The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-15
From the New York Courier and Enquirer
HASTY LEGISLATION.

Congress is rarely guilty of hasty legislation, exec
when relies upon the information OF of its mem
bers who either guided by corrupt motives happens
to led through the fasehood Of interested
parties of this kind has recently occurred which
SO papabe and be attended with such das-
trous consequences the country that hope the
corrected by the Senate in time to avert the
quences of very gross error growing out of ignorance
and corruption combined We allude of course to tn
proviso put into the appropriation bill by the House o.
representatives requiring the construction of the pub
buildings cusun-houses &c, TO be removed from under
the superintendeuce OF army officers This protso Is
adopted By the House the grave assurance Of the Hon
Mr. Ball Of Ohio that be had investigate aud unders
The subject whereas II appears that be utterly
Of all his material statements which instead Of being based
upon investigation and personal knowledge the House
supposed turned have been tissue of senseess and
malevoent flsehoods, imposed upon Mr Ball by unprnc
pied parties who have used him, and through him the
House of Representatives for their base purposes
We quote from Mr. Balls speech the following specific
charge
Before take leave of the Treasury Building and pass
the consideration Of the Capitol and Post Office
sons permit to make single remark in reference to
the marine hospital in process Of construction al
Cleveland Ohio That is one OF the eghy-fOur public
buildings the control of which is committed this
officer Captain Bowman) When at home some FIVE OF
weeks ago met with intelligent gentleman OF my
own city, democrat in politics, and Nebraska a
himself been extensive mastebulder He had been
aiming this marine hospital building in company with
friend Of his resident of Cleveland, who also master
mechanic He informed me that his friend declared that HI
could be Glad make trh the government oun,
ample security for ts flment ph'rsby he roud obl9dt
himself construct Just such building n, adjoining LOT
equal sz workmanship material and all other re,pects
10 the present one for Me rhieh The goUernment has
fuaAy paid for plans surtHendencs and engineering upo,
ths From observation here and abroad, and from
full scrutiny Of this report OF the Secretary of the Treasury
II nVic n m mi nd her
has BEEN and IS loose lavish II not reckless expen
dure of money in the construction of all these pub
buildings and hence have felt il TO be duty ncumben
upon ask the House 10 Join in this investigation
adopt tho resolutions before 1T calling for nforma
ton detail the character and Of the labor
material used in the construction Of the Capitol and Pos
Office enlargement
prefer no charge Of corruption against Capt Meigs
the officer in superin do accuse him of
gcct Of duty the contrary gives pleasure TO
that brief intercourse with this gentleman has avora
bly, impressed with his strict attention TO duty and
energy Of character My objection Is not to hin
personally but to what regard the extravagantly
pensve scale Of his plans and workmanship II the gov
ernmen desired C build fortress be made impreg
nabe Cronstadt is represented to be, doubt If
in the nation could he found better qualified to TAX,
charge Of such work than Capt Meigs but gentlemen
schooled in the military service learn great deal mor
about constructing public works with strength than Will
economy and 10 have idea Of the value of money
Such must be the conclusion Of all who examine into The
cost of the various structures placed uudor their droc
ton"
Now fact will very conclusvey show how reckless
was Mr. Balls assertion, based upon hearsay. And
yet upon such suppositions honestly entertained, nc
doubt but adopted without reflection consideration
and utterly unworthy Of belief the House having faith in
Mr. Ball. has acted defnitively BY the report and af
davit appended below appears that the total cost Of
perntendence engineering, etc, etc. running through the
years 49, 49, 40 so 81 So So 81 55, sc, amounted to
only $9S2G-little enough in all conscience For thin
sum- Mr. Ball led the House to believe the assurance
man who lie applicant for tho superintendent o.
the new house the place. that he would be
too happy the entire work which had cost the
government $s4275l The Hon. Mr.. Ball knows, should
know, that the building alluded to stands ten-acre
lot the uhoe Of ohich surrounded by stone wall Of
masonry sir feet high, with stone copingl Now, let
him ask himself and inform the House he has grossly
yet uun tenonally msled whether that wall to say moth
ing Of the building ITSELF could have been built for twice
the sum of $os26the entire cost of experimenting
cheering, &C. &c
Never public led into such ridiculous errors
10 hns been Mr. Bali in relation II his complaints against