The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-08
THE FIFTIETH CONGRESS.

Mr. Plumb Presents Some Curious Figures
Concerning the Library Building.
WASHINGTON, March MIR. Beck gave
notice that he would reply to Mr.. Shermans
speech of yesterday next Tuesday. on the bill to
substitute coin certificates for gold and silver
certificates; and he also notified the Senator
from Ohio that he would read extracts from
speeches of Senators Allison, ingalls, and others.
denouncng the sllver-dolar demonstration in
terms compared with which his own words were
mild.
On motion of Mr.. Berry, the House joint
resolution. TO enable the Secretary of the In
terror to utilize the hot water now running to
waste on the Hot Springs reservation, Arkan-
sas, was passed.
The Senate then resumed consideration Of the
urgency deficiency bill, the question being on.
striking out the proviso inserted by the House,
requiring the public printer to enforce rigidly
the eight-hour law. The item was struck out
yeas 80, nays 20.
Mr.. Payne offered an amendment spproDr1at-
ing $50, 900 for the pay OF assistant custodians
and janitors OF public buildings all over the
country for the current fiscal year. and made
statement in explanation and advocacy of it,
showing the reductions in pay and service at the
: New York and Cincinnati custom houses and
other buildings for the lack of appropriations
This led to a general discussion upon the sub
ject of public buildings, and Mr.. Plumb referred
especially to the library building In Washington.
He proceeded to read from a list of expenditures
in connection with that building. the first item
being 81, 272 for watchmen-a larger sum than
was spent for watchmen for the pension build
ing, which had been five years in course of con-
struction, and that for a building of which the
basement plans were not vet drawn.
That is not true" said Mr.. Voorhees,, rising
''Itds true" Mr.. Plumb reioined.
81 state it is not true," repeated Mr.. Voorhees,.
''the plans for the basement have been ready
for months"
II am informed. :" said Mr. Plumb .'that there
is an advertisement in of the city papers
stating the specifications for the basement of
that building are not complete, and will not be
till tomorrow"
''There is no such statement or advertisement
in any city paper" Mr.. Voorhees, asserted.
81 am informed. said Mr.. Plumb, ''that when.
few days ago. the Secretary OF the Interior
bids for the basement of that building. he was
informed that the plans and spec1fcatio6s Tor
the basemen OF were not yet drawn" In continu-
inc to read the list of expenditures for the
library building Mr.. Plumb mentioned. "a mess
enger at 5000 mouth"
six hundred dollars month for messen-
ger?" quered Mr.. Voorhees,.
81 said $780," replied Mr.. Plumb
mo, you said $780," Mr.. Voorhees, insisted.
We'll. wonder iS was not 5000 month"
said MIR. Plumb
'.And wonder you did rot call it s6e0O," was
Mr.. Voorhees, rejoinder.
Continuing to read the list of expenditures
Mr. Plumb mentioned "a disbursing agent at
s., 800" and a man to help him with a commits
sion of three eighths of 1 per cent. the
amounts paid.
Mr.. Hals-What was the discussing agent to
disburse2
Mr. Plumb--If the Senator had looked over
these figures he would have found that the dis.
bursting agent has had the most work of all
He has disbursed sos, 900 during the past year,
and that is all the work that has been done
disbursing agent should have at
least $4,000. Continuing to read from
the list of expenditures. Mr.. Plumb
mentioned the items of So 900 a year for the
architect, 81. 900 for fellow help him. 1928
month for expert in iron construction
while" said he. ''all the iron work there
of the earth" The library building, up to date
consisted, he said, of "a hole in the ground
He would not work the deposit now, but
would reserve soma of 1t for future occasions.
He notified Mr. Voorhees, that he had now in his
hands the paper containing the advertisement
which he had referred TO, and that the advertise
ment said that the basement Specifications could
be seen tomorrow.
Mr.. Voorhees, suggested that the advertise
ment did not say that the specifications were not
prepared.
Mr.. Plumh-No; but stt!l that is significant
MIR. Mountaineering Is significant to the
Senator from Kansas
Mr.. Voorhees, referred to the high character of
the men composing the library commission
namely. the Secretary of the Interior, Mr.
Spoford, the librarian. and Mr. Clark. the Capt.
toll architect. These three men might safely
he thought. be iptrusted with the expenditure
of public money. They were men of high char
acter, and had under the law. absolute control
Of the whole subject. If there had been any
it would be most amazing thing
to him, for these the most trusted men
that he knew.
At the close of the discussion the vote was |
taken on Mr.. Paynes amendment and it was |
not agreed to-yeas "A, nays "a.
The bill having been reported from the com I
nittee of the whole, Mr.. Payne renewed his
amendment in the Senate. and it was again re- /
Iected-yeas 20, nays 30
On motion OF Mr.. Paddock, the pension bill |
went over till to-morro W, with the understand /
ne that after the morning business it would |
De taken up and discussed under the Eve min |
lte rule aud the final vote taken before adj
ournmenG
The Senate then proceeded to executive bust
less and soon adjourned.