New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-14
BY TELEG GRAPH
CONGRESS.
Senate.

WAsHINTON, May l3.-The river and har-
Dor bill was read and referred to the Com
mittee on Commerce.
Mr.. West reported substitute for the
bill granting th6 right Of way through Ala
bama and Florida for railroads.
Mr.. Davis introduced bill to reimburse
West Virginia for losses during the war.
Notice was given that the Alabama con-
test between Spencer and Sykes will be
| called up on the twenty sixth.
Mr.. Window, of Minnesota, submitted
the following preamble and resolutions,
which he gave notice he would ask the Sen.
| ate to consider after the finance and civil
rights bill have been disposed of:
WHEREAS, Cheap and ample means for
the interchange of commodities between
different sections Of the country constitute
essential conditions Of national advance
ment and prosperity; and
Whereas. The select committee on trans
pOrtatiOn, after full investigation of the
subject, report that, in their Judgment
cheap transportation can be obtained only
through competition, under governmental
control, and operating through cheaper
means Of transport than are now pro-
vided, that such cheaper means of trans
port can be provided only by the con-
railroad, or by the improvement and
creation Of water routes, and that after
a most careful consideration OF the merits
of various proposed improvements, taking
into account the practicability and prOba-
bic advantage Of each, they have come to
the unanimous conclusion that the follow
ing are the most feasible and advantageous
channels of commerce to be created or i'm
proved by the national government, in case
Congress shall act on the subject, viz:
First-The Mississippi river.
SpcOn0-A cOntinnOna v1afor limo of ado.
quate capacity from the Mississippi river
to the city OF New York, via the Northern
lakes.
Third-A route adequate to the wants of
commerce through the central tier of
States, from the Mississippi river, via the
Ohio and Kanawha rivers, to a point in
West Virginia, and thence by canal and
slackwater, or by freight railroad, to
tidewater.
Fourth-A route from the Mississippi
river. via the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, to
q point in Alabama or Tennessee, and
thence by canal and slackwater, or by a
freight railroad, to the ocean; and
Whereas, The said committee express the
opinion that among other benefits and ad
vantages. the competition Of the system of
improvement suggested by them will effect
alpermanents reduction Of fifty per cent in
the cost OF transporting fourth class
treigbts from the valley of the Mississippi
river to the seab0ard, and q similar reduc-
ton in return treights, thereby insuring re-
Inuner2tive prices to the farmer Of the
West. cheaper food to the manufacturer
and laborer of the East and the cotton
planter of the South, the enhancement by
many hundreds of millions in the value of
Western and Southern lands, and large
increase in the expectation of cotton and
cereal products; and
. Whoroaa The roDOrt Of aai1 solacH corn-
mittee recommends that q careful survey
and estimates be made on such portions
of said routes as may be necessary to de-
ternine accurately the cost Of each, and to
enable Congress at its next session to enter
upon said system of improvements, if on
the completion Of such surveys and esti-
Inmates the same shall be deemed practi-
cable and expedient; therefore,
Resolred, That the Committee on Appro-
priatiOns be and hereby are instructed to
report amendments to the river and harbor
BILL making appropriations for completing
the survey and estimates tor each of the
improvements recommended by said select
committee upon the four routes indicated
in said report.
The preamble and resolutions were. on
Mr., WINDOWS motion, ordered to lie on the
table and be printed.
The committee OF the whole on the steam
boat bill amendments, liability Of owners,
characters of officers and mariners for life
and property, remains under jurisdiction.
The common law amendment, abolishing
compulsory pilotage, except as applied by
States to certain vessels, was adopted. This
amendment abolishes compulsory pilotage
on the coasting vessels. Licensed officers
of steamers must wear the uniform or bad &c
prescribed by the supervising inspector.
The bill was passed.