The Portland daily press., 1886-07-13

lending question being on, theis Hennepin
anal and Michigan and Illinois canal amend

pending question being on theit Hennepin
canal and Michigan and Illinois canal amend
ments.
Mr.. Allison argued in favor of the amend
ment He believed it to be as important
a. provision as there was in the bill.
Mr.. Frye inquired whether it would be
prudent or economical to buildsa canal only
so feet wide and seven feet deep, and with a
capacity to float vessel of no more than
$50 tons.
Mr.. Aldson replied unquestionably so, from
Chicago there was cheap. water communica-
tlon and it was expected that it would be
changed to bulk at Chicago.
Mr.. CullOm advocated the amendment and
gave some explanation in answer to ques-
tions of Mr.. Hawley's as to some of the en-
gineering problems involved.
Mr.. Miller made a speech in support OF
the amendment in which he contrasted the
cost of water and railroad transportation,
and gave statistics in that connection show
ing that rail rates from Chicago to New York
were 150 per cent higher than those by water
He had no doubt that the Hennepin canal
would do for the great Northwest what the
Erie canal had done and was doing for the
produce of the West.
Mr.. Vest said that Notwithstanding the
long and intricate arguments made today, ne
would repeat what he said last Saturday,
namely: that the days of canals were num-
bered. Ii the system of large canals were
inaugerated, canals that would float boats OF
800 or 700 or 1000 tons such canals might COM
pete to ascertain extent with railroads, but
these small canals i(foating boats less than
300 tons) were going out of existence and 40
not form even factor in competition with
railroads. This amendment he believed to
be the dUdnt courier of a proposition to un-
load the Erie canal on the general govern
ment. He was sick and tired of having
committee on commerce made the dumping
ground of every sackly broken down scheme
of int
Finally the discussion closed and the Sen
ate agreed to the amendment, yeas 81; nays
%.
Among the New England Senators who
voted with the majority were MesSrs Blair,
Dawes, Hale, Hawley and Hoar. With the
minority Messrs. Edmunds and Frye.
Mr.. MCMILLAN gave notice he would ask
the Senate to dispose of the bill tomorrow.
Mr.. Allison from the committee on appro-
priations reported back the sundry civil bill
with amendments ordered printed.
The Senate at 7.30 o'clock adjourned.
HOUSE.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Lowering of
Massachusetts,, by request, to abolish the
importation of italian or other slaves or la
borers, under contract and held to involunta-
nv Servitude, into the United States.
The bill granting pensions to soldiers and
sailors of the Mexican war having been
reached on the calendar, an objection was
made by Mr.. Teller, but on an appeal to him
by Mr.. Wilson of Iowa, and on statement
by Mr.. Harris that no Democratic senator
would consume any time in discussing the
bill, it was withdrawn. The bill was then
considered and passed with an amendment
Business relative to the District OF Colum-
bia having been postponed until Thursday
next. the House went into committee OF the
whole upon the Senate amendments to the
legislative appropriation bill In nearly ev
cry case the recommendations OF committees
on appropriations we're agreed to without de-
bate, and amendments either concurred or
nOn-concurred in.
A good deal of discussion, however, arose
over the amendments designating by names
various employees of the Senate and House,
which were finally non-concurred IN, with
the exception of that designating A. H. Pick
ems and II. L. Lyle as chief pages OF the
House. The committee on appropriation
recommends that the amendment relative to
the publication of the records of the rebel
lion and providing that evidence taken by
court-martial on the trial of Fitz John Por-
ter, together with the report thereon by
Judge Holt to President Lincoln shall be
printed, in connection with the matter al
ready printed concerning the proceedings Of
said court-martial, be concurred in with an
amendment providing for the printing of
any papers en- behalf of the defence in that
court-martial directly connected with the
proceedings Of the same and contemporane-
Gus Herewith, which have not been already
published. The Republicans desired to con-
cur in the Senate amendments without
amendment, and a motion to this effect hav-
ing been defeated they manifested some dis
position to filibuster, but finally allowed the
recommendation Of the committee to be
agreed to with the understanding that a yea
and nay vote should be taken upon it in the
House. The Senate amendment increasing
from $4,000 to 5000 the salaries of commits
sioners of pensions and patents were con-
Cured in The consideration of the amend
ments was completed incommittee, but pend
ing action by the House an adjournment
was taken at go o'clock.