Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-28
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
OrJTCOuE OF THE OCTOBER CON-
YENTION.

VENIION.
An Interview With Col. James H. David
son--what is Being Done to Secure an
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Prospects of Success
---Cities Don't Pay Assessments---No
Money for the Des Moines Canal.
Learning yesterday that Col. Davidson,
one of the committee from the October
river improvement convention, who has been
in Washington working for the appropria-
ton contemplated, had returned home, we
dispatched reporter to his Office to inter-
view him.
He was found very busy at his desk,
buried, so to speak, in papers and cores
pondence that has accumulated during his
absence, but knowing that The GLOBE must
and aoill have the news, he submitted to an
interview substantially as follows:
Reporter-When did you return from
Washington?
Col. Davidson-Last night.
Rep.-Wel, now tell us all the latest news
about river improvements, prospects for an
appropriation, &C.?
Col. D,-There is not much of interest to
report. The subcommittee prepared, and
caused to be introduced, a bill appropriating
total of $2,OOO,OOO for this year for the
whole river, from St. Paul to New Orleans,
divided as to be applied in sections, in ac-
cordance with the estimates of the United
hot 900
towards the improvement of the river from
St. Paul to Montrose, and the committee
feel very hopeful that this much, if no more,
will be secured. The bill went to the COM
mittee on commerce in the House. It will
probably not be recommended as a separate
bill, but whatever amount is recommended
by the committee will be put into the gen
eral river and harbor bill and be reported
towards the latter part of the session.
Rep.-Have the subcommittee all gone
home?
COL D.-No sir, Mr.. Johnston and my
self concluded that we could not stay any
longer under the circumstances.
When the committee went to Washington
it was supposed that enough would be con,
tributed from the various corporations an6
towns interested to defray the actual expenses
of the committee, they to give their time
and services wholly free of charges. Sain
Paul, Saint Louis, and some other towns ant
steamboat companies responded promptly
but towns below Saint Louis, and man,
above, wholly refused to pay anything
The result was that after printing 2,OOt
Oft no al
age, postage, telegraphing and rent of i,
small parlor for the use of the committee
(only $3.50 per monthly we found ourselves
without funds to meet future expenses, ant
nearly all that had been contributed exhaust
ed. It was thought best therefore, for tw'
to go home, and leave the matter in charg
of Hon. Joseph Brown and Hon. John Ho
gan of st Louis They are still there, look
ing after the matter, and generously giving
their time and labors wholly without com
pensation, and without money enough lef
to pay their &C tiual expenses another month
Rep.-What do you think is the ultimat
prospect of success?
Col. Dive were very favorably receives
by the committee and by all members Q
Congress toswhom the subject was presented
and there is general sentiment favorable
liberal appropriation. The difficulty
that each M. G. wants some appropriate
for his particular locality, and the danger
that the Mississippi river proper will b
loaded down with small appropriations fo
it's tributaries until it practically kills til
whole thing. If members would only b
wise they could go in and get the main rive
improved and all the tributaries woul
naturally follow. The committee on commere
are at work now on the river and harbor bill an
I>,S,, %<>o
slider any rivers not now actually navigaabl
That cuts off good many creeks that hay
heretofore had from ten to fifteen thousan
dollars per annum.
Rep.-Is there anything else connecte
with this business of interest to the public
Col. d. prepared and caused to be il
troduced a bill, providing that the canal {
DesMoines should be forever free and plat
ing it under the control and direction of th
Secretary of war. That bill went to the con
mittee on railways and canals and
feel confident will be reported on favorab]
by the chief Of engineers and secretary
war, to whom it was sent by a sub-commi
tee for their suggestions, and l hope to see
reported favorably to the House. There hi
been no appropriation yet to meet the e,
pense of operating the canal, although IL
secretary of war asked for one last year an
also again this year.
The water is at present very low and the1
is no snow or ice anywhere on the river an
it looks as though the canal wou]
have to be used at the very opel
ing of navigation. If Congress does NJ
approprite sufficient to pay it's running e:
penses it will have to remain closed. Go
eminent has spent nearly $5,OOO,O0O to col
struct this grand work, but Congress seen
disposed to let it become utterly useless #
want of small appropriation to operate
It's entire cost per year is estimated by tt
engineer officer in charge to be $4,000, al
yet the last Congress neglected to make al
appropriation, and this one thus far h,
done nothing. just before leaving Washin
ton called on Gen. Park, assistant q
gineer) to learn the prospects for the openi1
and operation of the canal. He said Il
Engineer Department had not a dollar for
operation. I also called the attention
various members of Congress to the stu
ton, but there seems to be little dispositit
to do anything for the material interests
the country so long as political question
can be found to discuss. Messrs. Brow
and Hogan will try to impress the urge
necessity for prompt action with referen
to the canal upon the committee on appr
priations, and perhaps something may
done. The canal will be needed within lie
than thirty days from this date, and if
remains closed for want of on appropriate
to meet it's running expenses, the damage
commerce on the upper Mississippi will
immense.
This closed the interview.
THE COURTS.
District Court.
Before Judge Simons.
Albert Armstrong vs.. the Board of Cour