National Republican., 1883-03-02

ard and Beck. an announcement that was re-
coivcd with laughter by tlicdemocratic side.
In view Of the adoption Of an amendment
offered by Mr.. Dwight, of New York, reducing
the appropriation for improving st. Anthony's
falls, Minnesota, from $4,000 to $1,000, Mr..
Washburne, of Minnesota, moved TO strike out
the whole clause which motion was agreed TO.
The item relative TO the Mississippi river
having been reached Mr. Robinson, of Massa-
Chusetts offered an amendment prohibiting
the further construction or repair of levees,
excepting in tho performance Of existing
contracts.
In opposing the amendment Mr. Hatch, of
Missouri referred TO the benefits which the
east had received from the federal treasury,
and said that the young west had grown
strong and now knew her rights. and in the
future dared maintain them and that, not
withstanding the clamor of subsidized press
and subsidized representatives, IL IL would be
necessary TO build granite wall from St.
Paul to New Orleans, in the name of the pco-
pie Of the west, he told the house that Il
would be done.
Mr.. Burrows onergetcally opposed tho
lovoo system, believing that the building of
levccs was not essential TO the improvement
of the river.
He was constantly interrupted with much
warmth by Mcssrs King, Gibson, and Ellis
Of Louisian, who denied the correctness of his
statements.
NIL luNUlWb uutdkonlEth llt amendments
as tying the hands of the Mississippi commits.
sion Common fairness and commercial inn
portanco demand that the commission, strug-
Cling with one of tho grandcst questions
which ever engaged the mind of the scientific
world should be allowed TO go on with its
hands loose.
Mr.. Butterworth opposed the lcvco scheme
until further experiment should show their
utility, and Mr.. Gibson called attention TO the
fact that there was nothing In the bill au-
thorZing the construction of leyCcs.
Mr.. Butterworth went on say that though
levces might be built with the avowed pur-
pose of improving navigation, the incidental
protection of riparian lands was the alternate
object.
Mr.. Gibson. The gentleman does not state that
Mi. Bulterworth. want not only to be fair but
Literally just in this matter. SO far from opposing
the levee system, II actual experience viii DEM
onsirote that 1t will operate well, shall be glad
to favor 1t.
Mr.. Randall said that he was in favor of
making appropriations for the purpose of ex-
pcrimenting, to improve the navigation Of the
Mississippi until at last "a solution of the great
water problem should be found 1t was with
that intent he had favored the creation of tho
commission. If this commission did not nn-
! swer the purpose, after a fair trial, let il be
abolished. Then let some one else take the
| business in hand. Ho believed In congress
/
matter. He did not believe that congress
had power to appropriate money to recover
| alluval lands, but IL had the absolute power,
and should exercise IL, by proper appropria-
tions, TO secure the best navigation of the
river, and if the building of lcvCcs come us Il
necessary incident, congress could not help
| that.
Mr.. Morrison said that he was opposed to
the building of levecs for the reclamation of
| alluvial lands, and If that is what the amend
ment means / will vote for it. so will l."
came in chOruses from the Louisiana mcmbersl,
but If IL were necessary in order to improve
| the navigation of the Mississippi to build
levces to that extent, and that only, would
he favor'their being built. The commission
was good judge of what was proper-better
than the six or eight members who had been
sent down tho river on pleasure trip by the
| house. 1t was not commission elected in
order TO pool issues, or to protect certain in
terests, as some commissions had been, and
| he was in favor OF acting upon its recommend
ations. He said this although he was not
very partial to commissions, because he be-
| lieved that next to conference committees
they We're more prolific of personal jobs and
schemes for public plunder than any other
| legislative instrument that could be devised
| Applause and laughter on the democratic
side.
Mr.. Dunn moved TO amend Mr.. Robinson's
amendment by adding n proviso permitting
| the building of levees necessary for the i'm
provement of the navigation of the river.
| Agreed tor to 81.
Mr.. RobinsOn's amendment as amended was
| lost-39 to "a.
Mr.. Updegraff moved to strike out the en-
tire item Lost.
Mr. Burrows offered an amendment pro-
hibiting the building of levees from Cairo to
tho head of the passes. Lost-71 {, 10l.
The clause as finally agreed t. is as fol-
| lows:
Improving the Mississippi that the sum Of one
million five hundred thousand dollGrs be- and Is
hereby appropriated, or so much thercofas may
be necessary, out of any money in the treasury not
the Mississippi liver from the head of tho passes
| TO Cairo, including the harhors of New Orleans
Natchsz, Nicksbnrg, Memphis, and the reaches at
Plum Point and Lake Providence, and the defleC-
tion of the Red and Mississippi rivers from the
Atchaialaya river Aye hundred thousand dollars
from Cairo to the Illinois river including Alton
harbor and one hundred and Atty Thousand dol.
lars from the Illinois river TO the Des Mones
rapids, including Improvement OF Quincy bay !;
rection fthe secretary of war, in accordance with
| the plans, specifications, estimates, and recom-
Provided, That no portion OF the money hereby
appropriated shall be expended at any other point
than those herein specified.
The committee then rose.
The speaker announced the appointment of
Messrs. Steele, Townsend, and Sparks as men,
| bers of the board of visitors to West Point
| and of Messrs. Harmer, Updegratf, and Mills
as members of similar board to Annapolis.
Mr.. Moore, of Tennessee offered q rcsolu-
| tion calling on the secretary Of the interior
| for information as to the amount of Indian
| trust funds invested in Tennessee bonds, and
whether Tennessee has made any proposition
looking to their settlement. Referred
Then (at 530) the house took a recess until
| 1880 p. m.
EVENING SESSION.
| After the remarkable scene following the
remarks of Mr.. Van Voorhis which will be
found on the first page, the business of tho
house. the consideration of the river and
harbOr bill, was resumed
The following amendments were made;
On motion of Mr. Hoge. Appropriating $780,
900 for the improvement of the Monongahela
river.
On motion of Mr.. Hutchins, striking out
the clause providing that the appropriations
made by acts of 1873 and 1879 for improving
Harlem river be covered into the treasury.
On motion of Mr.. Bayne, directing the Sec
retaTy Of war to make such regulations as are
necessary to protect tho channels of rivers and
harbors from injury by the deposit of refuse
| or other matter.
On motion of Mr.. Lynch, providing that no
convict labor shall be employed upon the Inn
prOvements authorized,
Mr.. Jones, of New Jersey, offered an amend
ment appropriating 100000 for filling up
the Potomac flats. Ruled ont.
A large number of amendments were lost,
The committee then rose and reported tho
bill TO the house.
Mr.. Anderson moved 10 recommit the bill
| with instructions IN tha oOmmittpe ON COM