Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-05-24
RIVERS AND HARRoRs.
The Appropriation 1911 Taken Up in the
National House.

The Appropriation BiII Taken Up in the
National House.
WASHINGTON, May 24.-The reaction
in the house after the strain to which
the members have been subjected in at
tendance upon the consideration of the
tariff BILL was noticeable in a decreased
attendance. The river and harbor bill
was taken up without any ceremony, al
though there was story abroad that
this measure would be held off to con-
tinue the presence of those interested in
order to transact the buiness of the house
with quorum.
Mr.. Henderson, of Illinois, explained
the provisions of the bill and other
members followed in argument for its
passage, but as the debate proceeded
there was thinning out on the floor
that compelled those who remained to
bunch into a small family gathering,
whose conversation was not audible in
the galleries.
Wanted Nearly $40, 100000
The report of the committee on rivers
and harbors tells all that is necessary to
know about this measure. The aggre-
gate amount of appropriations recon-
mended is $40, ,932 ,445, based upon esti-
mates of the engineers amounting to
$39, ,535, ,033. From an examination Of
the bill it appears that $l3,934 $50 have
been recommended for the Improvement
of rivers and other water ways; 81, 797,-
405 for the improvement of harbors and
breakwaters, and 100000 for surveys
and contingencies. There are tifty-siX
new projects in the bill, contemplating
an immediate outlay of $l,217, ,250.
Never u Greater Demand.
There has never been greater de-
mand for appropriations, but notwith-
standing the fact that no river and bar
Dor bill was passed for the fiscal year
ending June 30 1890, and many impor-
tant works were suspended for want of
money, yet the committee did not deem
it advisable to recommend for passage
of bill which would be regarded as
excessive in the amount appropriated.
The Mississippi.
The largest appropriation in the bill is
for the Mississippi river, for which the
sum of $3. 992, 900 has been recommend
ed. While this sum seems large, yet the
river is wonderful river, watering one
Of the richest and most productive val
leys in the world, and the entire coun-
try is interested in its Improvement;
and certainly the ten states which bor-
der on its banks have deep interest in
its improvement.
The Missouri.
For the Missouri river the committee
have recommended an appropriation of
$500, 600, with view of beginning q
thorough and systematic Improvement
of the river, commencing at the mouth;
and have made no recommendations for
any localities on the river, leaving it,
however, to the discretion of the secre-
tary of war to apply such portion of the
amount appropriated in the protection of
harbors and localities on the river as he
may deem advisable.
In the river and harbor bill of August.
1888, 100000 was appropriated for
this river. $1,000 of which were ex-
pended at various localities ON the river,
and only So 900 were left for the gen
eral Improvement of the river. This the
Missouri river commission seem to have
regarded and very justly, as an aban-
donment Of the improvement of the
river. and the committee commends
what the commission say upon this sub
ject to the house. adding if the Missouri
river is to be improved it it time that
thorough and systematic course OF i'm
provement was commenced.
Illinois and Mississippi Ship Canal.
The committee have recommended an
appropriation of $500, 600 for the purpose
of commencing the construction Of the
Illinois and Mississippi canal, to connect
the upper Mississippi river with
the lake system of navigation,
and thus give to- the northwest and to
the east continuous water line of trans
portation from the head waters of the
Mississippi river to the Atlantic sea-
board at the city of New York.
Good Results.
The committees report concluded as
follows: The reports received from all
over the country and especially from
members of the house, show very graft
fying results from the improvements
which are being carried on throughout
the country. There is not only a large
increase of commerce on the improved
rivers and water ways, but a great re-
duction of freight rates have followed
their Improvement; and your committee
feel confident. after long and patient
investigation of the subject. that there is
no money expended by the government
which is so much in the interest of the
people as that expended in the improve
ment of the water ways of the country"
ZACHARY TAYLOR,