The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-04
RIVERS AND HARBORS.
AUTHORIZATIONS FOR THEIR M
PROVEMENT VIRGINIA.
One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Dol
Iars to Continue Work in
James River.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 3.-spe-
cial.-The rivers and harbors appropria-
ton bill was reported TO the House TO-
day While the appropriations nave
been kept down TO a low figure, Nifgih'a
has Jared as well as could have been
expected. Several increases are allowed
and new work appropriated for in sew
eral Instances.
For the harbor at Norfolk, Va. Sloo',pO
is allowed. a decrease OF $4,000 from the
appropriation of last year
The appropriations for continuing I'M
provements Of rivers are as follows:
James river. continuing Improvement
$4,000: Appomattox river. 5000. Nan
semond river, 5000; Mattaponi river
$500: Aqua creek, $1,000; Occoquan
creek. $500. Lower Machadoc creek
81 so: Nandua creek. $1,000; protecting
jamestown Island from the encroach-
ments OF the James r.v'r, .G.Do, ''9lnl
creek. $500. Pamunkey river. gov
Rappahannock, 5000; Urbanna creek,
& Oec York river. $4,000 western branch
Of the Elizabeth river. $1,000.
NORTH CAROLINA RIVERS.
North Cct0lina rivers Improving IN
land waterway between Beaufort har-
Dor and New river $1,000; Cape Fear
river above Wilmington. $4,000 below
Wilmington. 100000. New river, 5000
Pamlico and Tar river, 5000, Trent
river. 5000 Black river. $1,000.
Improving inland waterway from Nor
folk hari7or TO Albemarle sound. through
Currituck sound 10000.
Preliminary surveys are provided for
at Cape Lookout. HarbOT Of Refuge, ana
FOR jetty near Bogue inlet, North Caro-
lima. TO remove the sand-bar.
Representative Elicit ia fully satisfied
with the appropriations for his district
Representative Tyler is also inclined 70
be content with the amounts allowed for
Norfolk The 5000 appropriation for
the western branch Of the Elizabeth
river will be sufficient 10 start the work
and subsequent sessions will undoubtedly
provide for its completion
No provision is made for a deep-water
channel 70 the Norfolk navy-yard. but
the general Improvement OF the harbor
provided for will help matters
WHEREBY HANGS A TALE.
The most remarkable provision Of the
bill. and one that is open TO adverse
criticism. is contained In a paragraph
repeating the provision in former acts
relating 10 the appropriation OF $1,000
for continuing the Improvement OF the
harbor al Cape Charles City. Va. and
ms approaches The Item IS innocent
enough IN appearance. but behind it is
story.
The haibor OF Cape Charles CITY Is
owned absolutely by the New YORK.
Pennsylvania. and Norfolk railroad. ana
is used exclusively for railroad business
When the late Bailey Brown was rep
resentatiye Of the First district N Con-
sress. be succeeded IN obtaining appro-
priauons aggreGatirg $4,000. when were
expended I'm improving the railroad compa
ny's property. Notwithstanding this use
of public money. the railroad insisted that
the harbor was its private property. and
other craft. even when seeking refuge
from stOrnA-. were denied admission.
When Representative Jones came 10 the
Fifty-sccond Congress. and was MADE
n member Of the Rivers and Harbors
Committee he succeeded IN having a pro-
viso inserted in the bill passed by that
Congress, that before the $1,000 appro-
priated by the bin for the Cape Charles
city harbor should be expended. the ra.l-
road company be required 70 execute n
deed throwing open the harbor 10 thc
public.
SOMEBODY WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN
The railroad company refused 10 accept
the money under these conditions, and
as a result the appropriation has been
lying idle In the Treasury. The repeal
Of Mr. Jones proyiso in the present bul
gives the money absolutely 20 the rail-
road company, and Il will be expended
for the Improvement OF the company s
propcrty This Is one or the Items I'D
the bill which General Walker and the
other Republican members or the COM
mlttee will find it difficult 10 explain.
II is. however. IN line with that general
Republican policy which countenahces
and encourages the use OF public money 10
aid private enterprise.
ALMOST FORGOTTEN.
Representative Otey, acting as Stal'
chairman of the silver Democrats OF t-
..,nia-a position which nearly every ono
had forgotten he occupied-has lsSuea q
an to th.. silver Democrats Oh virginia
- hold primary meetings ana ors' ',a,e.
Tor the purpose Of electing silver "''
Ito 80 IN The Chicago convention.
r. NJ. Derninger has ueeh app po,.,,,.
.,.,n ~. al Waterlick Warren county
P wa yice waiter \. HOFFMAN.