Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-08-14
Washington Letter.
tFum our Regular Correspondent,

q. A. K.
1t bad been semi officially announced
that Secretary Blaine would come back
with the President. but for some reason
the programme was changed and Mr.
Blaine went to New York.
1t is understood that an agreement
was reached IS to the recommendations
which the President should make in a
special message to congress concerning
reciprocity and that the message viii
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
including one providing for the erection
OF an additional lock in the Sault Ste
Merle canal, and Speaker Reed has
promised delegation of Senators from
the northwest that he will not antagon-
ize that amendment when he bill goes
back to the House. This was quite a
concession on the part of Mr.. Reed who
had previously been opposed to this
legislation, and be only made it in de-
ference to the immense business inter-
ests. which the recent accident in that
canal has shown TO require additional
facilities. II 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 it voted upon tomorrow, bat the
chances are that it will not be voted up
on 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 contrary Notwithstanding.
Economy is good thing in the alb
stract, but like all other good things if
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 nov used.
would be almost criminal. and should
an accident involving loss of life occur,
and nothing but good luck will prevent
it. the feeling OF the gentlemen who are
opposing this very necessary appropriate
ion would be anything. but pleasant or
enviable. Here are some facts con-
corning the condition of this old building
were more than 2000 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 a ware house, and measur-
ing Is BY 20 feet, 50 women connected
with the bindery are packed like sar-
dimes, and during the warm weather
the thermometer stands at about %
degrees all day. Think of that air to
be compelled TO work in Ii is 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 and
builders who have carefully examined
the building have stated that the bands
in the walls are broken, and that the
walls are disintegrated and dangerous.
The present Public Printer, knowing
the alarm felt by those working in the
building, has had the floors in the main
wing strengthened by posts 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 build
ing remind one OF the deck Of & steam
boat in motion, and yet there are men
in Congress who say there is no need to
hurry in erecting new building 1t
will be eyerlastingly TOO late after
catastrophe which will shock the civil
lied world Think Of counting dollars
and cents where precious human lives
are at stake.
Another democratic fake has been
etiectually disposed Of. They have been
trying to make it appear that Speaker
Reed was opposed 70 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 day in the House for the
purpose Of passing some OF those bills.
particularly the one amending the eight
hour law Now IS matter Of fact,
Speaker Reed snd Representatives Can
rOt qr1 Mckinley shp thraa rpY,1l,1;,.,,