Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-08-14


immense business interests, which
the recent accident to that canal has
shown to require additional facil-
tiles. 1t cannot be stated at this
writing whether the bill will pass
the Senate this week, or not; it all
depends upon the disposition of the
Senators to debate the items in the
bill. / have just been informed that
Senator Frye, who is in charge OF
the bill, will endeavor to have ii
voted upon tomorrow, but the
chances are that it will not be voted
upon until next week. There is not
the slightest doubt of the passage
of the bill, and upon good authority
it may be stated that the President
will sign it., all rumors to the con
trary Notwithstanding.
Economy is a good thing in the
abstract, but like all other good
things it can be carried to excess.
For instance, to refuse to make an
appropriation for a new Government
printing office at the present session
of Congress, in view of the con-
dition of the building now used,
would be almost criminal, and
should an accident involving loss of
life occur, and nothing but good
luck will prevent it, the feelings of
the gentlemen who are opposing
this very necessary appropriation
would be anything but pleasant or
corning the condition of this old
building where more than 1000 of
citizens OF the United States are
compelled to labor daily, breathing
an atmosphere that is breaking down
their health, to say nothing of the
danger from fire or the falling of
the dilapidatcd walls and floors. In
one portion of the building, origin
ally intended as warehouse, and
measuring l3 by 70 feet, 80 women
connected with the biRdery are
packed like sardines, and during the
warm weather the thermometer
stands at about 95 degrees all day.
Think otJthat air to be compelled to
work in! 1t is a well known fact
That when the floors of the folding
room are heavily loaded, and they
often are, that they settle at least
three inches. First class architects
aud builders who haye carefully
examined the building have stated
that the bonds in the walls are
broken, and that the walls are dis
lntegrated and dangerous. The
present Public Printer, knowing the
alarm felt by those working in the
building, has had the floors in the
main wing stronghold by posts s
inches square, but in case of a fire
these would only add to the danger.
There are cracks in the walls big
enough TO take in a mans hand and
when the presses are running the
vibrations of the building remind
one of the deck of steamboat in
motion, and yet there are men in
Congress who say there is no need
to hurry in erecting a new building.
1t will be everlastingly too late after
a catastrophe which will shock the
civilized world. Think of counting
dollars and cents where precious
human lives are at stake.
Another democratic "fake" has
been effectually disposed of. They
have been trying to make it appear
that Speaker Reed was opposed to
the legislation which the committee
on Labor has prepared at the request
of the working men, and that he
would prevent the committee on
Rules from giving that committee a
day in the House for the purpose of
passing some of those bills, par.
ticularly the one amending the eight
hour law. Now as matter of fact,
Speaker Reed and Representatives
Cannon and Mckinley the three
republican members of the com
mittee on Rules, have given the
representations of the working men
positive assurances that the COM
mittee intended to see chat one or
mora DAVIS wpra aSsIupn1 tn RI A