Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-10
THE sPRISGFIELD PUBLIC BUILDING
IN CONGRESS.

THE SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC BUILDING
IN CONGRESS.
The scene in the House of Representa-
tives last Wednesday was a lively one.
The postoffice appropriation bill was run
ming the gauntlet of amendments and the
member who couldn't get in his little
amount for a local government building
was laid out for a year. Mr.. Randall
made plaintive appeal to members not
to endanger the passage of the bill. Just
at this iuncture General Keifer moved the
following amendment, which was read BY
| the clerk:
THAT the Secretary of the Treasury be,
| and be hereby is. authorized and directed to
purchase or otherwise provide a suitable site,
I and cause TO be erected thereon, at the city OF
Springfield. in the State of Ohio. substan-
tial and commodious public building, with
| ire-proof vaults. for the use and aceommoda-
tion Of the postoffice, internal revenue Office,
pension Office, and for other government uses
The site, and the building thereon, when
completed according TO plans and speci6cs-
tions to be previously made and approved by
the Secretary OF the Treasury, shall not ex-
ceed the cost Of 100000; and the site pur-
chased shall leave the building unsIposed to
danger from fire in adjacent buildings by an
opeI space of at least fifty feet, including
streets and alleys; and for the purposes here
in mentioned the sum OF 100000 is hereby
appropriated, out Of any moneys in the treas
not otherwise appropriated, to be expended
under the direction of the Secretary Of the
treasury: Prorided, That no part of said sum
shsll be expended until q valid title to the
said site shall be vested in the United States
and the State of Ohio shall cede to the United
States exclusive jurisdiction over the same,
during the time the United States shall be or
remain the owner thereof, for all purposes eI-
cept the administration OF the criminal laws
Of said State and the service of any civil pro-
cess therein
General Keifer then addressed the House
as follows:
This bill passed the Senate, as l am in
formed, without opposition.
1.-THE amount proposed to be appropriated
will be more than realized from the net reve-
nues OF the post-office at the city of Spring
field, Ohio, within the time it will require for
the erection of the building. l can not give
the exact population of this city, but some
estimate may be made from its voting pop
ulation.
"At the last November election the sggre-
gate vote cast in Springfield WAS 1905. The
population of the city may from this be
fairly estimated at about 10000.
1.-THE gross post-ofice receipts for the year
1884 were $50, 2O5.9S, and the net revenue for
same year was s37, ,204.67, although the let
ter-carIier system is maintained there.
THE number of money -orders and postal
notes issued in 1884 was 1854, and the
amount received for the same was $l04,-
477.24
"The number of money orders and postal
notes received and paid in that year was
3s,203, and the amount for the same for
same time was Sl7s,377.24. Registered let
tiers to the number of 81 ,s6s were received in
that year.
Carriers delivered 2,577,O37 pieces, col
lected from boxes l,l23, 4s2 pieces. and han
died 3,700, $50 pieces In 1884.
The number of letters and postal cards
dispatched was 2,33s,344 and Of pieces of
second, third, and fourth class matter was
6,777,75l.
"This large amount of revenue received
from and the immense business done at the
Springfield Office shows the necessity for hav-
ing good and ample accommodations for mail
matter, clerks, letter-carriers, &C. Springfield
is rapidly growing city both in population
and business. In seven years the business Of
the postoffce has increased more than 100
per cent. The population of the city is only
a part of the postoffice patrons. for there is a
thickly settled region all around it. 4
"Mr. Chairman, the rent paid or required to
be paid for suitable postofice and other |
Government offices at this place would more
than pay the interes, on the cost of the build |
ing
"The city of Springfield has had no appro-
priation for anything at any time. Nor has
any part of my district. But it has paid in |
internal revenue, in net postofice revenue,
and in other ways large sums into the United |
States Treasury.
springfield is in the Miami or Mad River
Valley, the richest portion OF the United
States, and it is rapidly becoming great in
terror city. 1t is manufacturing city. Above
80 per cent. of all the reapers and mowers
made on the continent are made there.
"There are also manufactured there grain
drills, corn plows and drills. threshcrs, hay
'akes. turbine water-wheels, sewing machines,
md numerous Other articles in common use
throughout the United States.
MANY things manufactured there are sold
n Europe and South America.
at will be economy to erect o suitable
'ublic building at Springfield. at Q cost for
lite and building not exceeding $lso, 600, and
hope no person will object to this bill"
The amendment was then adopted, and
he bill as amended passed, and was
igned by President Arthur, becoming q
aw. 1t was the last amendment of the
ort that was considered, and the General
eserves high praise for his pluck and
perseverance as shown in pushing it
trough.
Henry George has very peculiar notions I