Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-06-13
TWO CENTS
GOSSIP FROM WASHINGTON.
Drawbridge at Morgantown is
Turned Down.

Report OK The War Department Ii Adj
verse TO This Kind Of u Structure a
Stationary Briagc will Have TO Take
Its Place Other Notes Of Interest
From Washington.
WAsHINeToN, June i3-~ShortIy
before the adjournment OF Congress
Senator Hawley submitted report
from the committee on military af-
fairs, showing that number or vol
unteer officers and men had been paid
twice Tor their services and that the
double payment was legally made.
The officers and men OF the two West
Virginia regiments, Ii appears, were
among those thus favored. having re-
eeised pay both as State militia and
as United States troops for the time
between their arrlva. at tho place OF
rendezvous and their muster into the
service of the federal governments
Such pay was provided FOR by act Of
Congress In 1892 which act was con-
strued by the comptroller Of the treas
ury To mean that the Governor OF the
State Is entitled To recover from the
United States pay at the rates fixed
by the State laws as pay for the Ma
tional Guard for the services OF the
Officers and men for the period above
mentioned, Notwithstanding the off,
GERS and men have been already paid
by the United States for the same
period of service. Upder this ruling
the United States has paid to West
West Virginia its claim OF about $50,-
600 for pay and equipment Of State
troops, allowing the amounts paid
officers and men for service between
date of arrival at rendezvous and mus
ter in, the State OF West Virginia
having furnished receipts from the
officers and men for the amounts paid
them. These same officers and men
have also been paid for the same
period by the United States, receiving
the regular pay OF federal officers and
men, in addition TO their pay from
the State.
VIRGINIA DEBT QUESTION.
The fight over the Virginia debt
matter continued almost to the end
Of the session, resulting In the elimi-
nation OF the clause from the Senate
amendment providing for the settle
ment OF the claim against Virginia by
negotiation, and In the adoption Of
an amendment repeating that portion
of the Elkins law authorizing the
government TO begin suit against yIr-
einia and directing the Secretary of
the Treasury to discontinue any pro-
ceedlngs which he may have begun
uuder the authority OF that law.
This removes the possibility OF any
suit against Virginia to which West
Virginia might be made party
FOR RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
The sundry civil bill as passed con-
tanned the following appropriations
for river Improvements: For contin-
uing the construction OF dams NUM-
bered IL and Is In the Ohio river be-
low Pittsburg, $470, 900; for continu-
Ing the construction Of dams number
ed 2, 8, 4 and 5, between Davis Island
dam, and dam numbered 9 In the
Ohio river 1896, 900; for continuing
the improvement OF the Big Sandy
river in West Virginia and Kentucky
by the construction OF two locks and
dams between Louisa and mouth or
the river, $3.50, 900; for completing the
improvement OF the Monongahela
river at locks numbered 3 and 9 and
by construction OF floating plant
$l35, $50.
The general deficiency bill carries
two Items OF 80, $50 each for the re-
endorsement OF Senator Scott and
John T.. McGraw for their expenses
Incurred in the contest proceedings
involving Scott's title to a seat.
AGAINsIADRAw BRIDGES.
One OF the West Virginia measures
that failed Of passage was Congress-
man Dayton's bill to authorize the
Central Railway OF West Virginia to
build a bridge across the Monongahela
river at or near Morgantown. The
bill was reported back TO the House
a few days before Adjournment with
an amendment striking out the pro-
vision for draw bridge This was
done on the recommendation OF Gen
Wilson. chief Of engineers, whose ac-
tion was based on the following rec
ommendation OF Major Charles #.
Powell, corps Of engineers:
ssAll the bridges across the Mon0n-
gahela river are fixed bridges; none
have draws, and the character of nav
igation on the river is such that any
practicable bridge drawn would not
give sufficient channel opening. The
government has entered upon a slack
water improvement Of the river up
stream from Morgantown To It's head,
which Is expected to Accommodate
navigation Of the same character.
The banks of the river at and near
MOrgantnWn are reasonable high