Washington sentinel., 1854-05-24

to the health of the inmates of the Presidents
House.
Debate ensued, for and against the proposed
appropriation, during which
Mr.. CAMPBELL inquired whether il would
purify the political atmosphere about The White
House.
Mr.. HOUSTON could only reply that the at.
mosphere Of this Hall was considerable improved
by the action ofthe House last night.
The above named amendment was concurred
IN, with an additional one, offered by Mr. STANTON,
OF kentucky appropriatlng $1,000 for the pur-
chase of iron settees for the Capitol and Presi-
dents grounds
The committee agreed 10 the following amend
ment of The Senate.
For furnishing the rooms of the new wing of
the Patent Office building with furniture and pro-
viding the saloon therein with cases for models,
S45000n
Other amendments were concurred in.
WATER WORKS.
The following amendment having been read,
and the question stated on concurring in il
For continuing the works for bringing water
into the city of Washngton $5OOO0On
Mr.. PHELPS said the Committee of WAYS
and Means recommend Inconvenience in the
amendment. Already 100000 has been appro-
prated for the purpose, and he believed nearly all
Off has been expended. On the plan upon which
that amount has been expended the committee
were informed that the estimates OF the engineers
show an aggregate expenditure of 50 3O00 000 This
was the calculation OF the engineer having charge
OF the work; but experience showed that the ex-
penditures always exceed the estimates. Another
plan was proposed by Mr.. Salomon He thought
this plan would not involve more than about
81 100000. For these reasons the committee had
recommended a non-concurrence in the amend
ment.
Mr. HAMILTON was opposed 10 the recon-
mendation. He referred TO the history oftbe work
Ha xuas a..I 80,
this project originally; but the work has been
commenced, $1,000 has already been expended
lands have been condemned, contracts, in embrvo
have been entered into, and every arrangement
made for its continuance. The plan has been an
proved by the President Of the United States and
the Secretary Of War, and has therefore, sufficient
ground TO stand on, with view to further appro-
priaions.
Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia, said the Senate's
amendment provides for supplying Washington
and Georgetown with water. He hoped the great
project would be carried out, and those cities sup
piled with pure water
Mr.. SMITH Of Virginia, inquired whether, if
this appropriation should not be made, the money
already appropriated would not be lost?
MIR. PHELPS replied that ifthe House should
adopt another plan, which would cost less, then
they would lose the 100000 already expended
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia, further inquired,
whether this was not the plan which the President
of the United States had adopted?
Mr.. PHELPS replied it was; but this did not
preclude Congress from adopting another plan
Mr.. STANTON, Of Kentucky, said this project
was to cost the government not less than S5 600 OOO
while the estimate is S2,300,000. He exhibited
maps Of the Rock Greek plan, by Colonel Hughes,
by which he said that 23l 100000 gallons of water
daily, could be furnished, at cost of $500, 900 !;
while only S2,000,000 gallons Of water would be
furnished from the Great Falls, at cost of
S5,000,000.
Mr. HAMILTON said that the statement Of the
Iran 10 MI m n,pSt oar AZ :.
Creek cannoi supply over ten millions of gallons
of water daily, while the Great Falls of the Poto-
mac can supply eight or ten times as much at all
seasons Of the year.
MIR. HILYER said that the water of Rock Creek
was not supposed TO be pure and suitable for
great city. The Potomac water comes from the
mountains, and none can be purer. 1t was desi-
rable water should be brought from the purest
source. He though that the President and enyi-
neer ought TO be sustained blythe judgment Of the
House. He knew that the plan involved large
amount, but II was proper the selection should be
made at the true point.
Mr.. BAYLY said every body knew Rock Creek
is little branch which runs between Georgetown
and Washington, and froal what is its banks
he did not think il was good drinking water
Mr.. MILLSON could not see the Justice of sup
plying the people of Washington with water al
the expense of the government If the water
works are designed for the government, let it be
shown.
Mr. CRAIGE inquired, have we not large
amount OF properly which pays no taxes, and have
we not large number of employees who are to be
supplied?
Mr.. MILLSON did not see why his constitu
ents, who have to drink bad water should pay
taxes for supplying the people of Washington with
much better wafer. II the people should bring
water into the city and the government make use
Of il let il be paid for by the government.
MIR. STANTON. of Tennessee, had heard prac-
tical gentlemen say that the plan Of Captain Meirs
lass Than Ct Qa0 000. nd h,,
10 sertthat it would not cost less than S5O00,-
000 The whole plan was extravagant and ought
not to be adopted If Washington is TO be sup
piled with water, it should be done on some
cheaper plan.
Mr. TAYLOR, of Ohio, referred to the previous
Legislation of Congress on this subject. Ifit was
preferable TO leave the selection of plan 10 the
President and the Secretary Of War, il seemed
entirely Judicious TO adhere TO it, unless good
reasons can be shown to the contrary. Statements
which had been referred TO were incorrect.
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky, said that because
the President had approved of the plan ought not
to deter Congress from acting upon the subject |
Neither OF the plans had been submitted 10 Con- |
gress.
Mr.. BARRY said that the President had adopted
a plan, in accordance with which the work had |
been commenced. Ifthis plan was TO be the sub |
Iect OF opposition and examination every time an |
is asked for, it would never be con-
summated because at every session outside inlu I
W.,
give the glory Of the achievement to another set I
Of men.
Messrs. WRIGHT OF Pennsylvania, RIDDLE,
BAYLY, SHELTON, SAGE, and |
STANTON, of Tennessee, continued the debate !;
before terminating which the committee rose
SUMNER TRIM.
Mr.. HOUSTON offered the following resolution
or the consideration of the House:
Resolped, That when the House adjourn on Wednesday
he 3ls instant. 1t will adjourn to meet Thursday
irst day Of June, ut eight o'clock m and when the
House adjourn that day. 1t shall adjourn meet on
Monday June 5h and that the doorkeeper instructed
and ret the hall Of the House for the summer
ession.
Mr.. STANTON, OF Tennessee, offered the fol-
owing amendment:
Resored That the Clerk of the House be directed to re-
the chairs at present in the House, and substitute
lew suitable for
Mr.. STANTON said, we want lighter chairs,
hat we may with more facility get in and out Of
,ur seats.
The resolution, as thus amended, was adopted.
And the House adjourned
An ELEPHANT ABOARD A STEAMBoAT.-When
he elephant went up the lake on the steamer