The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-09-29
SENATOR DoLPH.
The Senator Makes a Complete
Report If His Actions while
In CunQrPSS.


The Senator Makes a Complete
Report If His Actions while
In Cvngress.
Yesterday afternoon. on the arrival OF the
train from Portland, Senator Dolph was
met by the committee on reception and es
corted to the hotel. He spent the time
until evening in renewing old acquaintance
in the city, and giving an attentive ear to
all those who desired to see him on any
business pertaining to the public trust
which has been reposed In HIM for the past
twelve years.
About o'clock the senator, preceded by
The Dalles brass band, and accompanied by
members of the committee on reception,
walked to the court house, which was well
| filed with ladies and gentleman, who had
come to listen to the senator. After one or
more selections had been played, Mr.. John
| Michel introduced Senatot Dolph IN few
brief remarks, eulcgizing the part ne had
taken regarding an open river, the promI-
nent positit he held in the senate ard his
| untIrIng efforts in favor of the best interests
| of his constituents and the manly battle he
had uaged in favor of protection.
The senator, on taking the floor, gave
| thorough al exhaustive description of the
position he had taken in reference to public
| improvements in Oregon, and especially
towards opening the Columbia river as
channel of commerce for producers and ship
pers. Appropriations had been received
for the mouth of the river sufficient to COM
pIete the jatties now begun, and already
there is thirty feet of water at low tide in
the channel. The bugbear of the bar at the
mouth of the Columbia no longer exists, and
the shipping facilities will enhance the price
of wheat and wool to the producers OF all
portions Of Oregon. In little while this
Improvement will be completed, and con
gress has given all the aid necessary.
A matter of great interest to the people of
this vicinity was the locks at the Cascades,
and these had been let By contract and the
amount necessary to finish them had been
voted by congress. The senator was sorry
to learn from Major Post that the late flood
had demonstrated the fact that there must
be an additional lock at probable cost OF
Sl6O, 600; but this would not interfere with |
the work now IN operation. the Oregon |
delegation would be forced to use an extra |
effort to get this AMOUNT from congress, but |
they would be successful. At the first he |
understood the Importance OF an open river |
from the most remote nayigable waters of |
the Columbia to the ocean, and this would
REQUIRE some project to overcome the imped.
iments to navigation between this city and
Cello. After consulting with engineers he
was satisfied boat railway would be the
most feasible means, and the board of gov
ernment engineers appointed to investigate
the matter reported in favor OF this plan.
On two different occasions he had secured
for this improvement. but
both of these were defeated in the house.
The last time he was met by MF Paul
NJ ,hr. who did everything possible to rem
der futile has efforts in this direction. For
three weeks he bad to contend against his
influence, and finally came to
the conclusion that he was acting in the in
terest of some railroad corporation. The
last report of the board of engineers was
not unfayarable to a ship railway, and be-
ng a member of the committee to whom
the matter was referred, he secured ap ap-
Of Sl0c, 900 for the beginning of
the work. He is satisfied that in two years
t will be put under the contract system,
and in about five years river craft from
Idaho will be able to transport freight to the
,cean without breaking cargo. This esti-
nate for the Eoat railway is 800, 900
,heaper than the former one, and it ,s to be
,uilt oa the Oregon side. These are ad-
over the former reports OF the
,eards of engineers The boat raIiway will
ost something oyer 90 10000, while the
anal could not be constructed for double
he smount, and would take generation tc
omplete. Congress would give no consid-
ration to a portage road, which would be
4 little benefit to shippers. /,
In reference to the forfeiture of railroad
and grants the senaor spoke of his record
N the matter and referred to the one Of
he s. z. r. r. from Portland to Astoria .
nd cf the Waliula-Portland, which has re-
erted to the pubic domain, and on which
ettiers have all the rights guaranteed to
itizens. The grants to wagon roads had
een placsd in such position that title to
he land would be settled at the expense
f the government, and this is all that
ould be expected.
He announced himself in favor OF the ,
Nicaragua canal, and the great benefit that ,
7ould accrue therefrom to the producers of /
he Pacific coast. 10 a concise manner he
old what had been done 10 regard to the
anal, and the history of the project.
The senator spoke for about an honr and I
half and kept his audience interested dur {
ig the whole time BE did not touch in |
he least on political matters, aud spoke
My of those subjects in which the people {
all parties are directly interested. The t
eople were attentive throughout the speech. 1
nd frequently showed their appreciation {
y applause.
-R~