Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-06-06
ST. PHILLIP CANAL
Full Text OF the Bill. as Passed the
House OF Representatives to
Repair the Mouth OF the
Mississippi.
Eight Millions of Dollars Appropriated
for the WOrk-The Canal to be Free
FOreYer-PrOVisiOns and Re-
strieii ns-EtC,

WASHINGTON, June 5.-The bill, as
passed, is as follows:
Section /. That ship-canal, to con-
meet the Mississippi river with the gulf
of Mexico, commencing at st. Vincent
point on the Mississippi river below Fort
81. Phillip, on the east side of said river,
and terminating at some convenient
point in Creton Pass in the gulf of Mex
leo, shall be constructed and maintained
under the supervision aud control of the
government of the United States; and
for this purpose the secretary Of war
shall cause to be ms de, in the most ex-
peditious manner, n thorough, detailed
and final survey aud location of said
canal. The survey and report of the
engineers assigned TO this duty shall ex-
hibit the complete plans and specifics-
tiOns of the work in the construction of
such survey, and the sum OF twenty
thousand dollars, or so much thereof as
may be necessary, is hereby appropri-
ated out of any funds in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated TO delray the eX-
penses of such survey.
Section ,. That the dimensions of said
canal shall not beless than two hundred
feet wide ct the bottom throughout the
trunk, and with not less than twenty
five feet In depth Of water, with guard
gates, waste weirs, locks, LIGHTHOUSES,
basins, bridges, and other erections and
fixtures az may be necessary for safe and
convenient navigation OF saii canal, and
that the location Of said canal snail be
thai Indicated IN the report of the en-
gineers.
Section 8. That the secretary of war
shall cause said canal to be made and
constructed through the lands indicated
in the report of the engineers.
Section 4. That said canal shall at ali
times, night and day, be given to the
free use and navigation of all vessels and
craft belonging to the United States or
any of its citizens, and, until otherwise
provided TO all nations in commercial
amity with the United States free from
toll or charger that after its completion
said canal shall be maintained in good
order and repairs at the expense OF the
United States, and operated under the
supervision of an officer TO be detailed by
the secretary of war for said duty and
under his orders, and said canal shall be
q military, naval, postal and public high
way connecting the Mississippi river and
gulf of Mexico: that the admiralty and
maritime Jurisdiction Of the United
States be extended and established over
said canal to the same extent as it ex-
lists over the navigable waters of the
United States connect thereby. The
secretary of war shall have the power to
establish all needful rules and regula-
tons not inconsistent with the laws of
the United States, concerning the use
and navigation thereof, and copy
thereof shall be fled in the office of the
United States district c0Trt of Louisiana,
aud printed copies of said rules shall be
framed and hung in conspicuous places
on board of ali canal and river tow-bOats,
as well as in the offices at either end of
the canal; also in the postofiice aud Gus
tomhouse ct New Orleans; provided that
congress may az any time revise or alb
rogate such rules.
Section 5. That no expenditures shall
be made or authorized for the construc-
tion of said Fort ST. Phillip canal until
valid title to the lands for the site of
said canal, as indicated in the report of
the engineers, including a strip of land
not less than one thousand wards on each
side Of said canal; and also, all such
lands as may be required foF the defen-
sive works by the United States. shall |
be vested in the United States, and until |
the State Of Louisiana shall cede its |
Jurisdiction over said lands for the con- |
stTuctiOn of said canal, and shall also /
duly release and relinquish to the United /
States the right to tax, or in any way |
assess said lands and property OF the |
United States that may be thereon dur |
Ing the time that the United States |
shall be or remain Ow ner thereof.
Section 9. That the total cost of said 4
canal shall not exceed eight million dol
lars, and no money shall be expended as
liability incurred by the United States
or construction until the entire work is
)ut under their control, In accordance
With this act, at such prices as to secure
be completion of the whole for a sum
II the aggregate Of not more than eight
million dollars, and the sum necessary
o complete said canal, not exceeding
aid sum Of eight million dollars, is here
" appropriated in installments of not
more than one-third of the aggregate
ost in any one year.
Section Z. That the secretary of war
hall, on receipt of survey report as
without unnecessary delay,
dvertise for bids to construct in such
newspapers as he may think sufficient;
nd be shall award the contract TO the
Owest bidder or bidders, who shall give
'ond with sureties 10 the satisfaction of
aid secretary that the work shall he
one according to the stipulati0ns OF said
Ontrsct. Provided, That no bid shall
e received except the same shall be ac-
with deposit with said sec
etaFy OF the sum OF fifteen thousand
ollars, which sum shall be forfeited to
he United States and paid into the
thereof in case such bidder fail
or a period of thirty days notice
hat his bid has been accepted, 10 make
he contract In accordance with the
erms Of his bid ana give security as re-
uired by this act. EroUided further,
hat the contractor or contractors shall
'erform their work according 70 the
llans aud specifications of the engineers
and under directions thereof;
md, PrOUidcd further, That said canal
hall be fully completed for use within
he period OF three years from the COM
nencement thereof, and that the entire
'Ost OF such canal shall not exceed the
um Of eight million dollars.
Section 3. That the United States re-
erve the right to modify the conditions
md terms OF the use Of said canal. or TO
amend, alter or repeal this act il the
public Interest shall hereafter REQUIRE il,