Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-08
THE MILLS BILL.
THE HOPES OF IT'S FRIENDS AID
ENEMIES.
Mr.. Carlisle Expected to Mako Great
fpsech-The 1T Vernon
Avenue.
From Our Regular Correspondent.l

WASHINGTON, May THE friends OF the
Mills bill hope TO be able TO settle all dliier-
ences as 10 amendments TO be made 10 Il 10
caucus next wednesday night. Mr. DWELL,
OF Missouri, Is reported as having declared
that he will not be bound by the caucus on
this subject, and the enemies Of the sill hope
that there will be other Democrats who will
kick out OF the traces. The tariff debate will
20 on all this week and into tue middle oil
next. Messrs. Reed and Mckinley viii close
the debate on their side OF the House, and
Messrs. Breckenridge and Carlisle on
the part Of the Democrats. Mr.. Carlisle Is
expected to make powerful speech In It's
behalf, and the Democrats trust that he VIII
convert the doubling Thomases, II there
be any such on their side.
1t does not appear probable that The Senate
committee favor the proposed plan Tor the
construction OF an avenue under the auspices
OF the Mt. Vernon Association, recently
organized under charter obtained from the
Virginia Legislature, embracing an assign
ment to that association Of the claim OF VIZ
GINA for money advanced the United States
Government for the construction OF pub
lie buildings at the time the capital
was located here. A majority Of the
committee to day, while expressing them
an avenue to ht, Vernon I'm connection
with the proposed memorial bridge, thought
itshoud be done by the Government through
ifs own officers and at IS own expense; and
rs to the claim Of Virginia, should they re-
commend its payment, ii would be only on
condition that It should be paid over to the
state Itself, ignoring entirely the assignment
10 the association.
The passage OF the river and harbor bill
to-day was a great triumph for Representa-
tive Blanchard and his committee. They
have devoted great deal of time 10 its con-
sideration, sitting nearly every day for three
months, and since ITS introduction in the
House have worked unremittingly to secure
its. consideration and passage. Nirsinlgs
share OF the appropriation Is over hall a
million dollars. Representative Wise took
care OF her Interests IN committee, and was
strongly supported by bis Virginia COZ
leagues in the House.
Secretary EndicOtt Is opposed to the bill
which proposes TO establish bureau OF bar
bors aud waterways, 10 have the superyi-
sion Of the Improvement Of our rivers and
harbors. He has addressed q letter TO the
Senate Committee on Commerce giving bis
objections 10 the bill. He does not
think the change would result in a
more improved system, aud on. the
score OF economy thinks Ii q failure.
He says: "The proposed corps OF civil en-
gineers is to be composed OF 6lj officers,
with pay amounting to Sl,1S0,0OO, to which
will shortly be added the expense OF o civil
retired list, which must before many years
become a heavy charge against the Treasury,
inasmuch az the age at the time Of appoint
ment f. not fixed. The expense OF this pro-
posed corps will therefore greatly exceed
| that OF the present establishment"
The Court OF Claims to-day transmitted
10 Congress ITS findings OF facts in the
French spola,ion cases Of the brig Venus
and the schooner Alert.
A board Of officers will meet at the Trea'
sury Department next Wednesday for the
examination Of candidates for cadets In the
revenue marine service. There are eight
/ vacancies TO be filed.