Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-12
The Senate Works Off the River and Har.
Dor Appropriation Bill, after Making
Several Important Changes at
Various Points.
The Improvement Of the Mississippi Eli.
cts Considerable Discussion - The
Proposition to Appoint a Com.
mission to Direct the Work
Defeated.
In the House.

WASHINGTON, June ll.-Ihere was
good deal of noise and confusion this morn
Ing, and short, sharp discussion In regard to
the order of business.
Mr.. Atkins asked whether it would be In
order to suspend the rules and discharge the
committee of the whole from the further
consideration of the sundry civil bill and put
the bill on its passage.
The speaker announced that it would.
Mr.. Cox N. Y. said he would flibuster
against that motion to the end of the term.
Finally the house went into committee of
the whole, Mr.. Carlisle in the chair, on the
sundry civil appropriation bill.
The appropriation for the Albany postofice
was increased from fifty thousand to one
hundred and ninety five thousand dollars.
Mr.. Aldrich moved to increase the appro-
priatlon for the Chicago customhouse from
100000 to $3.50, 900. 1t would save to the
government, in the matter of rents; ETC., at
least 81 ,000, 900 within the next two years.
Mr.. Foster moved to fix the amount at
$4OO, 1000.
Mr.. Atkins said he had no hope of beating
any of the propositions for increase of APP
preparations, since he had learned that last
evening Mr.. Page had gone around carrying
a list OF names asking gentlemen to attend
meeting for the purpose. he supposed, of
forming a combination to put those appro
priations through.
Messrs. Harrison and Sayler denied all
knowledge of such meeting. Mr.. Durham
said he had heard of a combination. Mr..
Eden suggested that there had been good
deal said about getting rid of the sinking
fund, but he thought it would be gotten rid
of without much trouble if these big appro-
combina ion did exist its members were
alive. and should be trotted out and investi-
gated.
After further discussion, Mr.. Fosters prop
osition was agreed to, and Mr.. Aldr1ch's mo-
ton thus amended was adopted-S4 to rs.
Mr.. Brentano offered an amendment requir-
ing the supervising architect to finish the
parts of the building at Chicago to be used
by the distrl It and circuit courts, subtreas-
ury, and collectors of customs and internal
revenue, by the first of July, 1879. Adopted.
Mr.. Banning moved to increase the appro-
priation for the Cincinnati customhouse from
$500, 900 to 100000 Rejected-76 to "a.
The appropriation for building at Evans
vile, Indiana, was increased from 100000 to
$45, 900. The appropriation for building at
Grand Rapids, Michigan, was increased from
$40, 900 to $47, 900.
Mr.. Atkins yielded to the two preceding
amendments, stating that the principle of the
bill had been broken by the action of the
house in regard to the courthouse at Atlanta.
By its action the house had expressed its
wish that when buildings were nearly COM
priated for their completion.
Mr.. Boone opposed the doctrine of reliev
ing the labor OF the country 10y making large
for public buildings. Labor
could only be relieved by repeating the in
famous resumption law, by paying the five
twenty bonds in greenbacks, and by return
to national circulation. II that were not
enough he would issue greenbacks to an
amount sufficient to meet the wants and ne
cessitles of trade, even if it required one
million dollars to do so.
Mr.. Bayne offered an amendment author
izlng the construction of customhouse at
Plttsburg. Ruled out on point of order.
Mr.. Young offered an amendment provid
ing that the Memphis customhouse building
be constructed out of Tennessee marble, pro-
vlded that it shall cost no more than now pro.
vided for by law. Adopted.
Mr.. Cole offered an amendment increasing
the appropriation for the st. Louis custom
house from three hundred thousand to four
hundred thousand dollars. Rejected.
The committee then rose and the house
,ook recess till evening, the session to be
'or the consideration of reports from the COM
nittee on naval affairs.
In the Senate.
A large number of bills on the calendar
1ot objected to passed.
Senator Morrill, introduced an amendment |
% the sundry civil appropriation bill, appro-
oriating $3.50 900 for building for nation |
Il museum, and $3.50, 1000 for a grand stair |
way and terrace on the west front of the capt. |
al. Referred.
The senate then resumed consideration of |
unfinished business-the river and harbor sp- |
preparation bill-the pending question being |
IN amendment of the committee on appro-
,riations increasing the appropriation for |
he improvement of the mouth of Red river
rom $50, 900 to $150,0O0. Agreed to. Other
amendments of the committee were agreed
o as follows:
he Missouri river at Council Bluffs and
omaha.
Appropriating SO, 900 for improvement OF
he L'Angulle river, in Arkansas; and strik-
ng out of the house bill the appropriation of
;1OO, 600 for improving the White river above
acksonport, Arkansas, and removing snags,
wrecks and other distractions from that
liver.
The committee reported an amendment
roviding that $75, 900, out of the $24O, 900
pproprlated for the Improvement of the Mis-
lssippi river between the mouth of the Ohio
nd Illinois rivers, be expended for construct
ng a dam at Cahokia chute, opposite st.
.ouis. Agreed to.
Also an amendment appropriating $125,-
90 for improving the Mississippi river from
he bridge of the Chicago, Milwaukee and
t. Paul railroad company, above Lacrosse,
lsconsln, to the mouth of Root river, be- |
wv said city, and reducing the appropriation
Or improving the harbor at Fairport, mouth
Grand river, Ohio, from $I2, 900 to $4,000.
Other amendments reported by the COM
littee on appropriations were agreed to as
blows:
Appropriating $4,000 for continuing the
Improvement of the harbor at Dunkirk, New
ork.
Increasing the appropriation for the i'm
rovement OF the Mississippi river at and
ear Vlcksb1rg, Mississippi, and for protect
lg the harbor at Vicksburg, from $40, 900 to
81, 900.
For the improvement of the Missouri river
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, $13, 800.
For the Improvement of the Missouri river |
Sioux City, $4,000.
For continuing the surveys and examina-
on at South pass, Mississippi, river.
Senator Morrill, submitted an amendment
modify the last clause of the first section,
J follows. at shall be the duty of the Sec
'tary of war to apply the moneys herein ap-
ropriated, as far as may be by contract, ex-
,pt from specific estimate that cannot be ,
lade for particular work, or where in the
Idgment of the said secretary the work can
OF be contracted for at prices advantageous
} the government; and, except the appro-
riations made for examination and surveys,
lch contracts shall be made after sufficient
1bllc advertisement Tor proposals in such 6
rm and manner as the secretary of war
lall prescribe, and such contracts shall be
ade with the lowest responsible bidders .
lerefor, accompanied by such securities as
lie secretary of war shall require" Agreed
l..
The amendments of the committee pro-
ding for surveys of Saline river, Arkansas,
Id Kansas river from the mouth to juno
On City, Kansas, were agreed to without {
scussion.
Sections to 113 of the bill, which provide ]
r the appointment of three river improve :
ent commissioners, being the measures sub
tilted by Senator Cockrell some weeks ago, .
.ving been reached, he submitted various :
rbal amendments to perfect the text, which
ere agreed to.
Senator Burnside moved to strike out the
ctions named, and to insert instead thereof G
section providing for the appointment of a
mmission, to be composed of three senators, +
ur members of the house, and three off, Q