National Republican., 1883-03-01

appropriation for the harbor Of Chicago from
S75, 600 to S125,00O Lost.
Mr.. Van Voorhis offered proviso covering
into the treasury all unoxpended moneys APP
propriated by former river and harbor bills.
Lost.
Mr.. Burrows offered an amendment appro-
priating $4,000 for the improvement Of st.
Joseph, Mich, harbor, and the channel lead
ing to Benton harbor Lost.
The committee then rose, and Mr.. Page said
that he would ask the house to set the bill out
tonight.
Mr.. Bingham. chairman Of the committee
ON postoihccs and post roads, reported bill to
| adjust tho salaries of postmasters. House
calendar.
The speaker announced the appointment Of
the following members to attend. the cere-
monies of the unveiling of the statue of Jo-
scph Henry: Messrs. Wait, Aldrich, Brown,
Kasson. Gambler, Walker, Pettibone, Mcclure,
Cox Of New York, Rosecrans Knott, Tucker,
Curtin, Gibson, and Robeson.
Then, at $3.50, the house took recess until
7:30.
EVENING SESSION.
Mr.. shallcnbcrger, chairman Of tho COM
lhmittee on public buildings and grounds, re-
ported bill for the erection In Washington
of frs proof building to contain the records,
library, aud museum of the army medical de-
partment. Referred to the committee of the
whole.
On motion Of Mr. Rice, of Missouri, the
senate bill was passed appropriating 100000
| for the erection of public building at JEFF
ferson City, Mo.
On motion of Mr. Dezcndorf, a bill was
passed for the reappraisement Of tho steam
transport Planter, captured by Robert Smalls.
Tho house then lat ocloCk) resumed in
committee of the whole the consideration of
the river and harbor bill.
The item appropriating $1,000 for inprov-
| ing ChCescqnakcs creek gave rise TO the usual
! opposition, Mr.. Jones moving to strike IL out,
together with tho appropriations for Eliza
beth river and Mattawan creek. He con-
| tended In u dry, witty style that their COM
mcrco was of local Importance only. He had
once owned factory on Elizabeth river, and
he had never known a vessel 10 run up the
river in his life. If the country was to
dredgo these rivers and creeks for individual
benefit, let IL go on and build railways for the
benefit Of private individuals.
Mr.. Page earnestly defended the action Of
the committee on commerce in recommending
these appropriations.
Mr.. Harris asserted. and read statistics to
| provo his assertion, that the commerce Of
Cheesequakes creek was not only national,
but international in its character Properly
speaking il was no more creek than Hamp-
ton road was n turnpike.
Mr. Washburn said that there was sys-
tematic effort on the part of the New York
press to blackguard these river and harbor
improvements out of existence. All this
clamor about these creeks and macadamiZed
streams was q mere dclusion. The people Of
New York did not want TO see tho Mississippi
river improvement which was opening up the
commerce of the west.
Mr.. Cox. / deny that statement.
Mr.. Washburn asked tho house not to be
bulldozcd and blackguarded out of making
the necessary improvements.
Mr.. Belford then made short and impas
stoned speech in favor of internal improve
ments, and at its conclusion a deep "amen
from the democratic side elected u shout o
laughter.
The debate continued for half an hour, ant
as the house was in I'm excellent humor, ant
applauded and laughed, tho speakers cncour
aging them with cries of "go ahead" or dis
couraging them with the advice to "sit down,
or with shouts of "vote," there was mucl
confusion in the chamber.
The motion was finally lost.
From $3.50 till IL o'clock but little progres
was made in the bill, and no amendment
were adopted. But every small item prove'
} stumbling block, for the opponents of tn
bill took advantage of IL TO make q motion :
strike out followed by demand for a quorum
in each case. As there was barely q quorum
present much time was wasted in each in
stance and the consideration of the bill wa
further delayed by the great disorder whic
characterized the deliberations of the com
mittee.
/ On motion of Mr.. Morcy of Ohio, an amend
{ ment was adopted providing that no NOR
, than $4,000 Of the amount appropriated 70
the improvement of the Ohio river shall b
expended on the Davis Island dam.
At 1915 the committee found itself withou
= quorum and rose, and the house adjourned