Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-27
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.

RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
Delegate Bcnnete lnvokimx tho Necessary
Red TaP~ ProceeaiAks Which Pree~dr
all Appropriations.
Delegate Bennett has been giving his at.
%.en,ion to the proposition for the improve.
ment of the Missouri river at Yankton, hut
meets with many difficulties. There having
been no survey of this portion of the river
is a serious obstacle to the speedy consum-
nation Of the work. 1t will first be neces-
sary to procure a special act ordering a sur
vey and appropriating money therefor.
After this survey is made the appropriation
for tue work must be put through congress-.
Delegate Bennett's first proceeding was to
address a communication to the secretary of
war upon the subject, accompanied by the
memorial adopted by the citizens of Yank-
ton. This communication was referred to
the chief of engineers and by him to Major
Suter, who has charge Of Missouri river
operations. The following are the endorse
ments made by these officials:
MAJOR Suffers ENDORSEMENT.
U. Engineer Office, ST. Louis, Mo, Jan.
IL. lSS0.-Respecttully returned to the
'hiet ot engineers. There is no ipfOtma-
tion In my Office concerning the condition
of the Missouri river at Yankton, Dakota.
the survey of the river 30 far as completed
,nly extending to Sioux City. Iowa. From
the general tenor Of the enclosed memorial.
and from general report. I infer that the
character of the improvement required. is
similar to those in progress at Vermilliop,
Sioux City, and other points along the riv-
er. think that the amoun asked for, viz
$4,000 will be none too much for the pur
pose. but no definite estimate could he made
without a man nf the locality. and other
needed Information. I have no funds In
my hands available for procuring this in
formation, as the balance of the %appropria-
tion for the survey of the Missouri river
will barely suffice to complete the maps of
the work already completed.
LSigned. CuAs. r SUTER.
Major of Engineers, U. s. A
GEN. wRIGHr's ENFORCEMENT.
Office Of Chief Of Eueiueers. Jan. 16. 1880
Respectfully returned to the Hon. secre-
tary of war. inviting attention to the fore
going endorsement OF Mel. G. r. Suter,
corps ofergineers, to whom it was referred.
It will ne seen that the survey of the Mis-
souri, river has not extended beyond
Sioux CITY, Iowa, and there are no funds
available for making the necessary surveys
upon which to base an estimate Of the cost
Of the required improvement at Yankton.
Msjnr Suter ia of the opinion, however,
hat the amount asked for-$25, OCO-wiii
not be too much for the purpose.
lSigned II. G. WRIGHT,
Chief of Engineers,
Brig. and Brevt. Maj. Gen. U. S. A.
THE sEcRETARY's LETTER.
Passing his opinion upon the foregoing
endorsements, the secretary of war wrote as
follows to Judge Bennett:
War Department, Washington CITY, Jan.
20, 1880. SIR-Acknowledging the receipt
f your letter, dated the 31st ult., enclosing
copy of resolutions, adopted at a meeting Of
he citizens of Yankton, Dakota, Dec. l6,
1879, in relation to the Improvement OF the
Missouri river at that place. and request
ng to be furnished with such information
IN regard to the matter as will enable you
20 bring the subject to the attention of con-
sress, I beg to enclose herewith a copy of
rsports Of the chief of engineers, and Major
Chas. R. Suter, corps of engineers, from
which it will be seen that the survey of the
Missouri river has not as yet been extended
hey ond Sioux City, Iowa. 1t appears that
here are no funds available for making the
necessary surveys upon which to base an
estimate of the cost ofthe required improve
ment at Yankton. Very respectfully, your
obedient servant.
ALEX. RAMSEY, Secretary of War.
To Hon. G. 6. BENNETT,
House of Representatives.
CONGRESSIONAL ORDER.
Upon receipt of these documents Delegate
Bennett drafted the following concurrent
resolution, which has been introduced in
the house:
Be it Tesolued hy tile House of Representa-.
tSues Of tile United States, the Senate concur.
ring, That the secretary of war be and he is
hereby directed to cause a survey to be
made, by the engineer corps of the United
| States army, of the Missouri river at Yank-
ton, territory Of Dakota, and report to con.
gress at the ee!liest day practicable, the ma.
lure of the improvement required, and the
estimated cost of the same. Ard there is
hereby appropriated out of any money in the
treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the
sum Of five hundred dollars to defrsy the
expense of such survey, or so much thereof
as may be necessary.
Here the matter rests for the present.
Delegate Bennett will follow up the subject
closely, though it is not probable that he
will be able to accomplish his object in
time for any improvement this season.
Jenkinson is shipping oysters by tx
press twice q week.