The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-15

gress would then appropriate sufficient the
cost OF the lots purchased ST Louis and Cincinnati
Those appropriations madei and from that time TO
the present session after session have been appropra-
ting money for the purpose Of carrying these CUSTOM
houses nnnl the appropriations have the enormous
SUM OF 1z2T for St Louis where not stone has been
laid as hear and S2l2745 for Cincinnati From present
appearances and from the experience which have had
IL is not certain if you make the appropriation
provided for in this biyiz 100000 for St Louis and
$4,000 for Cinennattha these custom-houses will be
completed without further appropriations from the treas
No OF regard seems to have been paid by the public
officers to the limitations put by Congress in their
sucting the expenditures 10 given There was linn
tton liked in both of these cases Mr. Corwn admits 1t
first departed from consequence of the cost Of the site
Additional appropriations were then made and instead of
conforming the buildings in their character and appear
ance TO The amount OF the appropriations the law OF the
land was disregarded and they went making contracts
without the slightest respect for the law and depending
the beraiy OF Congress TO supply whatever sum might
be found thereafter TO be necessary Now sir hold thar
l. Is ts duty Of all officers Of this government TO execute
the law as Is criten Whenever Congress makes APP
propriaon of $4,000, OF any other sum- for specific
purpose that purpose cannot be accomplished for the
designated il is their duty let the until
they get the advice of Congress- and have the law
changed All officers of the government should be taught
the useful lesson should be made to understand that the
which has been appropriated Now there has already
been appropriated for this customhouse a St Louis 22
100000 more provided for this bill makes 1921
000 and all this after Congress had limited the appropria
ton to $4,000 at the start.
The next case is the customhouse at Mobile There has
been appropriated for that $500 oO0 and SG5OOO more
provided for in this bill The whole amount of
collected at that port in 1853 was Slo298 Az at cost of
S2a,595 43.
See the difference here in the amount OF collect
ed and in the cost OF collection compared with St Louis
The expense St Louis for collecting 1924 900 $243s
the expense at Mobile for collecting Sl029Sl is Sos595
Now, let what Mr.. Corwin said in reference to
Mob lie at that time:
.'MoBuEThe limit fixed by Congress for this building
and site y 100000 besides the sale of the old custom
the former custom house and bought additional ground ad
joining at cost OF $500 On account Of the high prices
win be able suitable building bal
of the appropriation and therefore plan has been
ment would respectfully recommend additional appopria
t'o" Of 100000 80 Ma' SUITABLE BUILDING could be
erected 70 accommodate the custom house post office, and other
| public offices Of the United States =
Two hundred thousand dollars is all Mr.. Corwn asked
to suitable building for custom-house post Office
&c, al Mobile cannot understand how it Is that a con-
tract made for the S200O00 appropriated by Con-
gress long ago. instead of allowing the matter to remain
open But it is and hence the application 10 Congress
for further appropriation Of S65000 How much
realized from the sale OF the old customhouse does not APP
pear in any of the documents that have this
appropriation shall be made they will have received $685.
600 directly from the treasury besides the that the old
cuson-house may have sold for.
Mr. PHILLIPS, (interruptngD The additional amount,
if you choose call il so asked for Mobile is to pro-
vide not only for custom-house but for the accommoda
ton OF the circuit and district of the United States
and the post oieeores for which the government has
been payug heretofore the OF four five
thousand dollars per annum
In reference the additional amount now asked for it
siandsa this position and does justify the gentleman
in charging the officers OF the with exceeding
the law which ought TO regulate their conduct Contracts
have been made for the of the appropriation and
the Secretary of the Treasury looking fact
construct building such would make the government
archives and the government property entirely
could not be accomplished for the amount already appro
priaed has said TO Congress that with additional ap
preparation of S65Oo0 building can be made frs-proof
and perfectly But IL Congress does choose
grant that contract has been made for it. and the
tracts would be completed under the appropriation made
heretofore. Now would ask the gentleman from Yir
gina--in whose Judgment have great conhdence-
whether looking the number Of employees Of the
government required al this point which Is the third
porting city of the Union The whole amount asked for
s265oOO is unreasonable inappropriate amount for
! such purpose?
Mr. LETCHER In the first place the clause which
read from Mr. Corwus report that this appropra
ton of 100000 to erect "A suitable building" TO
commodate the custom-house post Office and other public
Offices Of the United States
But my friend from Alabama Nir PHrILPsl says that
this is not sufficient to put up the custom-house in
\ Mr.. PHILLIPS To make II Rre-proof
/ Mr. LETCHER Let what Mr.. Corwin says about
It. The following extract in regard to the mode Of erecting
cusomhouses win be found in the document from
which the previous extract has been taken and shows that
he looked to the construction of freprog buildings;
j "These cities are increasing rapidly that what might
be cnsdered sufficient Recommendations for the above pnr
poses this time viii probably be entirely inadequate in the
]
qure either 70 be extended entirely rebuilt 1t should
also be an indispensable requisite in all public buildings be
hereafter erected, that they should be perfectly Grcproo
both from me tari0r aud cteror and IL but right and
proper such structures should be only well and sub
Aanay built but should, within reasonable limits, be fin
shed ~ hanasome and ornamental manner both inde and
out That all these requisites be obtained 10 build
ing OF the size the OF which II limited 10 fifty
thousand dollars, very apparent That limit would obge
tho department the Of brick material and 10 adopt
such should be the with all public structures. Bd
Hgs for ne oborc puposs, rcyy itabe and proper, and
nth accommodations only cenff for the present, but for
c probable future ndns Of the goUorHnen for long period
It earnestly recommended that such increased appro
priaons should be made Another for granting this
that Il would prevent what might be considered
nvidens distinction between these two cities and those of
Cincinnati and st. Louis where larger amount has been
appropriated
This document contains list Of cusom-houses begin
ming with that Of Bangor Maine aud closing with Nor
folk and Mr. Corwin distinctly in making his
concentrations that he is looking only to the present
hut TO the future wants OF the country in connexon with
improvements Of this kind understand from my friend
from Alabama Mr. PHnLIPs that there contracts
TO make that custom-house iroproot If you will 60 back
to the economical days Of predecessors you will find
that cusomhouss did not cost tithe Of the money which
is laid out for their erection will tell You what
the difference The object is TO boaufy and
ado the cities where they erected raise the price Of
property by selecting particular locauonshus promoting
the private interests Of individuals In old times the To-
cations selected and the houses built with reference to
tho accommodation OF the government and the promotion
Of It's interests aud convenience
II Mr. PHILLIPS The Of Mobile s the weakest one
you have cited 70 support your argument
Mr. LETCHER God help the strongest then. Laugh
4 t...--ut- He.. ...z.,..,... IL.