The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-14


WEEKLY subscribers, with $40 enclosed ave WEEKLY sub
scrbers with $40 enclosed viii entitled copy the
edition as they furnish US Subscribers Tor, x,sfis
here, with the view of mparng value to the balance of
the property which retained in their hands There
is no force in that argument
But sir, rise say further that Congress is not CEN
surabe Tor want OF lberality to this District On the
contrary think this government has been liberal in the
extreme to this city. think, sir, that close examina-
ton of appropriations will show that have spent
far money in this District for the exclusive benefit of
this District than we have in many of States whose
population is equal to ten times the population of this
District. Well now, SIR a word IN relation to the bur
densome taxation OF the citizens OF the District have
had occasion to look into that remember that some
measure pending here, and this whole argument
(Which never had one solitary ioa OF reason in W about
the great donations made by the city to the federal
government was then urged, and It was pleaded
upon the part OF the corporation OF the District that
they were burdened by taxes and expenditures which
rendered it impossible for them to defray the ordi-
nary municipal expenditures of their city. l made
some inquiries upon the subject wrote to the audi.
tor of State and obtained from him the amount of
the taxes paid by the people OF the capital OF OhoCo
lumbuon their property and got exact statement of
it, sir, and it was well nigh three times much the
taxes paid by the people Of the District OF Columbia upon
their property obtained also the amount of taxes
paid ad paiorsm by the citizens OF Cincinnati and that
people of the District of Columbia. SO the argu-
ment about the nervousness of taxes here is not a
sound one Other cities Of this country pay.
greater tax. know it is the with the capital
of Ohio, and with the largest city in the west
the city of Cincinnati 1t is altogether mstake-a
total mistake. will not say, however, that making due
allowance for the popensi,ies OF our nature for trying
pay corporate expenditures out OF the public treasury
they are any worse than other people would be- II similarly
situated did not rise, therefore, to condemn them for
INDUCING very natural and somewhat excusa5e pro-
pensty. But, while do not condemn them, one
whose business it to defend the rights of the country at
argeto that there be money taken from the
public treasury than there be good reason given for
am inclined to oppose this amendment do not think it
is founded in reason Justice. With regard to this
particular NATTER do not know, sir that there can be
any great objection to it, if to get something for
the money And il it is to be DIVISION call it so if
purchase, call il And if it is purchase let
the title of the thing purchased come with it; that is all
hope that there will be amendment to the amend
ment, that part of the building designated in that
proposition will be the property OF the United States for
everthe fee simple passed 10 the government OF the
United States. Or lei the amendment be shaped as to
authorize the Secretary OF the Treasury or some other
public officer give much money for this part OF this
buildings and require to be appropriated IN finishing the
whole building That will probably be better amend
| Inent
Mr. HUNTER. Mr.. President only rise to say a
word in relation to the amendment before US do not
regard donation to the District II will be recol-
eced by all that the United States has paid for court
houses wherever it has erected them We have had the
OF this building since it was built and it is now
proposed to take half OF it, by paying hall the expenses
had supposed that the amendment was sufficient to
secure that object but if not shall be ready to accede
tered by the senator from Ohio, [Mr, ALLEsl The
people of The District would be glad to have him propose
such amendment, if he is not satisfied with the bill on
to finish the building, and finish II In such style as
may be worthy OF the capital OF the United States DO
and creditor with the District, that should be found
largely indebted to them. By no means But the idea
was that i was our duty a i has besa ne dspostloa
adorn and the metropolis Of this nation; pro-
vded we do not carry it to extravagant and unusu-
al length Now, SIR hope in THIS case 1t will be
saving to the government; because, unless we con-
tribute the amount proposed for the completion OF this
building, il would not be completed according to its
original plan, and should be obliged to build a
court house for the accommodation of the judiciary;
and that would cost us full as much, and probably
more than the amount named IN this bill. Inc OBJ
iec of the amendment to enough for the
courts of the United States, for the marshal OF the Dis
| trict, &c. llt
Although am disposed to be liberal to this District
not originally very great friend of the amendment
But sir, when had ascertaned the necessity for it
when found that there not room enough for the jul
should have to erect another building for that purpose,
unless added to the contained in this building it
seemed not only the cheapest but the most proper
mode OF eecng the obect because we not only secure
our objects in the best way but at the same time III
the mode most agreeable to the people of the District
the berality towards this District do not know if we
TO institute account of debtor and CREDITOR that
we should find that stood reemnent for liberaity
towards the District some may suppose 1t must be
remembered that they stand in peculiar position The
District has authority over Its seesthe widest
in the world believe They cannot alter street. or smut
for it has grown up very recentlyuntl lately large
portion of its population consisted of attaches and em-
poyees of this government and, sir, anything we give
to this District add to the conveniences OF the place
will be saving the salaries given 70 the employees of
the government for it will enable to employ them at
cheaper rate and may be considered payment OF part
of the compensation to them. Why, sir when we first
brought together the officers of this government was it
possible that this city should maintain all the appa-
ratus of municipal government without the aid OF
the federal government 1t is true that the city 10
now growing up and that they have means but
must be remembered that the appropriation now asked
for asked from the beralty OF Congress; but 1t
seems to me that it is founded in expedency and Jusce
We have either do this or to build them court house,
and submit to the Senate which would be the cheapest
think that the amendment points out the cheapest
mode and if in its terms it is not thought to be sum-
GENTLY explicit to to the United States room
enough for the courts, it may be amended But
II suSposed sir that we making the appropra-
ton upon that condition. We know that the District is
dependent upon our berality We annually make
appropriations to it and any man suppose that de.
pryes us of the enjoyment of the room we need, and
which the Secretary OF the Treasury may set apart Tor
our USE under the amendment! do not believe II but
there any here jealous on that score will vote
to put the amendment in clear shape as to secure that
object.
> Mr. MILLER. As one of the Committee on the Dis
trct of Columbia, which recommended this amendment.
desire say few words, sir regret that the chair
man of the Committee Finance should have made
his limitations of extravagant appropriations. so as
to throw the least prejudice upon this claim for
the that the treasury was in danger by the great
drafts upon it. hope the Senate will consider thls
amendment upon its own merits. am satisfied that II
they Of the thew will that