The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-03-19
FROM WASHINGTON.
Cheap Transportation New Ciyii
Rights BiIl, Etc.

Cheap Transp0rtRtion-The New Ciyii
Rights Biii, Etc.
Tn the senate, Mr.. Ramsey called up
the resolution introduced by him in re-
gard to cheap transportation and adj
dressed the senate in favor thereof. He
said there were three practical ways OF
obtaining cheap transportation First,
by improving the navigation of the Mis-
sissippi river from the Falls. Of st. An.
thony to the Gulf of Mexico, which
could be easily and chcaply done, first
by damniug up the waters OF the lakes
in Upper Minnesota, storing it for the
dry season and so obtaining a uniform
depth of five feet for the Upper Missis-
sippi river, by continuing the other
improvements now under way, and by
deepening the channel between New Or
leans and the Gulf. These would give
cheap freight by barge to New Orleans
and by steamers to Europe. Second,
by deepening the channels between the
lakes, and but small appropriation
from the United States would be re-
quired for this. purpose, as Canada
would do the rest, and under the reci-
procity treaty all ships could be loaded
at Duluth for Liverpool, and so have
two complete water ways. Third, all
the western states are not so favorably
situated as Missouri, with two water
routes to Europe. The western states
want and must have all rail route for
freight. The constitutional right to
charter and aid such work is undoubted.
We need reforms in present roads, and
Il double track freight railroad, char
tered and controlled by congress, with
maximum rates of six mills ton per
mile. This was practicable, and with
such a road competing with the water
way, by river and the lakes, would give
the west what alone should supply ac-
cess to the markets OF the world to the
products of her folds now rotting in
her granaries or burning for fuel.
The senate Judiciary committee has
agreed to report the civil rights bill
substantially as reported by Mr.. sum
ner, securing to negroes equal privile-
ges in inns, theaters, public conveyan-
ces, schools, cemeteries and benevolent
institutions supported in whole or in
part at the pub ic expense. There is
also an amendment designed to make
this bill more rigorous in its legal ma
chinery.
The president has sent message to
the house enclosing communications
from the various departments, in reply
to tho inquiry whether expenses had
been increased by them for transporta-
Lion of any matter which, before the al
tcration OF the iranking privilege, was
carried in the mails. 1t appears that
expenses of $225 per month, incurred
by the signal bureau in forwarding sup
plies to stations and expenditures about
1920 by the navy department, will cover
the increase.
The civil service committee has agreed
TO report the following bill to the
house with favorable recommendations
That no officer of the United States
shall directly or indirectly receive for
lis own use or benefit any money or
whatever of the United States,
except his salary to be fixed by law,
md that no public property shall be
used by officials or by any person for
private purposes. That this act shall
not be construed as to prevent tho pay
ment from the treasury Of all actual and
necessary travelling expenses of United
States officials when performing the le-
climate and necessary duties pertain
ng to their office.
The charges formally presented in the !
louse by the speaker affecting the Off
,ial and pers onal character of Gen.
Baker, commissioner of pensions, were
made by Mrs, Helen L. Bernard, who
wants them examined with view to !
They were referred to |
he committee on invalid pensions.
The commissioner of internal revenue |
las written letter to member Of con- !
,ress showing that the aggregate
of internal revenue collected |
rom September, 1862, when the inter
,al revenue laws just went into effect,
Up to Feb. 27, 1874, last month, is esti-
mated at 81, 762, 800, 900. OF this amount |
here is due from late collections g.
,25, l69, for the recovery of which suits
lave been begun.