Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-06-27

ment ma Iuli-
Congressman Burton of Delaware. |
according Co those Who are familiar |
with the facts In the caae hy dint of |
hard work secured the passage of o. |
joint resolution through the House of |
Representatives which promises, in |
due course of time, Co lead to the con.
struction of canal from tho Chosa- |
peake TO the Delaware Bays cauahle |
of accommodating the largest ships.
His resolution provided chat tine presi-
dent OF the United States be- author.
ICED TO appoint q commission consist
ing OF an officer of the Engineer Corps
of the army, an officer of the navy
and civil engineer Co estimate tho
value of the present Chesapeake and
Delaware Canal and also 20 survey
another route known as the Sassafras
route and report upon the same TO
Congress. An appropriation of $4,000
is provided for the work
This is the usual step preliminary
20 undertaking the work on harbors or
canals, and in this way ohligates the
government IN sense, to complete
The project.
misunderstanding of the whole matter,
as indicated by press dispatches sent
over the country, and q great Injustice
has been done TO DR.. Burton, the Dela-
wars Representative in Congress. The
credit of securing this legislation was
given, by mistake, TO Congressman
| Mudd of Maryland. who introduced
| the original resolution In the Fifty
eighth Congress. Three States, namely,
! Delaware, Pennsylvania and Mary
land, bore a portion Of the expense Of
| constructing the old canal. Repre-
sentative Mudd introduced the same
resolution in this Congress, after
| boing urged Co do so by Dr. Burton,
/ although Mr.. Mudd believed that it
could not be passed and repeatedly
said so. After the introduction, Mr..
/ Mudd did nothing more, but DR.. Bur
ton took 1t up and pushed its passage
! before the House committee ON rail-
ways and canals. IL required atten-
tion and much hard work before that
committee, but it was reported unani-
mously. After this report the Della
ware Representative urged Congress
man Mudd repeatedly TO move at once
for the passage of the resolution In the
House, but Congressman Mudd always
said that 10 could not be passed, as
| the Speaker was either indifferent or
| hostile TO it. Finally, Representative
Burton concluded that he would have
| to take the matter entirely in his
own hands and he called upon other
| influential House members to assist
| him in getting the Speaker Interested.
| He talked with Congressman Burton
of Ohio, chairman of the rivers and
harbors committee, Chairman David
son of the railways and canals COM
mittee, Congressman Dalzell Of Penn
sylyania and other leaders of the
House, who urged the Speaker TO per-
init the consideration ana passage Of
the resolution.
Finally, the Speaker informed the
Delaware Representative that he would
recognize him to bring 10 up and
secure its final passaage. Mr.. Mudd,
when be discovercd that the resolution
would be considered hy the House,
asked for delay until be could be pres.
ent. and two or three days delay was
conceded by DR. Burton.
On Wednesday of last week, Repre-
sentative Burton was recognized hy
the Speaker, and after calling the
Mudd resolution up and making a few
remarks upon the history, scope anC
great utility of the proposed dpel
water canal, it was passed, although
for a time Representative Clark O
Missouri manifested some disposition
10 fight the proposition. Mr. Burton
remarks, showing the great import
ance of the proposed waterway, re-
moved all opposition and the resolu
} | tion passed after the suspension of th
rules hy "a two thirds vote. 10 is gen.
orally regarded as one of the most i'm
portant pieces of legislation passed Il
behalf of Delaware and Maryland b.
Congress in many years, and the Della
b ware Congressman has been freel.
conpratulated for his unexpected sue
cess as a new member of the House.
Within one hour after the resolutio
had PASSED the House, Congressma
Burton went into the Senate chambe
' to find Senator Alice of Delaware, D.
order 10 have the Senate immediatel
consider the measure. Not finding Oh
Senator on the floor Of the Senate
Congressman Burton went TO his com
mittee room, where he came up Will
him. and there the matter was at ono
talked over. In consequence, Senate
Alice went to Senator Nelson, chail
: man pro TEN Of tho committee on IN
tefstata commerce of the Senate, an
secured that eentleman's promise T
J. have the resolution reported nom h
committee the next day.
But in order TO get the resblutlo
before the above mentioned commit
tee, it had to be engrossed in u
House that evening. Congressma
Burton also succeeded in having tn
done. after a great deal of energet
endeayor. and as agreed the bill va
the next day reported in the Senat
And an that Mr.. Mudd had to do wit
this was that he followed Cougres
man Burton into the engrossing olh
a. and seconded the latter's request f
Of promrt ASTON and engrcssmen
as Later the resolution was concurred
al by the Senate and now awaits Il
or Presidents signature.