Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-23
NORFOLK MAYNARD
Appropriation for Deepening Channel
Probably Nov Forthcoming.
NILES TO BIZ SIDE.TRACKED.
His Ambition 10 Be Northumberland
Probably Not 10 Be Realized.
THIRD VIRGINIA REGIMENT.
IL Is Thought Ii VIII BE ordered TO
Newport News for Embarkation
for Cuba Within Few Days
other Washington Notes.
NILES TO BIZ SIDE-TRACKED.
THIRD VIRGINIA REGIMENT.

NASflNGlON, II. u, June %-.-NopS-
cial)-Senator Martin and DR.. Wise are
making a powerful effort to obtain the
appropriation asked for in the memorial
presented 10 Congress by Colonel Lamb,
in behalf of the necessary naval i'm
provements at Norfolk. This has met
with a much more favorable response
than was at first expected. Senator Mar
tin called on the Secretary Of the Navy
and the heads of several departments
with reference to the matter yesterday,
and was much encouraged. The bill for
the deepening and Widening OF the chan
mel from Hampton Roads TO the navy
yard has been referred to the naval COM
mittees of both Senate and House. No
action, however will be taken in the
House until Senator Martin succeeds in
getting the necessary legislation through
the Senate. 1t is considered by leadin2
naval officials a serious reelection on the
government that it's large batteships
and cruisers that come into Hampton
Roads cannot go to the Norfolk navy
yard, which is in sight Of those waters.
From 1885 to the present time over three
millions of dollars have been spent in
perfecting the Norfolk yard for the re-
ception and repair of the largest ships.
There is no machne-shop at any United
States naval station superior to that
which was erected, under the supervision
OF Naval-Constructor Bowles, at the Nor
folk yard.
ONLY SMALL AMOUNT NEEDED.
The sum of $4,000 is all that is needed
to set a channel $50 feet wide and 2S feet
deep from Hampton Roads to the navy
yard, and the leading dreging companies
along the Atlantic coast have given
guarantee that If the work is awarded 10
them, in thirty days they Will have
channel $50 wide and % feet deep at low
tide, which would enable any Of the
ships of the navy TO get 10 the yard. In
sixty days they would have ii 300 feet
wide and Is feet deep at mean low-tide.
and in ninety days they would have the
whole work done, as recommended by the
Chief Of Engineers OF the United States
army-viz., a channel $50 feet wide and
IS feet deep at lOw-tide.
The Secretary Of the Navy has promised
when the matter has been referred
10 him that he will recommend IL, and
there can be no doubt that Congress will
make the comparatively insignificant APP
preparation proposed for work which
is of more Importance in the present
crisis than anything else that could be
ACCOMPLISHED for the same amount OF
money. Hampton Roads and Norfolk
harbor will be the headquarters of the
fleets on the Atlantic coast, and those
operating in Cuban waters, for years 10
come and the absolute necessity or the
Improvement of the channel TO the width
and depth indicated is apparent to every
body.
No pains will be spared by the Virginia
senators and members co secure the
appropriation before adjournment OF the
present session.
MR.. HAY WITH Mr.. BAILEY.
Representative James Hay wishes II
understood that at the Democratic caucus
the other night, he not only voted for
the Bailey resolution, but also spoke
for 1t. The press report had him in OPP
position, and he asks this correction.
FOR JUDGE-ADVOCATE-G GENERAL
Major Robert w. Hunter. of Winches
ter. a gallant eX-Confederate officer, who
was a chief Of division in the Interior
Department under Cleveland is an APP
plicant for the office Of judge-advocate-
general of the volunteer army. He is en-
dorsed by the Virginian Senators and
Representatives, eX-Secretary OF the
Navy Herbert. Senator Morgan, and
others. and his chances for the appoint
ment are considered excellent.
PROVISION FOR CONTRACTS.
A bill has been introduced in the House
and referred to the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs. providing that one quarter of
a pound of cheese, tri-weekly. be added
10 the soldiers rations. This bill was
brought in by a New York member, and,
of course, II it should pass. would be a
nice thing for the cheese establishments
in that State. Another bill provides for
a ration of canned corn, three times a
week, for each man, which would be an
excellent thing for canning factories.
It will now be in order to bring in
bill for a ration of dried apples. another
for pie, and still another for ice-cream
which would be palatabe and beneficial
to the troops in a Cuban or other tropical
climate, and furnish some fat contracts
CLEVELAND REDIVIVUS.
An old-time partisan OF Grover Cleve-
lands said to-day that Cleveland's speech
yesterday against the so-called imperial
policy, that is gaining strength In Re
publican quarters, would bring him 10
the front as a presidential candidate in