New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-06
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.


WASHINGTON, Friday, June 5, 1874
The various engineering and Congressional pro-
iects for improving the navigation al the mouth OF
the Mississippi River brought 10 vote IN the
House to-day. after discussion that extended over
three DAYS. The main project the bill reported
by Mr. Hurlbut of Illinois, from the Committee on
Railroads and Canals, proposing TO authorize MI
James B. Eads, an engineer OF some reputation, 10
construct jettys for the purpose of contnIng and
deepening the channel through any OF the passes
that he mi ght select The cost OF this plan was SET
down in the bill as S110OOOO0. The secondary pro-
iect was in the shape of bill emanating from the
minority of the Committee champoned by MI Nc
Crary of Iowa. backed by the whole Louisiana dele
cation. II discarded the Eads or jetty proposition
and eubstituted for it the construction and main
tenance of the Fort St. Philip Ship Canal by
which communication with the Gulf of Mexico is to
he kent ND independently of the passes OF the great
river The third proposition was that OF MT Oar-
field of Ohio and to refer the whole SUBJECT 10
commission of three engineers, 10 be appointed oy
the Presdent--One from the army, one from the
navy. and one from civil life; the report OF TINS
commission to be submitted 10 Congress at It's next
session. Mr.. Garields substitute did not come
before the House direct VOTE but upon ulotioh
to reconsider the seconding of the previous question:
ON division by tellers there majority of two
Yeas and Nays it was defeated by majority of u.
Then came the test between the canal project and
the lefty proiect and Mr. McCrary had the satsfac.
ton of seeing his proposition preferred 10 tne phi OF
the Committee by majority OF o. ne Diu was
then passed by vote OF l4O TO 81. l. ne WoIh IL 10
he formed under the direction OF the secretary OF
War The canal is to be not less than 200 feet VIDE
at the bottom and % feet deep and IS 70 be open 10
the se of ali nations free of charge. The total cost
is not to exceed $500 600 and Is TO be fully com
Melted within three years from the beginning OF the
work The bill approprates S2V'VW 10 complete lne
surveys.
THE PROPOSED INvEsTIG ALTON OF CENTRAL
PACIFIC RAILROAD AFFAIRS.
REPRESENTATIVE Luttrell made further argument
before the House Committee Pacific Railroads TO-
day urging an investigation of the affairs OF the
Central Pacific Railroad and contract and finance
companies. He traversed a number of the state
ments of the railroad counsel, made last Friday,
concerning subsidies granted BY the Pacific States
and counties defended Brannan from the charge OF
unreliabity in the statements of his complaint on
which Luttrelrs resolution for investigation wac
partly based and called attention 70 the unanimous
vote of the California Legislature. and the
noise of the California press and people
demanding the proposed investigation. He SAID
he could produce hundreds of witnesses
in support of the charges provided an investigation
be ordered. He showed how readily the House last
Congress agreed TO an cation OF the Credit Mo-
blier and of the Union Pacific also that the Credit
Mobilier Committee of the last Congress reported
that further investigation into the Central Pacific
| contract and finance affairs was needed but could
| not then be had for lack of time Nj. Luttrell
therefore demanded that the investigation then be-
gun should be continued and completed in order 10
protect the interest of the Government and people
| and compel the Company to exhibit their books 10
see whether they had not been defrauded by
misapphcation of the subsidies granted. IL
! conclusion, Mr.. Luttrell warned the Com
mttee that the people of the country would hold
| them responsible If they failed TO recommend an
| investigation of the frauds the Government,
partially disclosed which could be wholly uIe arthed
/ by full exhibition of the books of the Railroad
| Company sealed and withheld from public
| view. II the Company was innocent. II would not
be harmed by the proposed investigation but If II
had not acted honestly with the United States the
facts should be plainly disclosed and proper remedies
applied for the protection OF the Government and
the people whose lands and subsidies had been mis-
appropriated. The Committee adjourned the
conclusion of Mr. Luttrells argument, without init
nation 10 their future action
NEW CAUSES OF DIsTREss IN LOUISIANA.
prominent citizen of New-Orlcans. writing 10
the Hon Mr. Conway, late superintendent of Edu-
cation in Louisiana. says, concerning additional
Affections endured by the people of that State, and
of expected troubles also that, whereas they have
so much water III the rivers aud bayOus AZ 20 flood
large portion of the State. those pnrtI us not Hooded
are suffering - much from drouih that all nope
VI lasiog er2ps thIs yeaI - $40. CoI- 49, S~s-