Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-14
FORTY-NINTK CONGRESS.
First Session.
WASHINGTON. July l3.

lutions of the convention of republican edi-
tors of Ohio, urging an investigation of the
charges AS to the election of Sc iator Payne.
Referred to the committee on privileges and
elections.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
of the calendar. The bill authorizing the
| final adjustment of the claims of foreign
steamship companies arising from the illegal
exaction of tonnage dues was called up and
again went over.
| The Senate then resumed the consideration
of the river and harbor appropriation bill, The
pending amendment being 10 strike out the
provision to prevent the dumping of debris
| from hydraulic mining into the Sacramento
or Feather rivers of California.
The subject was discussed by Messrs.
Dolph, Mitchell of Oregon, Stanford, Jones
of New, Teller and Ingalls,.
Question was taken on striking out provis-
ion directing legal proceedings to prevent the
dumping of debris in the Sacramento river.
| The provision was struck out.
The next important amendment in the bill
was To strike out the provision for the im
prOvement of the Mississippi river and insert
those reported by the committee on com
merce. The whole amount of the apprOpria-
tion for the various sections of the river is
| 81, $50, 900
to amend the provision authorizing the repair
and building of levees, by adding the words
but not below the reaches of the river which
are being improved by them unless necessary
| to prevent or close An injurious crevasse."
Mr.. Gibson opposed the amendment as
being at variance with the Judgment OF the
committee. After discussion the amendment
was adopted and then the amendment report
ed by the committee was adopted.
Mr.. Hale moved TO strike out section two
which declares il unlawful to empty or un.
load ballast, store rubbish and refuse, or mill
waste of any kind into any port, roadstead
hsrbor, haven, Davigable rivers, or other
waters of the United States, for the improve
ment tor which Congress has made or may
make an appropriation, or into any tributaries
thereof. This, he said, was exercising Juris'
diction never attempted before. He was not
prepared to go TO any such extent; something
had to be left to the States.
Mr.. Butler suggested that the motion to
strike out be extended to sections from two to
nine. They all applied to the same subject.
| Mr. Hale assented to the suggestion.
Mr.. Teller suppnrted Mr.. Hale's motion,
and characterized the proposed legislation ss
most extraordinary.
Mr.. Conger defended the proposed legisla.
ton.
Mr.. Hale denounced the proposed legsla.
tion which he said was like a devil fish tor il
reached out its arms and tore and mangled
every strip OF state jurisdiction that was left
over the internal waters.
MIR. Edmunds said he would vote to strike
out all these sections as being out of place
in an appropriation bill, but would favor an
independent bill to punish persons for OBJ.
structing a navsgable river of the United
| ,rbt aLa 10
it were so foolish) to toss biscuit into the
bay of New York, but it could not make it a
crime to toss a biscuit into the little stream
near which he lived in Vermont. This leg
islation was far beyond not only the consttu-
tiopal power Of Congress but beyond what
was just and necessary for public safety.
On motion of Mr.. Hoar the words ''to sub
stantial injury of navigation" were inserted
in the section.
MIR. Hale's motion to strike out the second
section was postponed till after the commit
| tee amendments were disposed of,
An item of S25 ZOO was inserted for the
breakwater at Gardiner landing, Lake
Champlain.
| Mr.. Hale renewed his motion to strike out
section and it was agreed to-yeas 27, nays
| A.
! Mr.. Hale made like motion to strike ou,
sections 3, 1, 5. 6, and IL, to the same gen.
eral effect as section 2, and they were all
! stricken out.
! On motion of Mr.. Conger a provision was
| inserted, authorizing the secretary of war to
establish harbor lines in places where they
had not been established and also to establish
lines within which deposits of material may
be made without injury to navigation. The
bill being completed in committee Of the
whole was re orted to the Senate.
! Without action on the amendments, the
Senate, at midnight, adjourned.