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

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! Mr. AFHERTON This is recommendation for the
expenditure of suitable amount for the completion OF
marks of my friend from Georgia. (Mr JoHNsoN) he
seems to have put forward claim the part OF the dis
trict because, at certain tme the United States have
had some use for this building for the records of the
Post Office Department. Now, SIR if we should enter
into debtor and creditor between this corpora
ton and the United States do not apprehend that the
District will have much to claim great deal from
the government of the United States and It seems to me
under all the circumstances that this appropriation that
is here to be granted by the United States ought
be called for now.
1t will be recoleced that at the last session, the ap-
preparations of the District of Columbia were exceed.
ngly liberal There many appropriations which
afforded much benefit to the District the present bill and
think may say to my friend upon the other side Of the
chamber, that something s due to the general consera
ions In relation to the state treasuryhat ought not
go on increasing our appropriations without knowing
the point at which it may land Now, sir, some
remarkably unexceptonable shape | will mention,
Tor one that tor the army, which contains not one
single provision, except an appropriation for pardon
OF existing laws in this bill it from the
House than usual and there were very few amend
ments believe introduced into this bill, which were
not sanctioned by the CommtteeNof Ways and Means
! in the House The amendment which the Senate
have already introduced into this bill will amount to a
amendment making an appropriation for custom house
in Charleston of $4,000; at Savannah of $4,000
which were not before the Committee Finance There
is also large appropriation for New Oreans and there
several other amendments which have considerably
increased the appropriations OF this bill above the amount
asi came from the House. 1t was there considerably
increased on the estimate of the department. 1t will be
recolected BY the gentleman that single amendment
made in the Indian appropriation bill increased the ex
pendturs in amount 81 ,2ooo 600 for the fiscal year
Mr.. KING. / can but admire the course pursued by
the honorable chairman of the Committee Finance
He discharges his daty with zeal and ability and
deavors guard all these bills against all amendments
which do not come legtmaely within the scope of the
bill under consideration. Now, sir if there any
other way by which we could pass this appropriation,
int n hofor oil,
myself agree with him that it would be very improper
insert here But that principle has already been de-
parted FROM and departed from in several instances
toned by the senator himself
| With regard to the District OF Columbia, am one of
those who believe that it Is the duty of Congress to
else great berality The situation of the people is
such that unless Congress is liberal with regard 10 the
streets and public buildings, it is utterly impossible that
this city can be convenient it ought be for the
OF every part OF the country that this city should be made
as convenient as possible have, therefore, uniformly
Departed as far as could from the rules Of rigid exact
to the account of debtor and CREDITOR think the gentle
will find himself mistaken, if he will enter into
examination of the amount received by the government,
and the amount appropriated for the District The prop
erly yielded to US Is OF immense value. portion of
has been sold by the government, and immense por
ton of the territory remains in the possession of the
government With regard to this particular building, the
government Of the United States wanting building for
ts district courts and for the criminal and other courts
for tho. purpose the city literally offering portion
Of this building for that purpose. They merely appro
ing convenient for the holding of the These rooms
had been used by the United States courts for some twelve
or fifteen years.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia For twenty five years
Mr.. KING. Very likely-that is longer than
thought; but they have been for this time in the
of the United States, and we have paid dollar
for them, the appropriation being all exhausted in fitting
up the rooms necessary for the holding of the
Now, sir, is It not properaking into consideration
that this city have gone into the expense of erecting
this building which has been given up to the OF
I the United States, without receiving dollar
: by way Of rent in compensation therefor-that we
should at this time make further appropriation in order
that the building may be completed 1t is eyesor
Every one that looks at it, regrets that it is not finished
Should not vote the money TO complete building of
which have had the benefit for so long without pay
ing rent for it, shall for the amendment, sir
with great pleasure as shall every occasion, when
consider it necessary to make appropriations to render
this city convenient for the sitting of Congress- do it
upon high and national grounds. fwant to see the seat
OF government remain here want to see the city here
who are called to discharge the public business OF the
people to continue the seat of government at Washing
ton that there may be no wish for its removal Sir it is
the city of Washington There are associations connect
ed with it, and let us make it convenient and comfort
able as possible, carefully removing from it anything
which may be offensive, have the appearance of bad
taste, that this may ever be the capital of the United
States
and another that learn will be offered after it. will
vote for it, and twice the amount for this city, and with
out any restriction as to its mode Of expenditure but
leaving tndt 10 inc CITY councils. Anu Will ms
act OF sheer justice There is favor about it,
none at all would do every session if to stay
here my whole life. And now, sir. will state the prin-
cipe on which would do so. have the injustice
and oppression of the United States landed propre
tor In my State she I92Ohs of all the lands as
proprietor She pays no taXes-not cent. She builds
no roads-makes no bridges. No, the pioneer settler
does all for her. and the United States hucksers and ped
dies out the public lands made saIeabe by the labor of
think this is system Sois it in this city. In the
first place the propretors of Washington gave the United
States e-haf of all the lands She has sold one-half
of her moety for nearly million of dollars and has
besides all the public lots She owns about half OF
the real estate in the city With the improvements is
worth eight, perhaps ten millions of dollars
She does not pay one farthng OF taxes for this The
900 a year. This is unjust. would for the pay
ment to the city councils annually of fair taxes the
public property here, and the United States should pay
taxes also the States for their lands This $50 900 is
not quarter much should pay yearly taxes
and we should besides the taxes pay for the city proper
ty used by us fair rents. II | am not mistaken, the
new States before long will establish juster rules this
subject than have heretofore been followed.
Mr. ALLEN asked 10 have the amendment read again.
1t was accordingly read.
Mr. ALLEN | do not know exactly the effect OF this
: amendment would inquire, therefore, of the mover
whether it is designed purchase by the government
of the United States Of half Of this building III that be
the case the amendment ought to say So As is, the
amendment does say and the property OF the build
ing will remain with the corporation alter the passage OF
this amendment precisely il now remains with the
corporation There been observations made,
sir in the propriey of which cannot agree, and by
my friend from Alabama tMr. KING He wishes to
give an eternity of location OF the capital of the United
States to the District Of Columbia am of opinion, sir