Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-04

The District Appropriation Bill Goes Through
Without Any Change

Without Any Change
xxcKrr TIE FIXING OF SALARIES FOR TIE RRofs
TfR OF WILLS AND REcoRDER OF DEEDS, IN
STEAD OF ALLOWING THEM FEEs-MR REID
pHFISEs TIE STATUS OF THE DISTRICT.
The House late yesterday afternoon passed
the District appropriation bill 1t was agreed
upon by the House virtually as reported from
committee, with the exception OF the change
made In the Offices Of recorder Of deeds and
register Of wills
The committee successfully fought all efforts
TO increase appropriations. After The Stars
repor. closed yesterday an interesting debate
proceeded upon the bill
Probably the most important feature Of the
subsequent proceedings was the attempt made
by Mr.. De Almond OF Missouri to pass a mo-
ZION to recommit the bill TO the committee,
with instructions TO report it with an amend
ment providing that the United States treas
ury should pay only one-fourth OF the sum car
ried by the bill, while the remaining three
fourths should Be paid from the District rev.
enues.
OF course the motion was defeated, but Mr..
De Almond developed IS votes for it. among
them being Mr.. Holman, Mr.. Blouns and Mr.
Bland
THE STATUS OF THE DISTRICT.
While discussion was pending upon APPOINT OF
order made against Mr.. De Almonds amend
ment Mr.. Reed Of Maine took occasion to deliver
some remarks upon the position Of the District
to the general government He said; Inc
District Of Columbia is unquesfionably 3 fed
eral possession IL is under the control OF the
federalCongress. Its expenditures are mesout OF
the federal treasury, no matter where the funds
originate. The federation could expend that
money in any way it saw fit. Just as 1t can ex-
pend the money which comes from customs
revenues Consequently there can be no diff
ference whatever in the nature OF these funds
in the treasury. They are federal funds and
they come out Of the federal treasury, no mat
ter how they are raised, whether by customs
duties or by local taxation upon the District Of
Columbia Hence this proposition does not in
any way retrench expenditures 1t only changes
the origin or source of the money which is to
be expended, but all the money, from whatever
source derived comes ont of the federal treasury.
1t IL all money in the federal treasury, brought
there by federal law for federal purposes. The
Congress Of the United States makes this ap-
preparation acting as the legislative body Of the
confederation, the Union. which owns the Dis
trict Of Columbia, and this District is the only
property, except q few pieces in the several
Btates, which the United States does own. The
Union took possession Of the Distract of Column
bia for the purpose Of having property of its
own, where 1t could have its seat of govern
ment free from the control or jurisdiction OF
the states or Of any one else. We govern this
this city and this District without any refer
cnce directly TO the wishes or will of the inhab-
ttants- We do that only because it is federal
property. and what we take out Of the citizens
OF the District by taxation we take by federal
authority and we put it into the federal treas
ury. Consequently whatever money is ex-
pended here under this bill is expended ont of
the fedora treasury and is neither lessened nor
increased by this proposition, but the source
from which this money comes il somewhat
changed"
The Speaker ruled against the point of order
and the vote was taken.
THAT HOLE IN THE aRoUSD.
Mr.. Buchanan Of New Jersey moved to strike
out that section Of the bill which provides for
the repayment to the United States from the
surplus Of the District revenues the amount
advanced for construction Of the Washington
aqueduct
Mr.. Buchanan said: Mr. Chairman, I move
TO strike out the section for this reason: In
1889 Congress passed an act providing for
the extension of the water supply of the
District OF Columbia. In pursuance Of that
act an army officer detailed as chief
engineer Of the work OF construction. I'm
der his guidance and direction contracts
were let, and an aqueduct-no, i can not call
IL an aqueduct-a hole In the ground was
bored for some two or three miles under
the hills in the northwestern part of the city.
This excavation was alleged to be lined by GER
u
through the inattention and criminal neglect
Of the government officials in charge
the work was done in such q faulty way
that il has never been Of one cent
Of value either to the District or
to the general government This officer
to whom / have referred was appointed
for this duty by the United States government
without the residents of the District having any
voice In the matter. The supervision-ifI may
30 term it-of the work was carried on by him
md hta h0r1s afaap
whatever for any residents Of the District to
exercise any influence in the matter. The tests
Of that work shows that il was utterly useless.
A court-martial for the trial of this officer fol-
lowed, and he was condemned. He suffered
. penalty which seemed to me ridiculously
light in proportion to his offense. But that
work remains there today utterly useless.
Mr.. Sayers-Has not that officer been pro-
mosed to colonelcy by the present admin
istrationi
Mr.. buchanan Of New Jersey-I do not know
whether he has or not
Mr.. Sayers-I think he has.
Mr.. Buchanan of New Jersey-well, II he has
been, he ought not to have been 1t does not
was done. 1t was improperly done Maj. Ly-
decker Is the gentleman to whom refer.
Mr.. Sayers-I refer to him also.
TIE AMENDMENT REJECTED.
Mr.. Buchanan Of New Jersey-To pay for this
work the revenues Of the District were not
sufficient, and the government has advanced
money for that purpose. Now, the pending
section OF this bill provides that the surplus
of taxation which may this year be taken from
the Inhabitants Of this District over and above
the amount appropriated in the bill ap re-
1erring, Of course, to the one-half all the way
through-shall be devoted to repaying TO the
United States that money which the United
States expended and which has been Of no use
whatever to the residents Of this District owing
entirely to the fsult-more than laches the
positive fault-of the officials Of the govern
faeut II the people of the District had had
any say in this matter, if thew had had
any agent TO supervise this work. II they had
been in any way responsible for this laches
this vrongdoing, should not oppose compel
ling them to pay their proportion Of the ex-
pense Of that work. But the work was exc
euted under the authority of the United States
and without any opportunity whatever being
given to the people of the District to protect
themselves against imposition and fraud
therefore move TO strike out this section
The question being taken the amendment of
Mr.. Buchanan Of New Jersey was rejected.
THE ROCK CREEK PARK.
Mr.. Dickerson (Ky.) offered an amendment
Sspesling the act establishing the Rock Creek
Park and returning to the United States treas
ury all unexpended monies.
Upon the suggestion Of Mr.. Holman that the
amendment should be proposed to the sundry
civil bill when it comes up, Mr.. Dickerson with
drew 10.
Mr.. Henderson demanded yea and mar vote