The daily union., 1852-09-05

preserved 10 the remotest period, kept in the
bsenen OF the building where some OF them have been
destroyed by mlldew and moisture. hold, therefore
that the government Will do well 10 secure this building
as depository OF the public archives, should erect
buildings sufficient TO accommodate all requisite clerical
force
Then. TO the characero this building was erect
ed tor the use OF the goyernmentereced under
standing with the Secretary Of one oi the departments,
who knew the wants OF the government; who knew It's
interests; who knew that fire proof building was me-
cessary Tor lis II known that great loss had
been sustained by the in consequence OF the
want OF such building This building is composed OF
the very best materials and built in the most faithful
manner, and is entirely freproof from top 10 bottom.
The doors are OF iron, and the sair-cases are OF
cast iron Ia regard 10 the solldy OF the structure,
would say that see attached 10 the report OF the
Committee on Public Buildings OF the House a
certificate from Mr.. Walter the architect from Mr. Ward
the builder and from Mr. Mills the architect. certifying
TO It's soldy, and that is buill in the most substantial
manner II Is very large building, OF two hundred and
nine feet front on the one sde and one hundred and
feet front the other, and fifty three feet deep There
are in i one hundred and thirty Ioomsthe same number
as IN the Treasury building. There is about twice as
much land as the building stands upon, and the land
alone would be worth more than $4,000 now. There
2e 900 ee OF land The building opposite 10 the
War and Navy Departments, and will be for all time very
convenient for them Colonel Graham, of the engineel
corps, in letter OF his which find appended TO the
House report, says:
"The walls OF the building in question are massive and
they appear TO be well and securely laid.
rooms have always been II the fourth or uppermos'
much preferred this story to any other par
OF the building
"The ways of cast iron are of easy slope causing
but little fatigue n ascending and hero free from
noise, buse and dust of the Streets while in
enjoy the coolest breezes that pass over the city.
The draughlsmen engaged in my office in the most
delicate drawings. have perceived the slightest
steady here upon slound oor, which certainly
strong proof OF the pernanency Of It's construction and
the soiidv OF its walls"
This is the best proof Of the sodty of the structure.
These architects and builders testify that such build
ing, exclusive OF the ground would cost the government
TO build It not less than $40 600 One OF them says il
would exceed $3.50. 900. believe il has been econom
cally erecedthat is, believe little money has been
expended on It as such building required do not be-
eve the owner will make any money by selling it cut
to the government at The price he will receive by the
amendment, while believe that the government would
economically do very good thing, and at the time
secure suitable building for depository OF the public
archives, even if they had sufficient buildings for the
commodatIon OF the clerical force.
Mr.. CLARKE. shall certainly not undertake to con-
rovert the certificate which the honorable senator from
Maryland has produced But will venture to say this
that there is not of forty years OF age, boy of
fifteen, who cannot get certificates he chooses, that
anything is right and proper II were to obtain rays OF
mooashine. and concentrate them, could get certif-
cate in elghtand-t forty hours that they ndesuct-
ole. tLaughter1
Now sir, to this building how long is il since the
root went of and went into the yard of the Navy De.
partment, destroying number of trees there | think
only Two or three years since. | inquired, when that
occurred, what was the matter and was said that
the mbers above, which the raers were laid,
were placed directly on the top OF the wall, and that
the sheet-iron or tin upon the roof having been lifted
little. the wind got under il and took the whole thing
right OIL Not long siHce il SAID there earth.
quake here, and that OF the walls of this building
were somewhat cracked and shaken. | know not
whether that was true, bu, have not much doubt Of it
come back however, to the very ground which took
in the first place and that is, that unless this is sruc.
ture wanted charnel- house, in which TO put your
archives so that they may be out OF the way entirely,
Allow say that there is already proposition for
extending the Treasury building. My honorable friend
IRON Virginia, lr HUNTER l-and there Is no gentle.
man with whom converse and associate in whom nave
confdence-proposed TO me, one of the Commit.
tee on Puoc Buildings, to recommend the addition OF
northern and southern wings to the Treasury building in
order 10 give 10 that department all the room that it
Quires Ii is well known that dislike calling names
but must say that the Department OF the Interior
pies building hired OF Mr.. Corcoran | know nothing
about the rent paid or It, but do not believe II is rented
for less than II could be got for elsewhere The De-
partnent OF the Interior is iu that building The
Penslon Office is in Wnders building, as it is called
aud some portion OF the Land Office is also there
Nov, candidly believe il is time that this govern
ment came 10 The determination that it would con
slruct It's own edhces for the use OF its own de-
partmens. | rccollect that not more than two years
since, an honorable gentleman, who then a member
OF this body, tMt Dickinson opposed Appropriation
for putting additional wing TO the Patent Ohce and
why ! Because 1t was not necessary. lie and had
some conlehton upon the subject them ami be produced
evidence 10 show that the Commissioner OF Patents did
require any more room, and that there room enough
10 he present building tor all the purposes OF the Patent
Ohce II was thea said that portion OF The curoslles
that have been brought home by the exploring expeIi
ton were to be taken 10 the Smithsonian Institution
But We concluded to go with the Patent Oce build.
ing IL has been gone on with, and one wing has been
built and to look upon from the outside, IT is very
beautiful structure.
There is appropriation in this bill for the consiruc-
hon OF the western wing OF the Patent Ohce For what
IS II waned' The present Secretary OF the Interior has
told me over and again that II would be great
parent, and the clerks and all the branches OF il, in
building, and he desires that the western wing OF the
Patent Obce should be appropriated TO the Department
OF the Interior Ii strikes that IL is very proper
place for him. think IL is wrong TO have him 10 one
building, the Pension Ofce in another and some other
OF the offices OF his department in another do not like
this. am honest about IT, candidy say do not like
moaiss sc Of Dollars IN the treasury ana aa Y ",eo"
bonds into market at eighty per nt--aowlng
individuals, under any CIRCUMSTANCES 10 bud shells oi
buildings for the government 10 hire and then with an IN
direct appropriation and pay for them The govern
ment does not want this building has got lis own ands
which erect It's buildings There is an appropriation
in this bill OF $4,000 Tor enclosing some land N the ey
belonging to the United Staes and which was needed
for building purposes and there is another provision
making an appropriation of $3.50 for fencing IN that
little triangle, about GOO feet in circumference, opposite
the Unon office. choose to designate II in thai way,
occasion TO 20 there than have, and perhaps you will
know better by that designation than IN any other
way. -
Mr. WELLER. Let me correct the senator. That
the amount originally proposed but the chairman OF
the Committee Finance proposed to make II S9sOo,
aud when the question taken on that amendment,
nobody voted in the affirmative, and voted IN the mega
/. ul.l.s -. fhpr MI