St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-19
THE RIVER AND HARBOR JOB.
Old Holman Hoodwinked Into Offering a
Peculiar Amendment-Tom Ochi1-
tree Attacks the lobby.

Peculiar Amendment-TOm Ochil-
tree Attacks the Lobby.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.-The house went
into a committee of the whole, Mr.. Ham
mond in the chair, on the river and harbor
bill. Under agreement half an hour was
divided among opponents Of the bill
Mr.. Bayne opposed the appointment of a
board of four civilians. two officers Of en-
gineers. and one of the officers of the coast
survey, on the ground that it was blow at
the engineer corps. He favored a board to
consist Of four officers of the engineer corps,
two civilians, and one officer of the coast
survey. He also opposed the appropriation
of 81, 900, 900 for the improvement Of
THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI.
The plan of the proposed improvement
was considered a failure, and the money
would be thrown away except so far as it
might be used to remove snags.
Mr.. Potter opposed any appropriation for
the Hennepiu canal. He said Illinois would
alone be benefited and the state was able to
construct the canal with her own wealth.
New York state, he said, had built and main
tanned the Erie canal.
Mr.. Young opposed the bill because appro-
prlations had not been made for certain bar
bors on the Mississippi river.
Mr.. Reed said the improvement Of the
Mississippi river if continued as asked By the
bill, would cost s15o,0OO. That's only the
beginning Of an annual expend diture, he con-
tinued, the extent of which is not known.
The pending amendment which was
offered as a substitute for the entire para
graph relative to the Galveston harbor was
adopted. 1t appropriates 100000 for the
improvement Of the
GALVESTON HARBoR
and directs the harbor board to proceed at
once to examine the plans, specifications and
estimates for the improvement, and report
to the secretary Of war for his approval. Mr..
Holman offered an amendment prohibiting
the expenditure of this appropriation until
the Galveston Wharf Co., City Land COM
pany, and Gulf, Colorado Il Santa Fe Rail-
road company snail have constructed pile
breakwater On the south side channel. Lost.
4 few moments later Mr.. Ochiitree rose to
4 question Of privilege When Mr.. Holman
had offered his amendment he had goue to
that gentleman and requested the name Of
the gentleman VINO had given him the iufor-
nation upon which be based his proposition
Mr.. Holman replied that twas man by the
name of Robert Alexander who had formerly
been a resident Of Galveston He (Ochiltree)
had used language that Alexander was q man
who had left tine country for his couutry's
good. Alexander was at the head of an
INFAMOUS LOBBY SCHEME
who had come here and attempted TO Gic-
tate.
Here Mr.. Post interrupted with point of
order that the gentleman was not stating a
question of privilege.
Mr.. Ochiltree--I want to make a state
meut which l can substantiate There is a
lobby here.
The Chair-The gentleman Is out Of order.
in goiug out of this room,'' continued
Mr.. Ochitree, ''that man (Alexauder) at
tackled me in the corridor Of the capitol and
told me in a threatening manner that he in
tended 10 meet me again for what had
said"
A voice-Let him meet you. Laughter
Il want to state further" Mr.. Ochiltree
went on, ''that am utterly indifferent as to
shielding myself, on the ground that am
ENTITLED TO PROTECTION
as a member Of the house. I am willing to
meet him or any one else" Laughter and
applause.
Mr.. Holman said he had offered his amend
ment at the request Of a gentleman who
seemed well Informed upon the subject
and whose name be believed was
Alexander. The proposition was fair upon
lis face and he (Holman) felt il his duty to
submit it TO the committee.
Mr.. Ochiliree-Nobody impugres your
motives. Nothing is farther from nv
thoughts, l have the most distinguished ap-
probation for the gentleman from Indiana
On motion OF Mr. Price the amendment
was adopted, increasing from Sl2. $40 to SOS
600 the appropriation for the harbor at Su-
per.or bay and tie harbor at ST. Louis bav.
Wisconsin. A large number Of amend
meuts were offered, but with Que or two
uuimportaut exceptions. voted down. On
motion Of Mr. StoCkslsEcr an amendment
was adopted authorizing the construction Of
4 bridge scross the Louisville aud Portland
canal, in the city OF Louisville. Pending
further action the committee rose and took a
r,.esss until 10 o'clock fo-mOrrOw