The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-19
OUR FEDERAL BUILDING.
COL. LESTER INTRODUCES A BILL
FOR A CHANGE.

An Increase in the Appropriation
from 100000 to S45o,ooo Pro-
posed-The Bill Contemplates En-
largement OF the Building as at Pres
ent Planned, and if Practicable a
Change of Site.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-Congressman n
Lester promptly introduced in the Hous
to-day the Savannah building bill, which
he had just finished after consultation with
the Secretary Of the Treasury and the At
torney General. Its text is as follows:
SEC. /. Be it enacted. ETC., That the act of
congress approved June 20, 1856, authorizing
the erection of public building for the use and
accommodation of the United States circuit
and district courts and the postoffice and other
government uses in the city of Savannah and
state of Georg a, be and the same is hereby
amended SO as to Increase the limit or cost
Of tie site and building, includ-
ing fre-proof vaults. heating and vent
iIating apparatus, elevators and approaches
complete, from 100000 to S450.000. in order
TO provide for the enlargement of the building
contemplated by the present plans, and, if
found practicable, the purchase of another site
on York street and 80 feet on Abercorn street
in said city; and that $3.50, 600 additional to the
sums appropriated by the acts of congress ap-
proved Aug. A, 1886, Oct 2, 1888, and March 2,
1880 aggregating $1,000 be- and the same is,
hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the
United States treasury not otherwise appro
priated.
SEC. 2 Should it be deemed practicable to Sc
lect another site for said building, it shall be
purchased, acquired oy consideration or other
wise, provided upon the following conditions:
That the sums of money appropriated by the
acts Of congress approved Aug 4, 1885; Oct. 2,
1888 and March 2, 1889, aggregating S200, 200,
shall remain available, and that the S250000
hereby appropriated shall be available upon
the following provisions
Proposals for the sale of land suitable for
said site shall be- invited by public advertise
ment in one or more Of the newspapers of said
city for at least fourteen days prior TO the date
specified in the advertisements for opening the
proposals.
lie advertisements at the time named in the ad-
vertlsements, or within fourteen days subse-
quent thereto, shall be received, opened aid
considered by commission of three persons,
who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the
Treasury, and it shall be the duty of said COM
mission to forward to the Secretary of tae
Treasury, within forty days from the date
named IN the advertisements for opening the
proposals, written report with the original
proposals, maps, etc, and the oaths prescribed
by the act of congress approved June %, 1874,
and to definitely state in said report the site
selected by them; and their selection of the site
shall be final, and each commissioner shall be
allowed compensation for his services of an
amount within the discretion of the Secretary of
the Treasury, said compensation not to exceed
commissioner. So much OF the appropriation
herein made as may be necessary to defray the
expenses of advertising for proposals, the com
pensation and actual travelling expenses of the
commissioners and other expenses incident to
the selection of the site shall be Immediately
available.
So much of the appropriation made as may
be necessary fer the preparation of drawings,
detailed estimates, ETC., by the supervising ar
chitect of the treasury department for the en-
largement of the building at present designed,
shall be available Immediately upon the receipt
of the report of the commissioners selecting
the site.
So much of the appropriation herein made
as may be necessary to make payment for the
site shall be available upon the receipt of the
written opinion of the Attorney General In favor
Of the validity of the title to the site selected
and when the state of Georgia shall have
decided to the United States jurisdiction over
the site selected during the time that
the United States shall be or remain the
owner thereof for all purposes except the ad-
ministration of criminal laws of said state, and
the service of civil process therein; or so mucl
Of said appropriation as may be necessary to
acquire title to the site by condemnation shall
be immediately available, and after the site
shall have been paid for> and the drawings de-
tailed, estimates for the enlargement of the
building at present designed shall have
been prepared by the supervising architect,
and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury,
the balance of the appropriation herein made
shall be available for the erection and compile
tion Of the building, including fire proof vaults
heating and ventilating apparatus elevators,
and approaches. The building shall be unex-
posed to danger from fire by an open space of
at least thirty-six feet on each side including
streets and alleys.
SEC. 3. And should another site be selected
under the provisions herein contained. that the
Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby
authorized and directed to sell, either ct private
or public sale, the land owned by the United
States known as a site for the United States
court house and postoffice situated about 1t2
teet on York aud 80 feet on Abercorn streets in
the city and state aforesaid, and to make quit
claim deed TO the purchaser thereof.
SEC. 4. Should it not be deemed advisable to
select another site for said building, the appro-
priation herein made shall be Immediately
available for the purpose of enlarging the build
ing at present designed and erecting the same,
including fireproof vaults, heating and venti-
lating apparatus elevators and approaches
complete on the site situate on the corner of
York and Abercorn streets.