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

Well now sir this was the language of the gentleman
from Kentucky the 18th day OF February S53 Con
eress then voted all the money asked for and then
informed that IL sufficient 10 ae cost
the building They had the bids and knew exactly TO
cent what they required to NIL up the And the
gentleman forward and openly proclaimed here that
the sum of SsTT45 was wanted and that lust that much
money he would ask for because that would complete
the building But on our return here at this session OF
Congress we ma that $4,000 than the spe-
Cited IN the bids then referred to is required TO complete
this custom-house
Mr. BRECKENRIDGE win the gentleman yield me
the hoor FOR an explanation?
Mr. LETCHER~ Certainly, win, for | desire to have
light thrown the subject
| Mr. BRECKINRIDGE As the gentleman who repre-
very brief explanation
Nh, LETCHER gave him notice that I wond speak
on the subject this evening
Mr. BREUKINRIDGE. / viii take his place as he is
not here Mr. Chairman my friend from Virginia r Mr.
ErcHER seems to intimate that there is attempt rob
the treasury plundcr il without any consideration OF
an additional sum OF money under the prcence Of
plotting the customhouse have nothing now to say in
reference to cnstom-houscs generally but respect this
particular cnstoni-house have this say; The estimates
for building made at the last session Of Congress
In the first place. the estimate made on conjecture
all estimates IN advance have to be made to large extent
and IN the next place. when the estimate made il
not contemplated to render the building fre-proof
go INTO no arguments now for the purpose Of showing
that important public buildings OF the United States
should be fre-proof An additional $4,000 was there
FORE asked for to complete the custom-house Louisville
The reason Of the necessity for this additional have
hrst place. to make ii re-proof and in the place
is well known and notorious fact that the increase in the
price Of labor and materials has been considerable within
the last twelve months From both of these causes the
additional appropriation asked for made necessary
MI LEICHEk win there be any application for an
M R 1R le Ts on na' ban
under contract and the government has nothing do with
employees When the present Secretary of the Treas
ury entered upon his duties he found the existing
Tor the erection OF this customhouse 1t to build
certain description of custom-house particular price
lie considered the contract extavagant and he found
sides that there arrangement make it freproo
Under the discretion given him he reopened the
tract and bids advertised for The bids which
he advertised for proposed to complete it at price
ing TO the sum already paid and To the asked for
That is the whole of the affair If Congress grant the
amount of money asked for the building will be completed
IN hreproof manner and OF such character this gov
ernment ought to wherever it has buildings Of that
sort Mt all.
Mr. LETCHER In the first place, if my friend from
Kentucky Mr. BREoKYRDGEl will look to the language OF
his colleague who is posted up this subject he will find
that he stated distinctly that the application of bidders
the contract fixed the cost at Sl62745 for "a safe
Corwins report he will find that he recommends
ton of hreproof building Louisville and states dis
tincty that the Louisville cusomhouse can be erected
and FURNISHED for STb,000.'
Mr.. BRECklNRIDGE That is that the contract made
by Mr. Corwin was to complete freproof building but
when Mr. Guthrie came into office he found that the build
ing was not hre-proo except in sort of way And If
the gentleman from Virginia will refer the report of the
Secretary Of the Treasury he viii see that
Mr.. LETCHER. have il here
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE Well read it. and you will find
that what is right.
Mr. LETCHER cannot refer to the passage just now,
but there is thing in regard it. If re-proof build
ing could be erected for $4,000 imagine complete fire.
proof building could have been erected for $7s45 But
ask sir IS II possible that the Secretary of the Treasury
has after year. represented this House that certain
sums of money were needed to erect reproof building
for this government and after he has had the appropra-
ons made that he has been guilty Of the folly OF contract
ing for the erection Of building that reproof2
But then in addition TO this why have all these
contracts been sent in here2 We had the Louisville bids
during the last Congress this hall The gentleman who
then represented that district stated that the appropriation
which asked for would build such house as the gov
ernment required And it me that with proper
economy THIS could he done yet cannot understand
why cannot be done and why the sum of slTs745
not build reproof house for single officer Louisville
when 10000 enough to build reproof house at Nor
folk. But there Is TO be pos-ofce and courtroom in
IL And viii any gentleman here that il is impossible
for nearly 100000 build re-proof custom-house for
one man, which shall contain post-ofce and court
| roomY
Now, let come TO the custom-house at Wilmington
which has attracted great deal oattention for two or three
years past 1t is suite an important point The
collected there in 1853 $500 10 and the
penses Ss,304 81, laughter and for that custom
house there will have been appropriated S3227 9S If this
$4,000 which now asked for shall he granted think
this government had better compromise and give them all
/ the revenue collected AZ that point
| Mr.. RIDDLE am sorry TO interrupt the gentleman,
but hope to be induged moment and only moment,
! for have been amused by the gentemans speech.
/ Mr. LETCHER Ihopc the gentleman will not make too
| long preface 10 Ihis romarks
| Mr. RIDDLE wish to show the inconsistency Of the
words OF the gentleman from Virginia Mr. LErcHrR
and dislike TO show IT, too for like to agree with the
gentleman Now the gentleman complains Of the appro
praon Of 100000 for the Louisville customhouse in the
whole $4,000 Of which is asked for now Now there is
required nj that point only collector and acoommods
tons for courtroom and post Office Now, admit that
the duties collected at Wilmington years very
small.
But IL the gentleman will take the trouble 10 look the
amount Of business transacted in the custohouse Will
min bp wi Tint bavp IN bawp uly
omhouse for collector and his deputy post Office for
this city courtroom for the United States courts but
have transacted there all the business Of Of the most
important lighthouse districts In the Union And " he
will look further he viii find that the general government
is paying for rent for accommodations for the
public business than the interest upon that appropriation
| win amount 10.
| Mr.. LETCHER. The gentleman has made a very nge-
nious statement and him due credit for It, believe
be carried without inconvenience in mans breeches
pocket mean dsrespec TO the State Of Delaware but
Il does 20 that for small State they have had
very liberal allowance The gentleman that great
deal Of business Is transacted there but after all IL does
not to me 70 amount 70 much Such has not
been made out will authorize to make further sppro-
priatons for this custom-house | will venture to say
there is place where custom-house has been asked for
that the member representing the locality could not make
out Just good in its favor the gentleman from
| Delaware has made out for Wilmington.
Mr. RIDDLE Task the gentleman 10 allow mo TO say
/ word more
| Mr.. LETCHER. Well, be as brief as possible.
Mr.. RIDDLE. We do not desire any appropriation for
the custom-house Wilmington that s not necessary
The city of Philadelphia is That city has
om-house where the collector has duties 10 dis
tlt.na att tn AnI bfo