The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-19
TELLS OF WORK BEING DONE
I THE ASSOCIATIONS AND in
MITTEE.

Colonel John L. Vance, president OF
the Ohio Valley River Improvement
Association, whose annual meeting, by
the way, 10 to be held In Wheeling next
fall, has Just returned to his ,Gullipolls
home after q trip in the east in the
Interest of an improved Ohio river,
Speaking OF his visit ut Washington,
Colonel Vance said:
work Is progressing under the pro-
visions OF the act OF the last Congress,
providing for continuous appropria-
lions as set forth until the work pro-
vided for be completed. The acton OF
the last Congress was q great step,
having for Its object the Improvement
OF the entire Ohio river, and the free
Ing Of the Monongahelat river, relieving
commerce fromtthe, onerous burden OF
tolls, was something that drew forth
from all the people OF the great valley
words Of commentators and praise.
The great coal. iron, and III fact all tho
manufacturing and Commercial Inter-
ests rejoiced when the important move
ment was accomplished Too much
praise cannot be given to the members
OF the rivers and harbors committee OF
the last house for their wise and judi
clous decision regarding the question of
the improvement Of internal water ways
and particularly the liberht appropriu-
ton for the Ohio and It's tributaries"
What is the prospect for future ap-
propriations?" was asked the colonel.
1.-The outlook Is very favorable. No
general appropriation bill will be re-
ported at this s~esslonfof Congress,
owing to the complications brought
about by the pending war between our
country and Spain. tits but natural
that all of the resources and energies
Of the country should be devoted to the
prosecution OF the war; I am assured,
however, that a general; bin will be pre-
sented' at the short session Of Congress,
beginning next December, andlthat It
Will receive favorable consideration"
rs the committee on rivers and har-
bors OF the present Congress favorable
to the continuation Of the Improvement
OF the water ways Of the country"
"Unquestionably SO. Some time ago
I made an argument before the COM
mittee in regard to completing the sur
yey Of the Ohio to It's mouth, and was
greatly gratified al the attention and
the expression of approval made by va
rious members OF the committee.
Without rejection on any member Of
the committee, because they are all
friends Of the Improvement OF the in
ternal water ways. T desire to say that
I have received from Hon. B. B. Dove
ner, Of the First district Of West Vir-
ginia, the most valuable counsel and
aid. Representing, as he does, q dis
trict with a large river front, and in
terested to the greatest degree in the
betterment Of the river, he has been in
defatigable in advancing legislation
having for its purpose the permanent
improvement of the Ohio and It's tribu-
taries. His services upon the rivers
and harbors committee of the last Con-
gress and the present one, have been
OF such a character as to merit the
wermest approval and demandthe graf
Itude Of the people OF his own district
anu the entire Ohio Valley. He has
reached that point in his legislative ex-
p%erience when his services are of more
value than ever before, and the people
Of his district would be wise to return
him to Congress. While Captain Dove
ner and myself do not agree in politics,
yet 1t Is but fair TO say. that there are
times when politics should cut no figure
in the selection of a'public servant, and
Fmy acquaintance with Captain Dove
ners inestlmable service in behalf Of
the great river interests is such that I
have nc hesitancy In saying that q
grave mistake would be made should
he not be returned to the Fifty-slxth
Congress,