Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-11-02

ordered by the committee on com
mcTce to make II report as to the feast
hiIty of opening channel 10 feet
wide from Grand Rapids TO Grand
Haven, but tho report was not made III
lime to be placed in this bill. The
engineers reported that for 5000, 900 or
800, 900 this Improvement could DC
made.
Grand Rapids, as almost everyone
knows, is great manufacturing CEN
ter. There is more furniture manu-
featured there than in any other CITY
ia the country. Those manufacturers
are very anxious to have access by
water to Lake Michigan, and at an eX-
pcnso of 5000 900 or 100000 they can
savc at least $3.50 600 "A year in treights:
The engineers reported in favor OF
making this appropriation but the re-
port did not reach us until after the
river and harbor bill was made up.
Now, should like to have an appro-
priation made for this purpose. The
Engineer Department Recommend
$lGO, 600. / should like the committee
To allow a smaller amount than that.
il they object to 100000 make 1t So
0u0, so as to start the work. Grand
Haven is a city of 10000 people, II
growing city-this is very important
river, and it seems 10 me as If the I'M
provements ought to be made. That
is all | wish to say at present.
Mr.. Frye. The amendment is not
subject to Il point of order. 1 remem-
Der now that the amendment was
offered by the Senator from Michigan
and was before the committee; but the
committee had no opportunity to con-
slder it. The Secretary of War had not
returned the conclusions of the engln-
Ger in season for us TO consider the
matter.
do not feel at liberty to assent TO
any further increase in this bill. The
State of Michigan was represented IN
the other House by two members OF
the committee on rivers and harbors,
and it seemed To the committee on
commerce of the senate that almost
everything had been done for Michi-
gun that wo we're justified in doing.
Yet the two Senators from Michigan,
when informed them that Michigan
must be cut considerably, came before
the committee, and the result OF the
operation of economy on my part was
that they had the bill increased still
farther by some $40, 900 or $40 900.
committee having had no opportunity
to examine this question, az the Sena-
tor knows perfectly well, do not feel
that | can assent to tho amendment
which the Senator desires.
The President pro tempore. The
Senator from Maine withdraws his
point of order, the Chair understands.
Mr.. Mcmillan. If the Senator will
allow me, will state that report was
called for last year In regard to this inn
provement but the report was delayed.
Had itreached the other House in time,
] have no doubt that the 100000
would have been put in the bill. AS
said before, if the Senator will agree to
make it S25, 900 so as to start this work,
1t will be satisfactory to these great
manufacturing interests III Grand
Rapids. They consider it very inn
portant improvement and | am del
uged with letters and kilograms and
petitions urging that an appropriation
be made. The people of that city
think that after the engineer has maze
n favorable report it is too bad that the
work can not be commenced.
Mr. Frye. There is nothing person
ally that would not do for the two
senators from Michigan, but great
nzlny such requests have been made to
Cd since the bill was passed upon by
oH committee. and do not feel, with
an the authority of the committee, that
/ nave any right to assent to the propo-
ton.
The President pro tempOre. The
question is on agreeing to the amend
ment proposed by the Senator from
Michigan.
The amendment was rejected.
On the same day Senator Stockbridge
was heard from. See Congressional
Record, 1865.
Mr. Stockbridge. l offer an amend
ment which understand to be in order,
as / brought the matter te the attention
of the committee, and it was under
stood that it would be offered in the
senate.
The president pro tempore. The
amendment will be stated.
The chief clerk. On page 20, after
line 2, insert:
Improving harbor of refuge at Por-
tage Lake, Mich, Sl25,0O0.
Mr.. Stockbridge. Mr.. President, in
offering this amendment l do not ask
IL as an additional appropriation for Il
Michigan harbor strictly. 1t is in the
interest of the entire commerce of the
lakes. There is no business of any inn
portance at this point, but it is most
favorable point upon the west side of
Lake Michigan for u harbor of refuge.
1t is within n short distance of the
Straits of Mackinaw. The entire COM
merce between Milwaukee and Chi
cago, having to pass to the westward Of
the Manitou and Beaver islands and
near the east shore of the lake in the
fall of the year when they are subject
to violent storms, snow storms, and
hail storms, the vessels are in very
critical condition there. 1t is true that
there have been moro wrecks between
Point Betsey and Point Au Sable, which
is near this location, than along thee
tire balance of the shores of Lake
Michigan.
There is very great necessity for q
harbor of refuge ut this point. 1t was
reported upon favorably by the
engineer department some two years
since, and two small appropriations
were made for the work. 1t was after
wards thought that harbor of refuge
might be constructed at Ludington,
which is near there, and consequently
further appropriations for this work
were suspended. 1t is now the opinion
OF the engineers, as found upon page
2G76 of the present report, that this is
the most valuable point upon the lakes
E o.. 4