Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-05-15
THE BUILDING BILL.
Senator Spooner's Success in Rock
Island Interests.
The Measure which Received Favor
able Action at the Hands Of the Sen.
ate NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Hopes.

There is no man in the United States
senate today toward whom Rock Island
as city feels more kindly than Senator
John Z. Spooner. of Wisconsin. And it
Is quite natural indeed that the city
should regard the Wisconsin statesman
as 1t does. through the interest he has
taken in this city; and through the in
fluence and ability he has lis,
played in its behalf, the assurances
of government building here are
brighter than ever before. Out of the
defeat, to which Congressman Gesrs bill
| was doomed in the house, Senator
Spooner has snatched victory in the
higher branch of the national leg
islative body, for a measure pro-
viding for a better building than
the congressman from this district
could have secured even had he been sue
ces sful. The fact that the senate has
realized the Importance. of the Rock Isl
and project will give it decided prestige
in the house if Congressman Gest can
manage now to bring it up there, and as
sures its success if the congressman
from this district has any influence at all
That the senate should so recognize the
bill will also aid it materially in the eyes
of the chief executive when it comes be-
fore him for approval
The bill introduced y Senator Spooner
and passed by the senate Yesterday as
stated in the ARGUS of last night is app
pended:
That the secretary of the treasury be,
and he is hereby authorized and directed
to acquire, by purchase, condemnation OF
otherwise, site, and cause to be erected
thereon suitable building, including
fire proof vaults. heating and ventilating
apparatus. elevators and approaches, for
the use and accommodation of the Uni
ted States postoffice and other govern
ment offices. in the city of Rock Island,
and state of Illinois the cost of said site
and building, including said vaults. heat
ing and ventilating apparatus, elevators
and approaches complete. not to exceed
the sum of one hundred thousand dol
lars.
Proposals for the sale Of land suitable
for said site shall be invited by public
advertisement in one or more of the
newspapers of said city of largest circu
lation. for at least twenty days prior to
the date specified in said advertisement
for the opening of said proposals.
Proposals made in response to said al
vertiseme1t shall be addressed and mailed
To the secretary of the treasury, who shall
then cause the said proposed sites, and
such others as he may think proper 10
designate, to be examined in person nv
an agent Of the treasury department. who
shall make written report TO said secre-
tsry of the results of said examination,
and of his recommendation thereon, and
the reasons therefor which shall be &C.
companied by the original proposals and
all maps. plats and statements which
shall have come into his possession relat>
ing TO the said proposed sites.
II. upon consideration Of said report
and accompanying papers, the secretary
of the treasury shall deem further inves-
legation necessary. he may appoint a
commission OF not more than three per-
sons. one of whom shall be an officer of
the treasury department. which commits
sion shall also examine the said proposed
sites, and snch Others as the secretary of
the treasury may designate, and grant
such hearings in relation thereto as they
shall deem necessary; and said commits
sion shall. within thirty DAYS after such
examination. make to the secretary of the
treasury written report OF their conclu-
sion in the premises, accompanied by all
statements, maps, plsts, or documents
taken by or submitted to them, in like
manner as hcreinbefore provided in re,
gard to the proceedings of said agent of
the treasury department; and the secre-
tary OF the treasury shall thereupon fin
ally determine the location of The build
ing to be erected.
The compensation of said commission
ers shall be fixed by the secretary of the
treasury. bat the same shall not exceed
six dollars per day and actual travelling
expenses: Progided. hoaoeoer, That the
member of said commission appointed
from the treasury department shall be
paid only his actual travelling expenses.
No money shall be used for the purpose
mentioned until valid title to the site
for said building shall be vested in the
United States, nos until the state of ILL.,
nois shall have coded to the United States
exclusive jurisdiction over the same, dur.
ing the time the United States shall be or
remain the owner thereof. for all pur-
poses except the administration OF the
criminal laws of said state and the SER
vice of civil process therein.
The building shall be uuexposed to
| danger from fire by an open space of at
least forty feet on each side, including
| streets and alleys.
/ xS0urt Gulliags