The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1890-03-08
BISMARCK TO RETIRE.
WASHINGTON CRY, Feb. 25, 1890.

WASHINGTON CRY, Feb. 25, 1890.
Editor TINES -MoUNTAINEER:
Mr, Mitchell, from the committee on
transportation rontes to the sea-board,
reported the following bill, which was
read the first and second times by Inani-
mouss consent: Be it enacted that the
sum of two million eight hundred and
sixty thousand three hundred and fifty
six dollars and tbirty-fve cents, or SO
much thereof as may be necessary, be,
and the same Is hereby, appropriated, to
be expended under the direction of the
secretary of war ip the construction of
boat railway, and of the necessary marine
apparatus and appliances In connection
Herewith. for the purpose of transferring
boats and their cargoes over and across
the distractions to navigation ut The
Dalies and Cello Falls and Ten-M Mile
rapids on the Columbia river, either in
the state of Oregon or in the state of
Washington, as may be determined most
expediegt by the secretary of war, and IN
the improvement of Three Mile rapids,
such Improvements to he made in ac-
cordance with the recommendations,
plans, aud specifications included in the
report of the board of engineers of the
United States appointed by the secretary
of war IN pursuance of the provisions Of
the act of congress approved August 18Th,
1885, and entitled IAN act making ap-
preparations for the construction, repair.
and preservation of certain public works
on rivers and harbors. and for other pur
poses;" this appropriation to be immedi
ately available.
At the same time Mr.. Mitchell made |
an able report from the committee on
transportation routes to the sea-board. |
From this report many valuable facts
may he learned 1t shows the COlum bia
basin, if well cultivated, may be made to
yield annually 200.0O0,Q00 bushels of
wheat. snd that Umatllla and Union
alone will probably yield a0,.
100000 bushels of good wheat,
No country on the face of the globe
produces wheat, oats and vegetables
better than the Columbia basin.
Major William Jones. the engineer In
charge of the Cascade Locks, reports; sit
las been demonstrated that nearly the
whole of this great plain is magnificent
grain producing country, as the statistics
submitted herewith will show. Further
more, the soil is not only fertile, but of
enSnrsnce. In the Viii
annette Valley fields that have been con-
inus!ly cropped with wheat for twenty
ears are now Welding from 30 to 80
,ushels per acre Of winter wheat.
'When 1t is considered that in addition |
o its grain producing capacity this region
as ample resources In precious metals.
oal. iron, and most of the various pro-
ucts that 60 to make up that interweav S
ng of the great variety of industries,
,hich always insHres the Development of r
'ealth and prosperity, it becomes cyl
ent that the mountain gorge that CON- | q
lands the whole trads OF such eouptry j
worthy of considerable attention from !
,ngress. The development of this re
ION will add SO rapidly to the material
ealth of the nation, aud add so largely
revenues, that every dollar expended /
i'll como back many fold into the public
easary."
While General Eimmo, lste chief of p
e bureau of statistics, treasury depart je
ent, 10 discussing this subject il hi2 Y
nual report of May 6. 1885. on the in- IN
rnal commerce of the United States, ct
VS.: "Seyeral years ago the soil Of this al
glon was subjected to chemical analysis d.
d it was found to be possessed of proper m
$ which have rendered the soil Of the bi