National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-25

Mr.. Ellis asked unanimous consent to Introduce
a Joint resolution recitng that the waters oil the
Mississippi river have risen TO the high-water
mark of 1874 at New Orleans, which is the highest
known in the flood annals'af the great river and
are rising between st. Louis and New Orleans
at the rate of two or three inches day; that the
appalling calamity of the overhowing of II city OF
300 900 souls is imminent involving great loss of
life and property and appropriating 100000. to be
Immediately available, to BIO expended in the dis
erection of the secretary OF war in preventing the
overflow of the city of New Orleans aud the coun-
try adjacent thereto.
Mr.. Dunn renewed his objection until he should
hear some explanation OF the resolution. He
wis he'd TO know by what sort of legerdeman the
committee on appropriations had leaped from the
Ohio river to the city of New Orleans, disregard
ing the appeals made by 100000 people In Arkan'
sas and Mississippi
used so glibly by the gentleman from Arkansas:
Tho object of the resolution was not for the relief
OF sufferers. but was to prevent what might DO
the appalling calamity of the age. The water OF
the river was up TO the top Of the levees, and
whenever the flood waters went over leyee that
the city of New Orleans and Il river sixteen feet
above The level of the city but dirt wall. The
calamity that must ensue II the waters rose higher
could not be depicted by human tongue. II would
be the calamity Of the age.
Mr. Dunn withdrew any objection but called
attention to the fact that N his district the Missis-
sippi river.was ninety miles wide. There was a
rise coming from the Missouri river. supplemented
by u great rise out OF the overflow OF the Ohio
river There were to-day in his district 10000 peo-
pie whose homes were Hooded
Mr. Rice objected to the resolution, saying that
It should BIO considered by the committee on ap-
Mr. Ellis appealed to MT Rice to Withdraw the
objection. predicting that II there was any delay
the house would be called upon to consider, not
an ounce of prevention but many pounds OF
cure. The city of New Orleans was doing all 1t
could to prevent tho catastrophe. but the state
legislature was not In session.
Mr Randall said that the resolution had been
Informally considered favorably by the commit
tee on appropriations; and in view Of this state.
ment Mr.. Rice withdrew the objection.
Mr. Beach and Mr.. York expressed their oppo
sition TO the resolution, but made no formal OBJ
Mr. Hunt said he had received a letter from one
of the engineers OF the Mississippi river commits.
sion predicting the greatest disaster that could
taken 10 prevent the overflow of the city of New
orleans. He hoped no one would object to the
resolution as a delay Of one day NIGH, cost the
government many times more tnun the PARRY
amount that was asked ior,
Mr. Oates, of Alabama, doubted the constitu-
| tional power Of congress TO appropriate public
money for the relief Of sufferers by Hood, fire. or
Mr.. Money moved to commit the resolutions to
| the committee on appropriations with instruc-
tions to that committee 10 report back imme-
dately resolution approprlating sjOO,OOO. to be
expended by the secretary OF war IN preventing
| the overflow of New Orleans, ana 10 relieve per-
| sons rendered destitute by the overflow OF the
| Mississippi river. Rejected.
| The Joint resolution was lost-ycas %, nays 1l5,
| but by unanimous consent IL was reintrOduced
by Mr.. Ellis. and referred to the committee ON
| appropriations. -
conference report on the senate resolution for the
addition ofslO,0OO to the senate contingent fund,
Agreed to-
confines the expenditure Of this sum 10 investiga
| tons previously ordered, and agreed 10 an
| amendment which confines the expenditure TO
IA NAV
| select committees.
Mr.. Randall FROM the committee on appropria.
tions reported back the hllle deficiency Dill, with
| senate amendments recommending concurrence
| in some and non concurrence in Others OF those
| amendments The recommendations were agreed
Under the call Of states the following bills were
| introduced apd referred;
| BY Mr.. Herbert: Providing that registers Of land
Offices shall not be allowed fees for correcting
| their own errors
BY Mr.. Seymour; Authorizing the erection OF
bridges over the nayigaOle rivers under certain
BY Mr., Perkins: Granting right of way through
the Indian territory to the Southern Kansas Rail
by Mr., Morrill, Provldnga uniform grade OF
rating for invalid pensions and nbolishing all dis
tinction on account OF rank in pensions hereafter
| granted.
BY Mr., Hoblitzel; To promote the efficiency oil
| the revenue marine service,
By Mr. HoltOn: Authorizing the building OF u
| bridge over the eastern branch Of the Potomac
| river
By MI, MOfse; lroNlulnB Tor the transmission OF
| correspondence by telegraph.
By Mr. Money! To secure cheaper correspond
ence by telegraph.
| BY Mir. Robinson: resolution calling on the
secretary of the treasury Tor copies of orders re-
| ports, &C.. relating TO the purchase OF site for u
! public building in Brooklyn, N. Y.
/ BY Mr.. Cox, Of New York resolution calling
on the secretary Of the navy for copies OF the pro-
Ceedngs Of courts martial in cases growing out
| of the collision of the PowhatAn and Druid
| BY Mr., socum (by request 10 regulate the car
| rage OF passengers by sea.
| BY Mr.. Hardy TO prevent the fraudulent re-
| use of empty cigar boxes,
Also, making honorably discharged soldiers el'