The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-06-24

Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Juno 10, lseo.
TIE Cdmadian Reciprocity 7reay-Cbvode Cbmmizes-2ss.
6oaso~ of the COntrad 'oi TIE CAir;T~ Compewy-0et-
toll Extension C0ntrac-Letr Of Secretary Foyd-SpsxA.
en- Delegates to TIE Baltiwors COnueRtion, Dc.
Mr. Hatchs report the Canadian reciprocity treaty.
the House Of Representatives by the latter Officer
count Of It's severity against the treaty until requested
by the President TO furnish it, To-day the Secretary
Piled Mr. Eys recent speech in the House against ths
treaty document quite in its structures -
the report Of Mr. HATCH
Mr.. Robinson, of the Covode Investigating Committee,
has agreed with the majority Of the committee In their
conclusion the ecompton question: and has also gvea
his assent 10 some other points in the report Of the COM
mttee but disagrees other matters and has refused y
sign the report.
The Senate consumed most Of the day in debating 70.
resolution to appropriate three hundred thousand dollars
to construct three war steamers 10 send TO the
coast Of Africa to prevent the slave trsds.
1t was defeated. The Senate during this evening
agreed by handsome majority to raty the contract Of
the Secretary Of the Navy with the Chrqui improvement
Company for coal and right Of way across that country
The House TO night under the influence OF a powerful
lobby authorized the superintendent Capitol extern
TO purchase Of Rice Baird Hoebner thirty tour
monoithic columns, at expense Of fortysagen
thousand dollars, thus placing in the hands OF "A
Franklin, subordinate and appontee Of the Secretary a
made by Secretary Floyd The Senate will
look after this job, and upset Of the plans OF The
ect severe commentary upon this action o. the Houpe
It's Of facts clear and conclusive The let
ter speaks for itself, and is as follows
WAR DEPARTMENT. April H. 1850.
SRI have received your letter OF the 4lh ins<., en-
closing a copy Of the petition Of Rice Baird Hee6ar.
for any information in this department relating 70 the SUB
jcct matter thereof.
In reply have TO say that on the nth day Of June.
1862, Rice, Baird Heebncr entered into a contract
with tho architect OF the Capitol extension
for the delivery Of all the marble necessary
included. The prices in this contract agreed 70
be paid for the marble 81 % per cubic foot Cor Al
blocks containing more than (so thirty cubic feet and
65 sixty cents per foot Tor all blocks Of thirty feet
and under.
On the LIST OF March, 1854 joint resolution was passed,
uthorizng supplemented contract purchase marble
or this work, "columns and asher in larger blocks"
that agreed upon In the original contract This SUP
March 1864 This supplemental contrac, stipulated er
larger blocks and very much larger pieces granted
great and most valuable boon to the contractors gxve
thsm 81 % per cubic foot for all blocks which exceeded
eighteen inches the bedin the depth the WALL which
stone under the original contract would have sixty
scrptcn Of stone Of 300 per II has been offered IN
explanation Of this proceeding that this enormous n
o. price or the small stone was 70 enable these
whilst certainly 10 this end the price Of 45Oo
5000 for the columns in six pieces raised 10 81 40
BY express stipulation the original agreement with n
is provisions and specifications readopted and made
par, Of the supplemental contract, and modified only
10 the size and price OF the blocks.
In the original agreement the contractors Rice, Baird
Heebner bound themselves TO deliver these columns IN
three years from tho date OF tho contract They 10
affirmed this undertaking In their supplemental ssrss-
ment Eight years have elapsed and still the contractors
Department lie informed one blow has been struck 10
wards complying with thew engagement 10 furnish the
They have not only violated their contract, but thv
deliberately announced the fact in writing the supcrs-
tendcnt in charge Of the work and declared their nab
" 70 comply with IT, On the Goth Of Nay 1852 they sad
nohic shafts accordance with the specifications Of our
supplemental contract This declaration Il must be borne
In mind N made years after the date Of the Ara
contract and four years after they had violated BIZ
steady non compliance with It's requirements.
They TO be sure, offer for their default and,
with Gravity aege that nature had not supported their
for the prosecution OF the work. and willing 10
an order directing their contract 70 be forfeited.
and them six months longer TO present specimens o.
their marble and the capacity Of other quArries y
furnish the material or this they duly notified.
or this notification, far as Informed they took no
notice, unless, indeed sending pieces Of arbse
department could construed into RECOGNITION OF N
They gave evidence " having accepted the terms a
they done so up 70 the present moment as fs NOV
They addressed note 10 tho engineer In charge
90 o., the 81 q peSe@oer, scou, these spsc..
proof OF capacity In the quarres TO furnish the blocks
their note was mere shift and responsive %
the letter spirit q the order. Under all these circum-
stances these perennial delnquents have the eontsy
70 declare in then memorial that their "right" undsr
their contract IA about 20 be violated by directing hons
columns to be purchased from honest man. who has
already proved his ability 10 furnish them.
think proper 10 state 10 your committee that thsro
has been project foot TO procure these columns from
Italy, and 10 say that 10 ths have opposed steady re-
sstsnce, Will yield II until Congress shall direct By
law, the purchase OF Italian marble.
I could not consent 10 no beyond the llmiss Of ths
United States for stonc 10 the United Sts<as
Capitol In constructing this great national mouumest"
viii not willingly become ysstc7s crissssis IN making
u n monumental folly With cooiinent choose from
American enterprise and ingenuity ought 10 be able u
hnd something capable o. gratifying simple republican
taste
In my humble judgmen, have about AZ much AZ
"cassc Italy" IN our "noblc structure needful q
present, or oonsonant 10 public taste and American
AL skill and shall Gall short OF making thu
structure equal 10 the Coliseum the Vatican we stN
shall have the consolation 70 know that the cdiAoe Win