New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-16
BY TELEG R APH
CONGRESS.

WASHINGTON, July 15.-The bill for the
relief of James A. Buckner, collector Of
Louisville, passed and goes to the Presi-
dent.
The bill extending the Alabama claims
commission passed.
Consideration of the river and harbor
bill was resumed. The amendment of the
committee increasing the appropriation for
the improvement of the mouth of the Mis-
sissippi river from 100000 to $15O,00O was
agreed TO.
Amendments to authorize the following
surveys were then agreed to:
Dan river, from Clarksville, Virginia, via
Danville, to Danbury, North Carolina;
Staunton river, from Roanoke to BroOkville,
Virginia; Etowah river, Georgia, from
COoper's Iron Works to Canton, and through
branch of said river to the mouth of
Co0oper's Sandy Creek; for continuing the
survey of the Youghiogheny river. to con-
river to the head waters at the foot Of the
Allegheny mountains, thence by canal to
Cumberland, intersecting thTe the Chesa
peake and Ohio canal; survey to ascer-
tain the practicabiiity and cost of q water
route from the head of tide water on the
Patapsco river, Maryland, to the head
of tide water on the eastern branch
of Bladensburg, Maryland; survey
TO ascertain the practicability and
cest of cutting deep channel from the
10 wer anchorage of the Bay of Mobile to the
city of Mobile, Alabama; q survey to ascer-
tain the cost and practicability of Tt nov
ing the distractions in the WithlOcO' chez
river. Florida; an examination and survey
to ascertain the cost and prac ticability of
removing the obstructiOns at the entrance
of the harbor of Pensacola, Florida, and of
deepening the channel of Blackwater river,
between Pensacola and Milton, Florida;
for survey of the Roanake river. from
Weldon, North Carolina, to Clarksville.
Virginia; for q survey. estimate and report
of the cost of dyke from the upper end of
Bloody island, in the Mississippi river, op-
posite the city of St. Louis, to the wing
dam opposite Brooklyn, Illinois, and Of the
practicability and usefulness OF such dyke,
and tor improving said river and its har-
bors, and for the protection of the lands on
the east bank of said river against over
flow and the detection and abrasion of The
current of said river.
Mr. Norwood moved an amendment, ap-
propriating $4,000 for the improvement Of
the harbor of Brunswick, Georgia. Agreed
Mr., Robertson moved to increase the sp-
preparation for the improvement OF the
harbOr of Charleston, South Carolina, from
$40. 900 to $5O,00O. Rejected.
Mr.. Spencer moved to increase the appro-
priation for the improvement of the Ten
nessee river from $4,000 to $5O0OO. Re
jected.
Mr.. Edmunds, of Vermont, said as this
bill came frem the House, it appropriated
g., 5,a72S50. The Committee on Appropria-
tiOns reduced that amount by striking out
certain provisions to the extent OF about
100000, and than added various amend
ments increasing the bill to the ext-n of
about $936, 900, making an increase OF about
$50 600, as compared with the House bill.
Tho 70 ho1 6onorfa0 the COm mitt Aa0 on
Appropriations by reinstating all the pro-
visions of the House bill, which the Gem
mittee recommended to strike out and had
added other amendments which made the
sum total of the bill as it now stood about
| s., ,0OO, 600, and that was done in view of tho
| revised estimates of the engineers. The
| question with him was whether Congress, az
guardians of the public treasury, in spite OF
| the paramount necessity OF having the
! smallest appropriations possible this year,
| should appropriate SO much money by this
| bill. He submitted the following as SUD
| stitute for the bill:
Be it enacted, etc., That the sum of
| 81, ZOO, 900 is hereby appropriated for tho
| fiscal year ending June 30, 1877, to be ex-
| pended for the repairs, extension, preserva-
| ton and completion of works for tie I'M
provement of rivers and harbors, under the
direction of the Secretary of War; provided,
| that the Secretary of War is hereby author
1 lZc0 10 cause euCu expenditures W No Auuo
1 so as best to subserve the interests OF com
merce; and he is required to report to Con-
gress, at the opening of its December ses-
| sion, all expenditures made under the pro
| visions of this act, up to that time, in de-
tail.
| Mr.. Gordon, of Georgia, said he desired
to economize, and yet improve the rivers
begun. He spoke of the river and hsrbor
improvements in his own State. There was
| not single appropriation in that State
which could not have been doubled with
propriety. The Coosa river had only S4O-
900, whereas the engineers report called
for over $500, 900 for it. This river passed
through ircn beds rich enough and exten-
sive enough to furnish iron for the CONT
nent, and with coal enough contiguous to
smelt it. The Ocmulgee river, in the south
part of the State, brought down nearly one
fourth of the lumber exported from the
United States. He hoped his friend from
from Michigan would withdraw his motion
to instruct the committee to report the
House BILL and the House bill be accepted
now by non -concurring in all the amend
ments proposed by the Committee Cn Ap-
propriations or in committee of the whole.
Mr.. Ferry accepted the suggestion Of the
Senator from Georgia, and Withdrew his
motion.
No action.
The Judiciary Committee reported favor
ably on the bill to remove the political dis
abilities Of Reuben Davis, Of Mississippi.
Senate adjourned.
| House.
Mr.. Williams, of Michigan. introduced q
bill granting pension of $50 per month to
Mrs. Elizabeth Custer, widow OF the late
General Custer.
Mr.. Ferry. of Virginia, eulogized the
career of General Custer in the late war
| and hoped his side of the House would be
unanimous in paying this tribute to a brave
man. The bill was tn On passed without di-
| vision.
Mr.. Williams, of Michigan, also asked
leave to introduce bill granting q pension
of $50 q month to Manuel and Maria Gus.
, ter, father and mother of General Custer.
Mr.. Rusk, of Wisconsin, thought the bill
came before the House in Q very irregular
manner, and the bill should 60 the Com
} mlttee on Invalid Pensions.
Mr.. Cox, of New York, thought that the
, whole matter partook of q sad grarity.
Clusters death was irregular in many sad
ways, but whatever might be thought OF
, | the origin of the Indian war in which he
fell; whatever might be thought of the
, | War Department or of the commanders
over him, he asked the House not to hesi
tate q moment in giving relief to the
Q stricken family of q brave officer. That
| would be better than q mOnument-kinder
gentler, more becoming the American Con-
gress, and more consOnant to the feelings OF
the American people. He was glad to see the
gentleman from Virginia. Mr.. Ferry, who
fought in the civil war against Custer, urg-
ing the House to pay q just tribute to q
brave soldier. He hoped the gentleman
from Wisconsin, Mr.. Rusk, would make nc
L. A. l.: