Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-08

custom-houses and other buildings Tor
lack of appropriations.
This amendment provoked q great
deal OF discussion, in which Mr.. Faulk-
ner stirred up Mr.. Plumb by replying
to some statements made by Messrs.
Plumb and Dawes on February 10th in
regard 10 the extravaganza on public
buildings.
Mr. Plumb said his remarks on that
occasion had been principally directed
to the new library building in Washing
ton. Heread from the list of expendi-
lures in connection with that building
the first item being s2,772 for watch
men-a larger sum than that spent for
watchmen for the pension building,
which had been five years in the course
of construction, and that for the build
ing Of which the basement plans were
not yet drawn.
"iThat is not true" said Mr.. Voor-
hees, rising.
at is true" Mr.. Plumb rejoined.
81 state it is not true. repeated Mr..
Voorhees, the plans for the basement
have been ready for six months"
Il am informed" said Mr.. Plumb,
"that there is an advertisement in one
of the city papers stating that specifica-
tons for the basement of that building
are not complete and will not be till to-
morrow"
"There is no such statement or adver-
tisement IN any city paper" MIR. Voor-
hees asserted.
81 am informed" said Mr.. Plumb,
that when few days ago the Secretary
Of the Interior came to consider the
question of advertising for bids for the
basement of that building he was in
formed that the plans and specifications
for the basement we're not yet drawn"
In continuing to read the list of ex-
penditures for the library building MIR.
Plumb mentioned ga messenger at 5000
a month.
"Six hundred dollars n month for a
messenger 2" queried Voorhees,.
81 said $50, " replied Mr.. Plumb.
ono; you said $780," Mr.. Voorhees,
insisted.
"Well, I wonder it was not 5000
month, said MIR. Plumb.
"And wonder that you did not call 1t
Sc, 0O0," was Mr.. Voorhees, rejoinder.
Mr.. Plumb continued to read the list
OF expenditures and criticise them, and
after some time notified Mr.. Voorhees,
that he had now in his hands paper
containing the advertisement which he
had referred to, and that the advertise
ment said that the basement specifica-
tons could be seen tomorrow.
Mr.. Voorhees, suggested that the adver-
tisement did not say that the specitica-
tons were not prepared.
Mr.. Plumb: "No but still that is
significant"
Mr.. Voorhees, Everything is sig
nifcant to the Senator from Kansas"
Mr. Voorhees, referred to the high
character of the men composing the
Library commissioner Democrat and
two Republicans-na namely, the Secretary
OF the Interior ; Mr.. Spoford, the III
brarian, and Mr.. Clarke, the Capitol
Architect. These three men might safe
ly, he thought, be intrusted with the
expenditure of public money.
At the close of the discussion a vote
was taken on Mr.. Paynes amendment
and it was not agreed to-yeas, "a ; nays,
"a.
The bill having been reported from
the Committee OF the Whole Mr. Payne
renewed bis amendment in the Senate
and it was again rejected-yeas, 25;
nays, 80.
The pension bill went over till to-mor-
row with the understanding that after
the morning business it would be taken
up and discussed under the fve-minute
rule and a final vote taken before adj
journment.
Executive session.
Adjourned.