Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-27

Mr.. LETCHER could not understand why this appro-
praon was needed he observed the other day that
the grounds in question pretty well levened de
should vote against the amendment believing IL high time
that the House should give Government officers under
stand that they not beyond the amount appro
priated by Congress
Mr.. HOUSTON advocated the amendment, stating that
the improvement of the grounds would be conducive to
the health Of the occupants of the Executive mansion
Mr.. CAMPBELL inquired il this appropriation should
be made would improve the political atmosphere OF the
White House!
Mr. HOUSTON replied that the political atmosphere of
the Democratic party pure now, and was improved
by the action Of the House last night
The debate was extended to some length, when,
On motion of Mr. STANTON, Of Kentucky, the amend
ment was amended by adding thereto the following:
"Por furnishing additional number of iron seees for
the Presidents and Capitol grounds, $1,000"
The amendment, thus amended, was then con-
CURED in.
The following amendments non-concurred in:
For iron tagging in front of the old portion of the Patent
Office building and altering windows and private stairway,
For altering and repavng front of the east wing
Of the Patent Office building, iron railing and tagging and
painting new saloon, $l4,25O."
The following amendment was concurred in:
For furnishing the of the new wing Of the Patent
Office building with urniure and providing the saloon there
in with cases for models, S45, 000."
When the amendment aFproprating $500, 900 for
inuing the works for bringing water into the city OF
Washington was read
Mr.. PHELPS stated that the Committee of Ways and
Already 100000 had been appropriated for the
construction Of these works. and he believed that nearly
all of that had been expended On the plan upon
which that amount had been expended the committee
were informed that the estimates Of the engineer showed
that aggregate expenditure of 100000 would be
required for its completion This the calculation of
the engineer having charge Of the work. but experience
showed that the expenditures always exceeded the es
mates Another plan had been proposed by Mr. Saomon
which he thought would involve more than about
ST, 100000, and which, it was said, would afford an am
pie supply Of water for this city should its growth
exceed the antcipations of its friends For these
the committee had recommended concurrence
! in the amendment
Mr. HAMILTON referred to the history of the work,
and urged its continuance He opposed to the pro-
ect originally, but 100000 had been expended, the
work had been commenced the lands in Maryland had
been condemned contracts in embryo at least had been
entered into, and every arrangement made for its
tnnance Ii the House were determined that this work
should not be abandoned this was the proper time to
make an appropriation.
| Mr. STEPHENS, Of Georgia, hoped the committee
would in the amendment and that this great pro-
feet would be carried out.
i Mr. SMITH, of Virginia inquired whether if this APP
preparation should be refused the Government would not
lose the sum which had already been expended on the
work?
Mr. PHELPS replied that il the House should see fit to
adopt another plan which would much less money
it would be better for the Government to lose the sum
already expended. Isl.
Mr. SMITH ofyirginia inquired, further, whether this
not the plan which the President of the United States
had adopted?
Mr. PHELPS replied it was but that should not pre-
clude Congress from adopting another plan
/ Mr. STANTON, of Kentucky, said that this was pro-
ect which he honestly believed would cost the Govern
So 900 600, while the estimate was 81, 100000 He
exhibited maps of the Rock Greek pan by which he said
900 gallons of could be furnished daily at
cost Of $500 000 while only 80 600 daily could be
furnished from the Great Falls at cost of 000 OOO
Mr. HAMILTON said that the statement of the gentle
man from Kentucky must necessarily carry deception
upon its face gentlemen would refer to the report of
Capt Meigs they would find that Rock Creek could not
supply this city with than from eight to ten mil
lions Of gallons daily while the Great Falls of the Poto
could furnish sxtyseven millions daily at oil sea-
! sons of the year.
Mr. STANTON said that he stated that three mil
lions Of gallons would be contained in the dam at Rock
Greek.
i Mr.. HILLYER said that the water Of Rock Creek was
not supposed to be pure was suitable to supply
large city The Potomac river came from the mountains
and water could be purer 1t desirable that the
water to be supplied to the people Of this city should be
from the purest and he thought that the
President and engineer should be sustained by the udg
ment Of the House. He knew that the plan involved
large amount, but it proper the selecton should b
made at the right point.
Mr. BAYLY OF Virginia said that Rock Creek was thu
little which divided Washington and Georgetown
and from what was its banks he should not think il
good drinking water.
Mr. MILLSON could not what obligation rested
upon the people Of the United States at large to supply
the inhabitants of the city of Washington with drinking
water If these works designed for some purpose
for which they could properly appropriate the money Of
| the people of the couRtry, let it be shown.
4 Mr.. CRAIGE inquired if the Government had not a
large Of property here which paid no taxes and
had not the also large number of employees
4 who were to be supplied?
Il Mr. MILLSON did not see why the Government should
pay taxes to the city of Washington people of this
city should bring into it for their and the
Government should have occasion to it it would pay
for it.
Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee had heard practical gen.
Il fha MIR of apt
less than seven millions Of dollars and he ventured to
assert that ii would not cost less than FIVE millions. The
whole project extravagant and ought not to
be adopted Some economical plan should be SUBJ
i sttuted for the in progress.
Mr.. TAYLOR, of Ohio, took il for granted that the
President and Secretary of War obtained the best nor
nation they could before adopting the present plan and
the House should upon their recommendation. While
he was against any extravagant appropriation for intro
ducing into this city he thought past history
made imperative tat Congress should provide for the
safety Of the archives and public buildings of the Govern
| ment
Mr. STANTON of kentucky, said that because the Pre-
sdent approved of the plan ought not to deter Congress
from acting tie subject Neither OF the plans had been
submitted 10 Congress.
Mr. BARRY said that the question not which Of the
plans should be adopted II this to be pur-
sued they could complete the work. because ut
every session of Congress outside influences would be
brought bear against the particular pa0 adopted He
| thought the appropriation should be agreed TO.
! Mr. WRIGHT, of Pennsylvania, had no objection to
supplying this city with water asthe Government had
much money invested here in public buildings If this
could be effected by expenditure Of 5000 o0O but he
would agree to appropriate three or five millions for