The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-14
A Favorable Report on the Bill for
the Survey Of the Mississippi.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
A FAIR PROSPECT FOR ITS PASSAGE.
S175,0OO to be Appropriated for Pre-
liminary Work.
Especial to the Democrat

WASHINGTON, MAY l0s-OHuIScOuIdkeu Wy
repeated failures In the last two years, our
delegation has tackled the levee question
again, and this morning the committee agreed
unanimously to report Gibson's bill, intro
duced last Saturday. This bill Is similar In
general theory to the bill which passed the
House last session at too late an hour to be
reached for consideration In the Senate, and
therefore fell between the two houses.
1t provides for the appointment Of per-
manent commission, consisting OF three army
engineers and two civilians. The duties OF the
commission are described In sections 8 and
OF the bill as follows:
1t shall be the duty OF said commission to
direct and complete such surveys Of said
river, from the head Of the passes TO the head
waters, as may now be In progress, and to
make such additional surveys, examinations
and Investigations, Typographical, hydro
graphical and hydrometrfcal, OF said river
and tributaries as may be deemed necessary
by said commission to carry out the objects Of
this act, and to enable the commission to
complete such surveys. examinations and in
vestigations the Secretary OF War shall detail
from the engineer corps OF the army such
officers and men, and shall place In the charge
of said commission such vessels, machinery
and instruments as may be deemed necessary,
and said commission may, with the approval
of the Secretary OF War, employ such addi-
tional force and assistants as may be necessa-
~. It shall be the duty OF said commission
to take into consideration and mature
such plan or plans and estimates as will cor
rect, permanently locate and deepen the
channel and protect the banks OF the Mis-
sissippi river, improve and give safety and
ease to the navigation thereof, prevent de-
structive floods, promote and facilitate Its
commerce, trade and postal service, and
when 80 prepared and matured to submit to
the Secretary Of War a full and detailed re-
port OF the proceedings and actions OF such
plan or plans, with an estimate OF the cost
thereof, as may be approved by. them, for
the purposes aforesaid, to be by him trans
mitted to Congress; provided, that the COM
mission shall report In full upon the practi-
cability, feasibility and probable cost OF the
various plans known as the jetty system,
levee system and outlet system, as well as
upon such others as they deem necessary.a
The bill appropriates $175,00o for the i'm
mediate expense Of the commission.
WHAT THE JOINT CAUCUS WAS EXPECTED
TODO.
The joint caucus subcommittee met to-
night to decide on what course the Demo-
Gratis shall pursue. At the meeting three
propositions will be submitted. First, to take
no further action whatever on the army bill,
leaving 1t In It's present position; second, to
take up the bill again. strike off the political
sections and pass 1t, with the provision that
no expense Of sending troops to preserve the
United States government; third, to pass the
bill naked or without any riders whatever.
A programme relating to the legislative
bill will be considered also. The bill is to be
passed by the Senate as it came from the
House, and If the President vetoes it q propo-
bill lie over until next December, and In the
meantime the appropriations for continuing
the general government departments In the
bill will be allowed togo on. This latter mat
ter will be considered by the caucus commit
tee tonight, who will report to q joint caucus
tomorrow morning.
NO CAUCUS MEETING AFTER ALL.
LATER.-The Democratic Caucus Commit
tee did not have a meeting tonight, as was
intended and 1t is not probable now that any
caucus will be- held until next week. They do
not think it advisable to caucus until the leg
iSlative bill is out CT the way. Meantime
prominent Democrats refuse to indicate what
course OF action they will pursue.
THE NEW LEvEE BILL.
The House Committee on Levees and I'm
provements Of the Mississippi River have
completed a new bill for levee commission,
and the chairman 1s to report 1t at the ear
lest opportunity. The bill is more compre-
and is framed with view Of avoiding the de-
fects which the debate on the first measure
developed.
VOTE ON THE ARMY BILL.
The vote on passing the army bill over the
veto was 127 yeas to 81 nays. The necessary
twO-thirds was not obtained and the bill
failed. All the Greenbackers voted to pass
the bill.
SENATOR HILLS LATE SPEECH.
The Post this morning contains the follow
fnr Ran AilPl Orpat Gnppnh cent off nv the
Washington agent OF the New York Assoc
ciated Press on Saturday night, Is unjust and
partisan In the extreme. The speech Of SEN
ator Conkling was telegraphed In full, whereas
only meagIe abstract of Mr.. Hills speech
was given. The speech Of Senator Chandler,
which followed, was sent off entire, and 1t Is
asserted we believe truthfulIy, that Mr..
Chandler visited the Associated Press rooms,
and was allowed to revise not only the report
Of his own speech, but that Of Mr.. Hill also.
OF the Associated Press will probably find 1t
to their interest and profit TO investigate the
truth OF this charge"
SITUATION IN THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
The reports from the Indian Territory
differ as to the number OF whites who
have recently moved In against the Presi.
dents proclamation. Gen. Pope is confident
that he can soon move them all out, no mat
ter how many there are OF them.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS.
The Postofice Committee has completed a
Few post route bill, and will report as soon as
the committee is called in the House.
THE QUESTION OF ADJOURNMENT.
The Ways and Means Committee to-day
postponed consideration OF the adjournment
resolution until next Tuesday.
Prominent Democrats say both appropria-
ton bills will be passed In shape to secure
the Presidents approval before adjournment
is had.
THE WARNER SILVER BILL.
Mr.. Warner says he does not think It posi-
Bile to reach vote on his silver bill to-day.
He will, however, at the earliest opportunity
Tomorrow demand the previous question
On 1t.
no AID FOR EMIGRATING NEGROES.
The House Committee on Appropriations