Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-20
RIVERS AND HARBORS
NO BILL PROBABLE At THE PRES
ENT SESSION.
IMPROVEMENT Of THE JAMES,
This May he Provided for In the
sundry Civil BiII-Wnlker-hhen
Contests I'D TO-Dny-CopyinS Oh
Confederate Muster-Ro1ls.
ENT SESSION.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. December 10
Special -.congressman Charles Burton,
chairman Of the Rivers and Harbors
Committee. is authority for the announce
ment that there will probably be no
river and harbor bill reported at this
session. lie made this statement to-
night, and, In doing so. placed no ban
upon the source from which the informa-
ton came.
Mr.. Burton assigned several reasons
which would make it improbable for the
committee to act at this session. The
first OF these, in Mr.. Burton's opinion,
IS the fact that the Engineers Depart
ment now has all It can do, and will
have for several months TO come. in dis
posing Of the work for which provision
was made in the last river and harbor
bill. This branch Of the government SER
vice is now reported to be taxed to its
utmost, and is said to be far behind in
its work.
COST OF MATERIALS.
The second reason assigned by Mr..
Burton is the increased cost of the ma
terials entering into the new projects.
The estimates furnished by the engineers
and submitted 10 the department, by
reason Of this rise in prices, would be
insufficient to-day 10 complete the work
contemplated. They will either have TO
be made anew or changed 10 conform "a
the new order Of things. As they stand
to-day, they are misleading, and appro-
priatiOns based upon them would prove
inadequate.
The heavy appropriations which will. OF
necessity, be required for army and navy
purposes will, I'm Mr. Burton's opinion,
further tend TO endanger the chances
Of a new river and harbor bill
While provision will be made. I'm the
sundry civil BILL for such projects as
have already been passed upon by tn
committee and to which the government
is committed. under the continuing con-
tract system. he was positive that no
new work would be undertaken or au-
thorzed by The committee.
Mr.. Burton stated that the committee
would soon be called together, and would
meet semi-weekly thereafter. Hearings
viii be granted and the work on the new
river and harbor bill will be pushed 50
as to have II IN readiness for submits
sion to Congress during the early part
Of the next session.
JAMES RIVER PROJECT
II, under the circumstances, the com
mittee should fail 10 report river and
harbOr bill this session, the project 10
deepen the channel OF the James river TO
the head OF navigation. being a compare
lively new one. will have TO be provided
for in the sundry-civil bill as an amend
ment.
This Is not easy Of accomplishment, as
a rule, but with the local and depart
| mental support behind the channel pro-
I ject. its friends ought to be able to over
\ come any and all obstacles.
BUSINESS TO BE RUSHED.
There seems to be a desire on the part
| Of the Republicans TO rush business
through with all possible speed the pres
ent session. Their national convention
meets in June next. and the campaign
will be on Immediately afterwards. on
this account the members will be anX-
ious 20 get home 10 look after their
fences, so that If this programme is car
ried out the first session OF the Fifty
sixth Congress will be shorter than wa:
expected
VIRGINIA CONTESTS.
An indication of quick business ses
sion is the fact that the Walker-Rhea
election contest. from the Ninth Virginia
| District, will be taken up tomorrow ol
Elections Committee No. ], of which
Tayler. Of Ohio is chairman. The meet
ing however. will be merely one 10 ~ .
| pare the case for immediate ,,sadera
ton the first thing afte~ holidays.
The Wise-Yor"s contest, from the Sc
cond VirFi~is District, which Is assigned
! to Elosdons Committee No. 3, Mesick
of Michigan. chairman, will not be takel
mn as soon as the Walker-Rhea case
and IL Is probable, will be allowed q
sleep for some time for the benefit OF tn
contestant. whose chances OF success ar
considered nil.
EXTENSION OF FEDERAL GENIE
Terry.
Representative Lamb has reintroduce'
his bin for the purchase OF such land a
NAV be necessary for the extension o
the National Cemetery. on the Williams
burg turnpike. near the city of Rich
mond. and 10 provide burial for such sol
diers. sailors, and marines as are by lay
entitled 10 interment In such cemetery
for which purposes the sum OF N5,OO
appropriated.
CONFEDERATE MUSTER-ROLIS
He also introduced bill authorizin
the Secretary OF War 10 permit the mus
ter-rolls OF the Confederate armies nov
In the archives OF the War Department
10 be copied by clerks acting under IN
! appointment Of the governors OF thei