Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-16
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

In the Senate, yesterdy, after We went to
press, Mr.. Yulee's motion to reconsider the
resolution changing the site of the national
armory in this city, being under discussion,
Mr.. Y. advocating that motion, said it would
cost twelve thousand dollars more to put an
armory on Judiciary square than on the mall.
The change proposed by the resolution would
also involve the construction Of another hos
pital elsewhere for it twas proposed to place the
armory on the same square with the present
hospital, and the noise Of the drums the firing
of guns, and the collection of large concourse
Of people on the parade ground, must be not
only extremely inconvenient and unpleasant,
but absolutely injurious to the health of the
would then be called upon, from motives of
humanity, to make an appropriation for the
construction Of another hospital. .-
Mr.. Brown urged the Importance of pre-
serving the reservation for the use of the pub
lie, instead Of making it parade ground for
holiday soldiers. These reservations were
very desirable in all large cities; they were
the very lungs through which the population
breathe. He alluded to the Common in Bos
ton as the pride and glory of that ancient city,
and cited the expenditure of five or six mil
lions Of dollars by the city Of New York for a
public park. Here we had large unoccupied
reservation, and we should not suffer it to be
spoiled by erecting buildings upon it, He
had been authorized by DR. May, the hospital
physician, to say that it would be no disad-
vantage to the hospital to place the armory
there he had alse been authorized by prac-
Using lawyers to say that it would be no dis.
advantage to the courts.
Mr.. Douglas was opposed to allowing the
erection of any buildings on any of the pub
lie reservations. He thought tho Jail, the
hospital, &C., ought never to have been placed
where they are.
The discussion was continued by Messrs.
Toucey. YuIee, Brodhesd, Hale, Adams, But
Ter, Reid, Stuart, Weller, Brown, and others.
The passage Of the joint resolution was re-
considered, and the District Committee were
directed to bring in another repeating the
original Armory bill.
And then, after an Executive session, they
adjourned.
In the House, the Deficiency Bill was again
taken up in Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. H. Marshall, of Kentucky, moved to
amend the Senate's water works amendment
by adding thereto clause requiring the citi-
Zens of Washington to pay fair price tor the
privilege of (tappingj using the works, the
proceeds Of the charge to be devoted to keep.
ing the works in repair, &C., which said
amendment to the amendment was not agreed
to.
The Sonate's amendment appropriating
$4,000 to rebuild the ~Franklin (Governmentj
engine-house in this city was debated by Mr..
Florence for it, and Messrs. Stanton and
Cobb, of Ca, against it; not agreed to.
After disposing of other amendments, the
committee rose, and the House adjourned.
Proceedings of To-Day.
In the Senate, to-day, after the presenta-
ton Of petitions and reports, none of which
were of public Importance, the House bounty
land bill was again taken up, and Mr. liver
to