The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-03
The NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The Secret Of The Governments Delay in
Erecting Them.
DEFICIENCY OF FUNDS THE DIFFICULTY.
Che Row OF Contention Between che West
Point Graduates and Ofticers.
Washington Notes.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. June - Especial THE
secret of the Governments delay in making
the necessary arrangements for construction
Of the public buildings authorized by the last
Congress and for which appropriations were
made is now divulged. Il has been source
of general surprise. and in the communities for
which tho buildings We're authorized the
feeling amounts TO positive disgust
In the first place the supervising architect
delayed preliminary proceedings for weeks
and months and threw every possible OBJ
siacle in the way of an early selection of the
various sites Finally after proposals we're
reserved for the sale of sites the opening OF
bids was delayed and after they were opened
II was announced that no decisions could be
reached until every bid was carefully eX-
amined by special agents or commissioners.
The next step Of delay was 10 defer the
assignment OF these commissioners under
various preteXts. Finally after months of de
Law commissioners have been designated 20
examine about one-third of the proposed sites,
and these commissioners are being held back
instead OF being urged forward 10 duty.
DrFIcTENcY or FUNDS THE TROUBLE.
The secret of this delay is that the Treasury
is so short of funds that tho administration
authorities are scheming to postpone expendi-
lures for new public buildings as long as pos
sble Some of the sites such for instance as
Buffalo. n. \. would require large outlay.
AT Buffalo it Will require at least 5000 900 10
start with. Should the department proceed
with the dispatch hitherto observed IN locat-
ing and preparing for the construction of
authorized public buildings 1t would require
an OUTLAY of millions of dollars Just at a time
when the administration Is resOrting 10 every
subterfuge TO conceal the shortage in the
treasury created by Reeds bilhon-dollar con-
gress.
In the case Of Roanoke not even yet has
any special agent been sent % examine the
sites proposed. though weeks ago The lIMEs'
correspondent was informed that the depart
ment has designated an agent tor That pur-
pose To-day the supervising architect said
it would probably be some time before any
agent could be sent to Roanoke as the OIL
clais competent for this class OF work were
all engaged.
With regard to Norfolk. Supervising -Archi-
tect Edbr0Oke himself made recent trip TO
that city and very quietly looked INTO the
question of site. tie says that he has not yet
reached any conclusion as 10 the wishes OF
the citizens of the most eligible site, and
that, therefore, he IS not yet prepared 10
make any disclosures.
WAR AMONG THE MILITARY.
The old army row Of contention between
the West Point graduates and officers who
arose to position on merit has again broken
that has existed with much bitterness. par
ticularly since the war just now the quss-
ton is Lard before the President IN the form OF
o written complaint made by Captain Harry
Wright of Troop h, Ninth cavalry
Wright won his spurs during the
civil war He was assigned to the
Ninti cavalry and won promotion and
distinction in the subsequent Indian wars.
In the recent Indian outbreak, and especially
at Wounded Knee. he displayed gallantry
"
AS a reward for the gailantry displayed IN the
recent Indian outbreak and to allow rest
from the severe hardshlps endured, the Ninth
cavalry was ordered 10 Fort Mayer, lrglnla.
This Is regarded rs the most desirable post IN
the army, as 1t is adjacent TO the national
capital and Affords the troops there stationed
u holiday. On the very day tie order
TO repair 10 Fort Mayer was received
Captain Wright was detached and assigned
10 duty as recruiting officer m New ork city.
He complained to General Schofeld that In
justice had been done him. that he had been
Disseminated against because he was not
West Point graduate. As this complaint was
ignored Captain Wright next appealed to Sec
retary Proctor, and not receiving any atten-
ton he has finally submitted written COM
plant and charge to the President
ALIEGRs rRsJUDIcE THE CAUSE.
In his charge Captain Wright alleges that
after having faithfully discharged his duties
on the frontier for years, and when has com
mand was ordered to a post for rest. he
Wright was by reason OF prejudice against
HIM because he was not West Point
graduate sent to another field of duty.
lie charges his commanding officer, Col
Onel Guy Henry, with responsibility.
In his complaint Captain Wright IS
somewhat satiucal. He states that he has !
known enough TO discharge his duties FAITH |
fully under trying conditions, but says tnat |
unfortunately lac was not at West Point /
where he could learn t. lead the german, and !
bow gracefully 10 "a lady,
Colonel Henry denies that he has discriml- |
mated against Captain Wright. but admits tuat |
le lad him detached because no IS indlscreet |
I'm hls personal demeanOr" This rs virtual |
ly plea OF guilty, and the fact IS that army !
circles IN Washington which largely dominate |
society object to the presence of any officers |
VINO are not graduates of West Point. AS the !
President was a volunteer soldier wright ana |
his friends expect 10 have his sympathy
THE POUR AND HALF IlR CENT. BONDS.
Secretary Foster this afternoon put ont cir
cular giving notice that be would redeem the |
outstanding 10 per cent bonds, principal and /
interest. on the second day OF september
next
The Secretary in his circular adds: 'Sug
gestiOns have been made on the part OF the
holders of some Of these bonds 10 extend the
payment thereof at the option Of the United
States at the rate Of ~ per cent. per annum,
and the Secretary of the treasury
will hereafter consider whether the
acceptance Of such offers or any
Of them will be profitable to the Gov
eminent, and in that event reserves the right
10 except such bonds from this call. The
proposition 10 extend some Of the AIS was
added 10 the notice of redemption more as
a matter of prudence than Of necessity,
the Secretary feeling confident that he IS
abundantly able to redeem all OF the s5l ,OOO.S
900 as outstanding In view however OF
the uncertainty of Government receipts hold
thinks it better 10 be on the
safe side and leave the way open 10
eatend some Of these bonds Nobody will ySillbe be
surprised If before September 81 the Secre,,
tay Is asked by the national banks to extend
the a.. OK. coo of these bonds they low own
and use 20 secure circulation. There are
probably ten million mere Of these AS held
As trust fund securities: tho owners OF which
would prefer extension 10 redemption SO the
probabilities are that the Secretary will not
BE- called on 70 redeem at the outside figure
not moro than twenty millions in September"
CAPITAL NOTES.
S. j. Jones has been appointed postmaster
AT Iosorofb Tanraetor Va. wee IL. a.