Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-08-13
Washington Letter.
From our regular Correspondent

Washington Letter.
(From our regular Correspondent.)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 1S90:-The Pres
ident returned to Washington Wednesday
afternoon, but he expects to leave to
morrow for Boston to take part in the
annual encampment of the G. A. r.
1t has been semi officially announced
that Secretary Blame would come back
with the President, but for some reason
the program was changed and Mr.. Blaine
went to New York.
1t is understood that an agreement was
reached as to the recommendations
which the President should make in q
special message to congress concerning
reciprocity and that the message will
shortly be sent in.
The senate today, according to agree
ment, put aside the tariff bill and took up
the River and Harbor bill. This bill has
several very important amendments in
Guiding one providing for the erection of
an additional lock in the Sault Ste Marie
canal. and Speaker Reed has promised a
delegation of senators from the north
west that he will not antagonize that
amendment when the bill goes back to
the House. This was quite concession
on the part of Mr.. Reed, who had previ-
ously been opposed to this legislation,
and he only made it in Difference to the
immense business interests, which the
recent accident IN that canal has shown
to require additional facilities. 1t can
not be stated at this writing whether the
bill will pass the senate this week, or not:
1t all depends upon the disposition of
the senators to debate the items in the
bill. I haye just been informed that
Senator Frye, who is in charge of the
bill will endeavor to have it 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 au-
thority it may be stated that the Presi-
dent will sign it, all rumors to the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
Economy is good thing in the ab-
stract, 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 condition of the building now used,
would be almost criminal, and should ac-
ciden: INVOLVING loss Of life occur, and
nothing but good luck will prevent it
the feelings of the gentlemen who are
opposing this very necessary appropria-
ton would be anything but pleasant or
enviable. Here are some facts concern
ing the condition of this old building
where more than 1000 citizens of the
United States are compelled to labor
daily, breathing an atmosphere that is
breaking down their health. to say moth
ing of the danger from fire or the falling
Of the dilapidated walls and floors. In
one portion. of the building, originally
intended as Il warehouse, and measuring
thirteen by seventeen feet, eighty
women connected with the bindery are
packed like sardlnes. and during the
warm weather the thermometer stands at
about 95 degrees all day. Think of that
air to be compelled to work in. 1t is a
we'll 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 and
builders who have carefully examined
the building haye stated that the bands
in the walls are broken, and that the
walls disintegrated and dangerous.
The present public printer, knowing the
alarm felt by those working in the build
ing, has had the floors IN the main wing
strengthened by posts eight inches
square, but in case of fire these would
only add to the danger. There are
cracks in the walls big enough to take in
mans hand and when the presses are
running the vibrations of the building
remind one of the deck of a steamboat in
motion, and yet there are men in con-
gress who say there is no need of hurry
IN erecting a new building. It will be
everlasting]y too late after catastrophe
which will shock the civilized world.
Think of counting dollars and cents
where precious human lives are at stake.
Another Democratic flake" 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 pre-
pared 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 pass
ing some of those bills, particularly 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
committee on rules, have given the rep.
resentatives of the working men positive
assurances that the committee intended to
see that one or more days were assigned
to the committee On labor. Now for the