New-York tribune., 1890-03-30
VOTING TO IMPROVE GALVESTON HARBOR
TIL, SENATE PASSING THE BILL-THE URGENCY
DEFICIENCY BILL.

wash,ncton March oo-In the Senate to-day, on
motion Of Mr. Davis. the senate bill appropraung
:3.73s, 900 for the improvement oi ST. Marys kiver'
Michigan and 81 6s4 900 for the improvement of Hay
Lake Channel, Michigan, taken from the calen-
dar and passed.
Mr. Coke moved to take from the calendar and pass
the Senate bill for the completion Of the entrance to
Galveston Harbor, Texas. (appropFiatng S6:Oo,ooo
in the aggregate, but the expenditure In ans year
not 10 exceed II 100000
Mr. Manderson asked Mr.. Coke what was intended
10 be done with two important ports the Gull of
Mcxico-sabine Pass and Aransas Pass.
Mr.. Coke stated in reply that the Beard OF Eng-
neers appointed by the President. under the Act Of
Congress, 20 select deepwaer harbor on the Gull
Of Mexico. had chosen Galveston as the only harbor
that filed the requirements. There was no intention
Of abandoning the Improvement Of either sabine Pass
or Aransas Pass.
Mr. Frye chairman Of the Committee on Commerce.
from which the bill was reported said there was no
intention Of neglectng either sabine Pass Aransas
Pass.
The committee had recently had a hearing Of per
sons IDLY 10 the improvement Of sabine Pass. and
had been convinced that an Appropriation for that
purpose was absolutely necessary and would be
mendcd. no matter what was Clone for Galveston.
There was an belt of fine pine lumber In the
region near sabine Pass. which found It's way Ia
market by lumber vessels from sabine Pass hut few
such vessels drew much as fifteen feet Of water and
OF them only ten TO twelve fcct There was now
twelve feet of water there and there would be- II the
Improvements went on there in the way for tho
next two years sixteen feet. which all that would
lc necessary there. But the harbor OF Galveston
intended fol vessels and the purpose TO have
thirty feet depth OF water there. As 20 Aransas Pass.
there was corporation which proposed 10 improve
II to the Of having twenty feet Of water
the bar, aud only asked the authority OF the Govern
mcnt to do so without any obligation on the part OF
the Government, and without the cxaction OF tolls.
That proposition had been referred by the committee
to the Secretary of War and reply had been received
from the secretary this morning favoring II. II such
a bill were passed, that would be taking care OF
Aransas Pass.
Mr.. Manderson asked Mr. Frye what was 10 be N,
rule under which certain rivers and harbors were taken
ont Of the general River and Harbor bin and pro-
slded for In special blls.
Mr. Frye answered that the Committee on Com.
mcrco convinced that the greatest extravagancs
committed under the policy Of river and harbor i'm.
provcmcnts was not In making appropriations for
small creeks and bayous. but In falling to make suf
hcient Appropriation for great National works.
to have no cessation Of operations 30
frequently the case. Therefore the committee had
ported this md one two other bills appropriating
sufficient amounts TO complete the works. Galveston
iarlor was a National necessity. and nobody sup
posed that sabine Pass Aransas Pass could be
pared to IL in National Importance.
Mr. Henderson moved to amend the bin by insert
ing sabine Pass and Aransas Pass.
Mr. Plumb. while favorlng the bill. expressed his
belief that the object proposed would not be obtained
at reasonable cost long the WORK was intrustea
to Army engineers.
Inc discussion was continued generally In favor ot
the BILL by Senators Paddock. Teller and Vest Tho
aInsndmen, was rejected, and the bill passed.
. Mr. Hale presented the conference report on the
Urgent Deficiency bill and stated that the only matter
OF controversy stll left open, and one which would
nave To De the subject of another conference. was
an amcndment relating TO the location of areslaD
wells. Inc conference report agreed TO-