Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-05-07
From Our Washington Correspondents


Washington, April 90 = The River
and Harbor bill has been reported to
the Senate and will be taken up at an
early date. The sums appropriated by
the House committee for the improve
ment of the waterways of Delaware
we're not disturbed by the Senate COM
mittee, except in the reduction Of the
amount for improving the Delaware
river from Trenton TO its mouth from
$780, 600 to $3.50, 600.
In the item appropriating s., 600 for
the improvement of the Appoquinimink
river the Senate committee amended
the original bill by providing that the
additional sum Of S25, 900 may be ex-
pended, in the discretion of the Secre-
tary of War, for such dredging as may
be necessary for the maintenance Of
channels from the mouths of the Appo.
quinimink river and Blackbird creek
to the channel of the Delaware river,
through the dixie now being constructed
from Reedy Island to Liston's Point,
for the improvement of the Delaware. -
An amendment was also added to
the item relating to the construction of
the harbor Of refuge in Delaware bay.
The item as amended by the COM
mittee reads as follows: Constructing
harbor of refuge, Delaware bay, in
accordance with plans submitted by the
chief Of engineers, January 29th, 1892,
So, 600. Provided, that contracts may
be entered into by the Secretary of War
for such material and work as may be
necessary to complete said harbor of
refuge, to be paid for as appropriations
may from time to time be made by law,
not to exceed in the aggregate 81. :
$50, 600, exclusive of the amount herein
appropriated. Provided, further, that
in making such contracts the Secre-
tary Of War shall not obligate the
government TO pay in any one fiscal
year, beginning July LIST, 1897, more
than % per centum of the whole amount
authorized to be expended. "
Tho items for improving the inland
waterway from Chincoteague bay. Va.
to Delaware bay, at or near Lewes, to
be used from Delaware bay to Indian
river, was amended so as to read I:
Continuing improvement, S25, 900.
Provided, that no part of this appro-
prlatlon shall be expended until the
right of way is secured without cost
to the United States, but the right of
way over any railroad or through any
railroad or county bridge shall not be
subject to this proviso and may be
secured by condemnation proceedings. -
The Secretary of War is directed to
cause a preliminary examination 10 be
made Of the st. Jones river, instead of
, st. Johns river, as inserted in the
yiginal bill.
:, % item for improving the Delaware
is .Ssrm Trenton to its mouth, as
TX slias as follows: Continuing
:. & / 5nt $3.50, coo, of which So, 0O6
49,. expended in the improvement
pSs channel over Perriwig bar, and
1000 shall be expended in rebuilding
and eularging the dixie, on government
reservation, at the junction of the
SchuylKill and Delaware rivers, at Fort
Mifilin: Provided, that no part OF said
appropriation or of any appropriation
heretofore made shall be expended upon
the building Of a dixie between Reedy
Island and Liston' Point until board
OF three engineer officers, to be an
pointed by the Secretary Of War, shall
consider the project of said dixie with
reference to preserving and improving
the navigation of the Appointments
river and Blackbird creek, and the
riparian rights and facilities of the
Delaware shore. "