New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-16
A FRUITLESS DEBATE.
TEDIOUS DAY IN THE HousE--TACTlCs OF THE
MANAGERS oF TIE RIVER AND HARBOR BILL.

FRUITLESS DEBATE.
TEDIOUS DAY IN THE HoUSE--TACTIcs OF The
MANAGERS OF THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSEi
WASHINGTON. Feb 15-The House of Representa-
tves has spent most of the day in voting upon and
rejecting amendments to the River and Harbor bill,
and in irving to keep quorum together. The pro-
ceedings have not been of an edifying character
About fifty members most of them Democrats, re-
peatedly violated the rules of the House. and con-
Quoted themselves generally in manner more usual
| in ward primary than in any body pretending to
| possess deberative character
| The fat has gone forth that every amendment to
the bill designed to deprive it of any of its vicious
features is to be voted down. Throughout the day
| this fiat has been supreme. A number OF amend
| ments have been proposed which fair regard for
| the interests of the Government demanded should
be adopted. For example. amendments were pro-
posed by Mr.. Updearaf, of Iowa. MIR. Van VOorhis
| of New-York. and Mr.. s. S. Cox, of New.York. to
| provide that no part of the money appropriated
shall be expended in the improvement of any stream
| where private corporation N1lartered by State
has authority to levy tolls upef the commerce of
that stream until the said corporation shall re-
lnquish Its right to impose such tolls. In support
of these amendments it was shown that number
of tho streams for which large apprOpra-
tions are recommended are virtually under
tho control of private corporations. In West
Virginia, the Elk River aud the Little kanawha
River are both controlled by such corporations The
improvements made by these companies appear to
be Of little consequence and upon both OF them
largo sums of money have been expended by The
General Government. These facts were plainly set
forth by Mr. Cox Mr.. Townshend. Mr. Updegratf, OF
| Iowa. and Others; bat every amendment designed
TO prevent the expenditure Of the public money for
the benefit of private corporations was promptly
voted down. Not more than thirty or forty votes
were cast for any proposition intended to throw any
protection around the National Treasury.
Mr. Lounsberry, of New-York, offered amend
ment to strike out the appropriation OF $4,000 for
Flushing Bay, and advocated it on the ground that
he did not like to the trade in Little Neck CLANS
DESTROYED. Mr.. Chittenden found time to appeal TO
the conscences of members to strike out the useless
items, but No might a. well have. appealed to the
winds. Mr.. Chittenden also declared that he hoped
the River and Harbor bill would be defeated, even
if it's rejection should cause extra session. Mr..
Clymer of Pennsylvania, offered an amendment to
insert an item of $40 600 900 for the Improvement
of the KIskIminetas River in that State but after
some discussion he withdrew It, An unsuccessful
attempt was made to strike out an item OF $4,000
for the Improvement of the New River in W est Vr-
pinia stream which it will BE- utterly impractical
BILE to improve by expenditure 80 that Ii Will he
navgable for any craft drawing more than SIX
inches of water.
At six o'clock after the House had been IN session
seyen hours and had reached the siXty-foGrth item
in the bill, many of the members who had become
hungry and tired evinced disposition in favor OF
adjournment This was resented by Mr. Reagan,
who has charge of the bill. Mr. Atkins warned tue
House that, unless the bill should be disposed OF
without much further delay, the necessary business
of the session could not be completed before the
4th of March. and an extra session OF Congress
would be- the inevitable result Mr.. Atkins therefor
desired that a recess should be taken and
session be held tonight to dispose Of the bill. Mr..
Reagan would not agree to this. lie is not very
good parliamentary leader and s unable to hold his
followers together. 1t soon became apparent that
40 many members had gone away as to leave the
House without quorum. This point was promptly
made and for the next three hours no business was
done and the House renamed involved IN parlia-
mentary tangle from which there no means Of
escape except by recess or an adjournment.
There arc q good many members of the House who
appear to be unable to learn that no business can
ever be transacted when members have become as
tired and ill-tempered they were at o'clock this
evening; and therefore that the part OF wisdom Is
to allow a recess an adjournment. Dir. Reagan
did appear to realize this fact abont o'clock and
then agreed to a until tomorrow morning at
10 O'clock; but Mr.. Reagan was TOO late To have his
compromise accepted without struggle 1t was an
hour later before quorum could be prevailed upon
to vote on O motion for recess.
The friends of the bill were somewhat disheart-
eped at the end of the proceedings this evening and
there is considerable reason for their discourage
ment Other measures are pressing hard for action.
The prevailing sentiment of tho House is strongly
against extra session OF Congress, and unless TINS
disposition shall change even the River and Harbor
bill will not be allowed to block the way OF other
measures which all admit must receive at
1ention if an extra session to be avoided.
IL the opponents of the bill continue energetic and
determined they will probably be able TO dcfeat the
| be the passage Of bill apprOpriating five six
millions for public improvements to he expended at
the discretion of the Secretary of War upon such
rivers and harbOrs AZ he may consider of the great
| est importance to the commerce of the country.
Such bill passed some years ago, and the re-
suit was that the money appropriated was ali
nended upon necessary and useful improvements,
and the country was thus saved from an expei .di-
ture of several millions of dollars upon so-caed
yuhi have lpua