The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-22
WASHINGTON.
Special to the Star
IN AID OF RIVER NAVIGATION

in AID OF RIVER NAVIGATION.
WAsHINGToN, Nov. 22-The Secretary of
War in June last appointed a commission
to meet at St. Louis and consider the ques-
tion of the best mode of improving the low
water navigation of the Mississippi River
from the mouth to the source Gen. Glib
son, of Louisiana, has recently represented
to the department that a permanent levee
system is essential to successful prosecution
of this policy for improving the lower por-
ton of the river. Gen. Gibson urges that
different methods must be employed, under
the power to regulate commerce, to
improve and aid navigation on the
Lower Mississippi, from what is done on
the sea and lake coast and upper river, and
that the best mode.for each locality must
be adopted On the sea coast the Govern
ment builds lighthouses, improves harbors,
and builds sheltering piers and breakwaters,
On the upper rivers the system of aid to
commerce adopted is to have canals around
distractions, to build dams and dikes, and
TO remove rocks by blasting. On the Lower
Mississippi large commerce is performed
by lalboats, barges and steamers, without
any protection. The great overdows, ex-
tending the river fifty miles wide, endan-
ger this commerce and force it to
adopt expensive modes of transportation by
steam. The overfows, by changing the
channels, render even steam perilous.
Levees here are as necessary as lighthouses
and piers on the coast. In accordance with
these suggestions, General Humphreys.
Chief of the Engineers LLreau, has issued
instructions to the board, inviting their at
tenton to The consideration of the effect of
pc manent levee system on the Misss-
sippi River below the mouth of the Ohio,
not only upon lis lowwaLer navigation, but
also the benefit it would confer III afford
ing protection and giving needed facilities
to shipping, commerce and navigation in
the high stages of the river.
MARSHAL JACK WHARTON
1t has lately been reported that charges
have been filed at the Department of JUS
tice against Marshal Wharton, Of Louisiana,
and that he has been ordered to report in
this city. On inquiry at the department
both these statements were denied. 1t is
believed. however, hat a dead set is being
made against Colonel Wharton by some
Louisiana Republicans who want his place,
and complaints made verbally to the Presi-
dent.
Fighting for His Bitters.
National Associated Press to the Star.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-Mr. lIostetter, of
Pit:sburg, proprietor of the bitters of that
name, accompanied by Representative
d., ,fD
before the Commissioner of Internal Rev.
enue yesterday in favor of revoking the re-
cent order of the Commissioner recurring
that liquor tax be paid by such com
pounds. Mr.. Hostetter claims his bitters
is not beverage, but medicine. The Com
missioner reserved his decision, but the in
dcations are that he will revoke his decis-
ion.
The Committee Ola Appropriations.
The House Committee on Appropria ions
held its first meeting yesterday, a quorum
being in attendance. The bills to be first
considered are the Pension, Military Acad-
envy and Fertilization Bills, and these will
be assigned to Sub Committees at once.
The estimates for the next fiscal year are,
wi h bnt one or two exceptions, within the
appropriated by Congress for the
present fiscal year. The estimates for the
Post office Department are increased, owing
to the law requiring third-class matter to
be registered and The War Department is
% reimburse it fur clothing and
camp and garrison equipage issued to vel.
low fever sufferers. -Four members of the
Comm tee have failed to be returned to
the Forty-siXth COngress-Messrs. Foster,
Hale, Durham and Hewitt.
Isumbert Daily Congratulated.
WAsHINGToN, Nov. 22-The United
s ales Minister to Italy has informed the
Department of State that, in accordance
with instructions through the Department,
he has conveyed to King Humbert the con-
escape from assassination.
Must We Fight for That Oshkosh
Man?
The friends of the German from Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, recently arrested in Germany,
have applied to Secretary Evarts to inter
fere in his behalf.
Secretary Eyarts has instructed Minister
Taylor to investigate and report on the
case, and if interference is juslitiable the
Secretary will act accordingly.
As ." Extraditing Angel.
The Pullman Palace Car Company have
applied to the Secretary of State to aid !
hem in securing Angell's arrest and re-
urn 10 the United States. There being no
,xtradition treaty between this country
ma Portugal, whatever action the Secretary
nay conclude to take will be merely in
ormal. 1t is believed, however, that the .
Portuguese Government will take the ac-
ion of the Spanish Government in the case
If Tweed as a precedent and surrender |