The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-16
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS
The Senate Continues Its Consideration
of the River and Harbor Bill.
A Proposition to Reduce the Appropriation
Is Per Cent Brings on Bitter Debate
Between Senators Plumb and C0nger.
THE SENATE.
The River and Harbor Bnl-AcrimoEious
Talk by Plumb and Conger.

Mr.. Hoar. on behalf of himself aud Senator
Frye, presented the dissenting views of the
minority; Mr.. Evarts made separate report,
presenting the views of himself and Messrs Tel
Ter and Logan. All the reports were ordered
printed in one document and were placed on the
calendar, to be called up at any time as privi-
legged matter.
1t appearing that there was no quorum pres
est, the roll was called, and forty six Senators.
more than q quorum, answered to their names.
Mr.. Conger, from the committee on commerce,
reported bill to authorize the construction of
bridges across the Tennessee and Cumberland
rivers by the Ohio Valley Railroad Company.
Placed on the calendar
Mr.. Logan asked leave to call up the joint reso-
luton authorizing the Secretary of War to ac-
cept deed and conveyance of the land known
as Highwood, In Lake county, Illinois twenty
Ave miles north of Chicago containing 500 acres,
for military purposes. Mr.. Logan explained
that it had been purchased for $50, 900 by the
Commercial Club, of Chicago. and rendered to
the government.
Mr. Beck objected.
Mr. Logan gave notice that he would call it up
at future date
Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, offered resolution that
inaugural addresses, annual messages. and such
special messages rs may be deemed of general
a
United States, be arranged in chronological
order and printed as a Senate document Re-
fcrred to the committee on printing.
Mr. Allison submitted a conference report on
the legislative appropriation bill. The com
mittee has agreed upon all points in dispute be-
tween the two houses, except as to the following
Clerks for Senators not chairmen of committees,
salary Of the assistant treasurer at Baltimore,
appropriations for three clerks for the Civil
service Commission, and relating TO compensa-
oil
The Senate still further insisted its disagree
ment with the House on these points
The Senate resumed consideration of the river
and harhor appropriation bill, the amendments
adopted in committee of the whole being the
first to be disposed Of The first point
on which there was a division was on
an amendment. offered originally by Mr.. In
gals, to the items for the Mississippi river. pro-
viding that the portion of the appropriation for
Plum Point and Lake Providence reaches be
confined to the complete repair and maintenance
of the levees throughout such reaches to a
height of two feet above the flood OF 1882. and to
completion of the perineable works The amend
ment was adopted
Tha next question was the amendment orig
inally offered by Mr. Harrison, on the same
theme, to add to tine proviso authorizing the
Commission to repair and build levees the words:
"If necessary to the navigation and commerce of
the river, to close I'M furious crevasses or out
lots.
Mr. Gibson argued against the amendment
an nsidious attack upon or an attempt to con-
denim, the Misssisspp-river Commission
Mr. Harrison advocated the amendment, and
said the intention TO present the question
whether the Senate would authorize the Missis
sippi-riyer Commission to enter upon General
system of leveeing the Mississippi river from its
mouth to Cairo.
Pending the debate on this question, the
House joint resolution extending the temporary
provision for expenses of the government to
July 81 was presented to the Senate and passed.
Mr. Harrison's amendment was agreed to.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Hale, striking
out Section 2, which leGislated against dumping
refuse matter in harbors, rivers or tributary
waters, next came up Instead of the section
struck cut had been inserted. motion of Mr..
Conger, provision authorizing the Secretary
of War TO establish harbor lines and establish
ing limits where deposits of debris from the
mines or stamp works can be made without in
jury to navigation. The question strik-
ing out and inserting. Agreed to-
The amendments striking out Sections 3. a, ..
6. and IL were all agreed to. All amendments
agreed to by the Senate in committee of the
whole having been disposed of, the whole bill
was open for argument
Mr. Edmunds moved to strike out the clause
directing the Secretary of War to ascertain the
value and commercial importance Of the works
and property OF the Green and Barren River Nav
igation Company in Kentucky, and of the Monon-
gahela Navigation Company in Pennsylvania,
provided that this survey shall not be construed
as committing Congress TO purchase such works.
The motion was advocated by Messrs. Edinunds
and Vest, aud resisted by Messrs. Kenna and
Beck. 1t was rejected-yeas p, nays 26.
Mr. Edmunds moved to strike out the clause
accepting the Muskingum river Improvement
from the State of Ohio.
Mr.. Sherman argued strongly against the mo-
ton. 1t was free and generous gift to the gov
erpment. with view of making it's toll free.
Mr. Edmunds said it was an implied obligation
on the government to maintain this improve
rnent forever.
Mr.. George said he could find no such obliga-
ton in the grant.
The motion to strike out was rejected-yeas
II, nays 81.
sons motion to strike out the Harrison amend
ment to the Mississippi sectun, said he had
learned from Mr.. Brown that he understood they
were paired on these questions. He therefore
moved to reconsider the vote by which that mo-
ton to strike out was rejected by tie vote. Mr.
Teller having voted in the negative. The vote
reconsidered and the matter again came
up for action. The question was then taken on
the Gibson motion to strike out the Harrison
amendment, which was agreed to-yeas 81,
nays 20.
Mr.. Logan moved to increase the appronria-
ton for the Illinois river from 3d. 900 to $I5 600
Adopted.
Mr.. Plumb moved, as an additional section
that the Secretary Of War report the names and
residences of civilian engineers employed in the
work OF river and harbor improvements He
remarked that the reason for the amendment
that civil engineers were doing the work,
while the army engineers were loafing around
Adopted
Mr.. Mcmillan. chairman of the committee on
commerce moved IT. strike out oil after the
enacting clause IA the BILL and insert all items
now IN the bill, except that in each case the
amount be reduced 25 per cent. He explained
that the amount of the House bill. in round
numbers, was $i5 000, 0C0 the amount reported
by the committee commerce was $l8 900 600;
the amount agreed to by the Senate in commit
see Of the whole was $60O0O more, and the
amount, under the proposed % per cent rsduc
ton, would be $l4 000 O00
An extended discussion followed Mr. Nc
MILAN said he submitted his substitute by direc-
ton OF the committee on commerce, and hs and
other members of the committee, during the dis
cnssion which followed. explained that they per-
sonally, and amaiority of the committee favored
fha IAnci cAnn ..aA