New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-28
WASHINGTON NEWS.
WORK OF THE SENATE.
THE POLICY OF ERECTING PUBLIC BUILDINGS
THE AGRICULTURAL BILL PASSED.

THE AGRICULTURAL BILL PASSED.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, May 27.-The question Of erecting
new public buildings In various parts OF the
country occupied the attention of the Senate for
some time to-day.
Mr.. Thurman called up the bill authorizing the
purchase of q site and the erection of building
for the United States Courts at Toledo, Ohio, and
appropriating $4,000 therefor.
Mr. Edmunds said that while he was not opposed
to this particular bill he hoped that the language Of
it would be so guarded to prevent any further ex
pendture for this purpose beyond the amount
named in the bill.
There was considerable discussion as to the
growing tendency to extravaganza in the matter OF
public buildings, Mr. Jones. of Florida Chairman
of the Committee on Public Buildings aud Grounds
remarked that misrepresentation existed as to the
amount appropriated for buildings He advocated
the policy of owning instead of renting buildings as
more economical.
Mr. Edmunds said he knew of no adverse reports
from the committee on any proposition for build
ing Perhaps its policy to let them lie and smother
but if they were reported adversely now all the
candidates for the Presidency in this BODY, ana
did not this include nearly all of usP he sald'
would sustain the reports whereas, If the commit
tee waited until after December. who could tell
now mduy VI IuOSo eSuOWOo "N>
denly hatch QUIT Mr., Morrill, "a mem
Der of the committed humOrOusly remarked
that the policy of the committee had been to pro-
vide for all the Presidential candidates. They had
appropriated for the Independent candidate from
Peoria. for the Democratic candidate from Toledo
and they proposed to finish the Washington Monu-
ment, which his colleague would probably take rs
compliment to himself. ]. was true he (Mr. Nor
rilD had opposed giving 100000 to begin that
chimney preferrinG triumphal arch, but the COM
mttee would not neglect its completion now
though 1867, 900 more was asked for. He defended
the committee from any implication of extraV-
agance.
Mr. Beck said that the trouble vas not that TOO
many buildings put up, but that the officials
disbursng the money appropriated did not do their
duty Good substantial buildings shou id be put IN.
and not the expensive gingerbread work 80 consplc-
uOus in soma cases. The officials who wasted money
should be punished and buildings should be put up
wherever necessary.
The bill was then passed.
Senator EatOn's bill to provide for commission
to revise the tariff taken up and discussed Tor
a short time, and then laid aside. The Senate then
proceeded to consider the bill making APP
preparation for the Department of Agriculture.
The Senate agreed with Commissioners L. DUG
that his salary ought to be increased from S3,OOO
to So. 900 a year and an amendment to that effect
was adopted. An amendment providing money 10
nav the expenses of certain experiments 10 ascer-
tain whether sugar can he prOitably manufactured
from cOrnstalks evoked considerable discussion.
The bill was passed in its amended form.