The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-04-09
RIVERS AND HARBORS.

me rlver ana narDOr Dill OF tne
Fifty-fourth congress, over which
there has been more speculation and
anxiety among members than any
other bill. was completed by the com
mittee on rivers and harbors and re-
ported to the House by Chairman
Hooker. The total amount appropri-
ated by the bill is, in round numbers,
$40, 600, 600, and provision is made for
continuing works already under way,
contracts TO be made by the secretary
of --,- for works which will cost S51, =
900, 900, for which appropriations will
be made in the future. This is not a
material change from the river and
harbor appropriation Of the last con-
gress.
The Fifty second congress author
lied about S21, 00O, 900 expenditure and
contracts for, $31, $50, 900. The Fifty
isiird congress bill carried $50, f36, e59
appropriation and contracts for about
S18, 900, 900. Members Of the commit
tee Of both parties unite in the verdict
that the contract system is the most
economical and satisfactory, 1t saving
according to the secretary of war,
from 25 to 33 per cent on the cost of
works, and in some cases more.
The amount appropriated for improv-
ing the Mississippi river from the
mouth Of the Ohio to st. Paul, under
the continuing contract system, is
S375, 900, of which amount $500, 600 is
to be expended above the mouth Of the
Missouri and S175, 900 from the mouth
Of the Missouri to the mouth of the
Ohio. Additional contracts may be to
continue systematically the improve
ment between the points mentioned,
not exceeding in the aggregate So, 025,
900. For the fiscal year ending June
80, 1897, the sum expended between st.
Paul and the mouth of the Missouri
shall not exceed 5000, 600, and there
after shall not exceed for three years
beginning July /, 1897, Ss26, 666. &c
annually.
The sum-expended for work between
the mouth of the Ohio and the mouth
of the Missouri for the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1897, shall not exceed the
sum of 1925, 0OO and thereafter for the
three years commencing July 1, 1897,
shall not exceed the sum of 1913, 1888. 80
annually. On the subject Of how this
money shall be expended the bill says
Provided, that the money hereby
appropriated and authorized to be ex.
pended in pursuance of said contracts
for the said section of said river be-
tween the mouth Of the Missouri river
and the mouth of the Ohio river, or sc
much thereof as may be necessary,
shall be expended in the construction
of suitable dredgeboats, portable jet
ties and other suitable appliances, and
in the maintenance and operation oi
the same, with the view of obtaining
a navigable channel from st. Louis tc
Cairo not less than $50 feet in width
and feet in depth. "
For the lower river, that is from tht
head of the passes to the mouth of thu
Ohio, the amount appropriated fol
continuing improvements is S65, 900, tt
be expended under the recommends
tions of the Mississippi River Com
mission for the general improvement
of the river and the building Of levee'
and for surveys. 1t is provided tina
additional contracts may be entered
into not exceeding in the aggregate
s., 1915, 600 Not more than S625, 600 o
this shall be expended for the fisca
year ending June 30, 1897, and there
after the sum expended shall not ex
ceed the sum of 81, 5s3, 1888 annually fo
three years. The clause providing
how this money shall be used is tn
same as that in regard to work be
tween the Missouri and Ohio rivers
For the improvement Of the Missouri
river the amount appropriated is $3.50,
OOO This is $500, 900 less than was ap
propriated last year. As to the man
Ter in which this amount is to be ex
pended the bill says that on and afte
the passage of this act additional con
tracts may be entered into by the sec
retary of war for such material an
works as may be necessary to carry O
continuously the plans Of the Missoui
River Commission for the improvement
of said river, or said material may b
purchased and work may be done Other
wise than by contract, to be paid fo
as appropriations may from time
time be made by law, not exceeding i
the aggregate $3.50, 900 per annum fc
three years, commencing July 1. 1885,
OF the money hereby appropriated an
hereby authorized to be contracted. fo
$50, 600 may be expended at Omaha an
Council Bluffs at Rocheport, $50, 0OC
at Glasgow, $50, 900, and at Miami
| $75, 600.
Other appropriations made in the bi
which have interest for Missouri, Al
kansas and Illinois are as follows:
For improving Black river, ArkaI
sas and Missouri, continuing improve
ment, S.. 900, So, 900 to be used in col
structing the old dam at or near Bi
Island.
For improving Current river, Arkai
sas and Missouri, continuing improve
ment, 50, 900.
For improving Illinois river, col
tinuing improvement, $40. 900.
For the protection from erosion
the east bank Of the Mississippi riv'
along and in front of the Sny Islar
levee in the counties of Adams, Pill
and Calhoun, Illinois, by revetmen
$50. 900.
For dredging the channel at Quin'
Bay, at Quincy, Illinois. SIS, 900.
For removing the sand bar in fro
of the steamboat landing at Quinc
Illinois. $40, 900.
For improving the Gasconade rive
Missouri. continuing improvement