Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-15

and in the face of his declaration that So
300, 900 would be necessary to place this work
in a state Of completion, they had already
made an appropriation Of $685. towards
its construction. If gentlemen voted under
standingly at the last session for the appro-
priations already made, he confessed he saw
no reason why they should now draw the
purse strings Of the Treasury. They were
aware of the large amount that had been ex-
pended in the construction Of the public build
fngs here, and Of the danger to which they
and the archives they contained were exposed
from fire for want of a sufficient supply of
water.
Messrs McMullen and Covode here argued
briefly against the Senate's amendment, the
former advocating the propriety Of putting the
work out by contract.
Mr.. Florence had always been opposed to
the contract system, and Thought that the ex-
perience of the Government would justify the
House in refusing any connection with it. He
would not for q moment suppose that gentle
men were Influenced by outside pressure, but
it was said, and with some truth, too, that
much of the prejudice that had been excited
against the construction of these water works
had been caused by the efforts of those who
struction. He was first, last, and always for
the introduction of water into the District of
Columbia.
Mr.. Stewart said that this work was neces-
sary, and the Government should not hesitate
q moment in making the requisite appropria-
tions to supply the city with water
Mr.. Sapp was opposed to the appropriation,
and considered the estimated cost of the aque-
duct enormous.
Mr.. Barksdale said the fifty millions of dol
lars worth of property owned by the Govern.
LA~ 81 xl.xc = Il l.
be made for its safety. No gentleman would
undertake to deny that if either Of the public
buildings here should take FIRE there would
not be water enough to extinguish the flames.
1t struck him that the plan that had been
adopted was the proper one, because from the
Potomac alone could q bountiful supply of
water be had.
Mr.. Cox held that as to the commitment of
the Government to the work, he apprehended
that his friend from Mississippi would not re.
gard the large sum which had been expended
in surveying routes for the Pacific railroad
preparatory to its construction as committing
the Government to such an enterprise. As had
been we'll said, the commitment of the Gov
eminent had been to itself
Mr.. Davis of Maryland, was opposed to pay
ing for all the local improvements of Wash
ington out Of the public treasury. On that
account he should vote against the amend.
ment of the Senate. He should be in favor of
Government paying a fair proportion of the
city, but was not for doing so at this time and
under these circumstances, but in a separate
bill, in which provision could be made for
fair pro rata payment by the citizens of the
District.
Mr.. Peck said that the Government had in.
vested millions upon millions in the city, not
merely in structures necessary for the conve-
nience of the Government, but in works of an
ornamental character. In the archives of the
Departments of this capital were reposing the
sole evidence of titles to property Of citizens
Of many Of the States Of this Confederacy,
and how could that evidence be insured The
Government annually spent hundreds of thou
sands Of dollars for ornamenting the national
capital. and in his opinion wisely, and be
would cheerfully vote appropriations for that
purpose for he was for building up a me.
tropolis commensurate with the power and
prosperity of the people, one Of whose repre-
sentatives he was.
Mr.. Pringle contended that this project for
bringing water into Georgetown and w ash
ington had never received that elaboration
from Congress to which its magnitude emit
tied it,
Mr.. Keitt of South Carolina, remarked tn at
there is point in the legislation of every body
upon any question of mere expediency where
it must be supposed that the policy of that
body is settled. The Government should not
construct this aqueduct for the city of w ash
ington, but it ought to build it for its own
purposes.
Mr. Giddings earnestly urged the adoption
Of the Senate's amendment
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, replied to the ar
guments that had been advanced in favor of
the appropriation.
After q few remarks from Mr.. Pringle
against, and Mr.. Keitt for the Senate's amend
ment, and without coming to vote on the
amendment of the Senate as amended on
motion of Mr.. Trippe requiring the cities of
Washington and Georgetown to bear half the
cost of the work, the Committee rose and the
House adjourned.