The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1876-10-28
WHO ISSUED THE ORDER.

During the hrst week in this month,
We we're told by Ju lge Woodward Of
Portland. that he was informed BY Col.
Wilson, U. s. Civil Engineer f'r the
works Of improvement on the Columbia
and Snake Rivers, that orders hal been
sent to him not to expcnd the sppropri.
ations for opening the Cascades, and
cleaning out the Snake River the pres
ent season. We thought then that such
an order must have been . mistake If
issued. We called the attention Of dele.
gate Fem from Idaho to the repor.
Of Woodward aud was Informed BY him
that just before his leaving Washington
be had An interview with Senator
Mitchell who informed him that he
should remain in Washington for some
days for the express object Of urging
and securing tho order for the com.
meucemeut Of these improvements, that
Of the Cascades forthwith, and that Of
the Snake River early the coming Win.
ter, while the water was at its low stage.
Mr.. Fem further informed US that sub.
sequently he saw the arrival of Senator
Mitchell announced in San Francisco
paper, with the statement that he had
procured the necessary order for the
expenditure Of these appropriations the
present year, aud beyond this Mr.. Fem
knew nothing Of what had trsnspired
since he left Washington, in regard 70
the matter. lie said however that
there was nothing in the law making
these appropriations that would justify
any, unreasonable delay in their expen.
diture. The Historian Of Oct. eth has
the following:
1--WE now hear ,ha, Col. Wilson has he- n
| ordered to discontinue the " ork Of imp-uv-
| ing the Wallamet river he has sl.o been
informed that the appropriation for the
| lCascade locks and canal 10 not avniiabl.
| that none OF the Other appropriations made
| hy ConRress for WallAmet aud Columbia
| rivers are At present svilAbie, excepting
for the lower W~ll"met and Columbia
rivers from Portland TO Astoria. Tbaf
work t seems 10 permitted to proceed"
The above corroborates the statement
of Judge Woodward 70 us.
The Astorian's language 10 that "the
appropriation made by Congress for the
Cascades locks aud canal is DOT avail
able tor this season." This would im.
ply that there was some provision in
the law that made the appropriation un.
available this season. which Mr.. Fem
assures ,,s is not 80. We hope no exec.
utive officer is taking the bit iu his teeth
and seeking to delay this improvement
at the instance Of parties opposed 70
the measure. 1t would be opportuue
for Senator Mitchell. who bad this mat
ter in special charge to speak out upon
this matter Of delay aud set the public
mind 1T rest upon the question. There
are too many people interested in this
matter Tor sileuce to be long nsin tsipcd
by those knowing the facts in the case.
Let us have something authentic
Since writing tho sbove We learn by
the Watchmon that work on the upper
Un,atilla rapids Of the Columbia was to
be commenced the preIent week. If
this be 30. it disproves 40 much Of the
Astorian's assertion as says: "That
none If the other appropriations made
by Congress for Wsllamet and Columbia
rivers are 1t present available, excepting
for the lower Wallamet aud Columbia
riysrs from Portland Sct Astoria" y