Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence PusIfc LxDaxn.1
WAsurNnro~ Mech 3 1

EAeoutlVe NOmmittee at Nashville
bring back glowing accounts of their
prospects next summer and fall.
General Whitthorne, the member Of
the Congressional committee of the
Democratic party fof Tennessee, has
gone home, and when he returns we
will have all Of both sides. What the
Hons. L. c. Houk and w. G. Whit
thorne do not know about politics is
not worth worrying about. They are
not only good politicians but clever
gentlemen, and are duly appreciated
by their party. II the Republicans
can 6nd out what "Whit." wants
them to do aud then will do the other
thing they viii win.
There are no new developments in
regard to the Memphis postofice. l
do not look for any very soon. Sena-
tor Harris honestly believes that Mrs.
Thompson is more sinned against
than SHINING, and will die in
the last ditch before she shall be
turned out upon the charges pre-
ferred. As the Senate is equally
divided as to politics and largely one
sided upon courtesy" l am inclined
to the opinion hat the President don't
do it because he cannot see how it is
to be done. There is No question but
what he wishes to oblige Mr.. Moore
and the other Southern delegates who
are enlisted with him, but until Id
sees his way clear he will not act, l
think.
Hon. Casey Young is in the city.
He is looking exceedingly well. Casey
has a great many friends in Washing
ton.
The Mississippi river is attracting a
good deal of attention here, not only
on account Of the quantity of water
that it boasts of upon special occa-
sions, nor the damage that it inhicts
when on a swell. Captain Eads wishes
to get the contract to confne it in its
channel by means of l~evees, while
Colonel Cowdon vigorously asserts
that if he is allowed to tap it in a few
places that he can draw it of. Eads
ridicules Cowdon's plan and Cowdon
damns Eads' dams. Cowdon's plan
only requires an expenditure Of $780,
900 or 100000, while Eads' goes up
into the millions. l ana inclined to
the opinion that CowdOn will be
allowed to try his, and that Eads will
be put to work on a reduced scale.
Some time ago the Committee on
Public Buildings called upon the Sec
Rotary Of the Treasury to know why
the Memphis customhouse had not
been built. Architect Hill has Just
made his report to the Committee.
They declined TO allow your CORES
pondent to copy the document until it
was submitted to Congress, but kind
ly consented that he might read. |
give you the main points: The appro.
priation was made June 20, 1874
Work was delayed until May, 1877, or
account of the difficulty in securing a
title to the site. The foundation and
basement was completed in 1879. On
the 14th Of December, 1877, bids were
invited for the material. The lowest
bid for marble was sl6l ,497, aad for
sand stone $50, l25. Action upon these
bids was postponed at the request Of
some Of the leading citizens, and the
Hon. Casey Young, until May, 1873.
Congress not having taken any add
tional action up to this time, the con.
tract for sand stone was awarded to
one Schneider. 1t appears that Young
and Others continued their efforts TO
have it built Of marble, and on June
20. 1873, an act was passed authorizing
the marble to be substituted for sand
stone. This was a little over a month
after the contract was let, and it ap-
pears to your correspondent as the
Secretary had waited from December
to May on the leading citizens aud
Colonel Young, that he should have
delayed a little while longer, especially
as the effort to effect the change was
continuous.
This last act increased the limit Of
the appropriation $4,000, and also
provided that the cutting should be
done on the site Of the building.
Notice was Immediately given the con
tractor to suspend work in procuring
the sandstone. He t~hereupon agreed
to substitute marble for the additional
$685. 900 appropriated, and to waive all
damages by reason Of the RECESSION OIL
his contract.
Schneider's contract was S58, 125 fol
sandstone, $l05 per superficial foot
for ASHER, whatever that is, amount.
ing to $4,000, to which was added
$S5, 900 for difference between marble
and sandstone. Making a total O
Sl52, l25. This amount is $4,000 lesI
than the lowest bid for marble, il
response to the FIRST advertisement
On this account, and the further fac.
| II Il a.