The Washington times., 1894-07-17
DISTRICT EXPENSES VOTED
Appropriation Bill Adopted with I'm
important Changes.
ATTACK ON A LOCAL CHARITY.
Against the Management Of the Board Of
Children's Guardians-senator Mcmillan
Defended the Organization.

Defended the Organization.
The District appropriation bill was passed
by the Senate yesterday IN about two and I
half hours. Amendments were few and far
between and apparently the Senate was very
well satisfied with the allowances made by the
committee. Not until the charity appropria-
tions were reached was there anything ap
preaching opposition. The particular feature
which stirred up discussion was the reduction
from $4,000 to 81, 900 of the appropriation fol
the board of children's guardians.
| Senator Mcmillan insisted that the appro-
| priation be restored. The board had
only been established in 1892, and was en-
forced without regard to sect. The board
should not be crippled as was evidently in
tended by the amendment. The board of
guardians consisted of gentlemen and ladies
who give their time and attention free and
had accomplished great good. He then read
some statistics to show what had been accom-
plished by the institution during the past
fiscal year. He thought the work ought 10
encouraged and not discouraged.
BLAcKBuRSs SHARP CRITICISM
Senator Blackburn declared there had not
been a costlier luxury to the District, or
greater anomaly than this board of guard
ians. He was proceeding to discuss the mat
ter when Senator Mcmillan suggested that
the Senator's remarks were valuable and a
quorum ought to be present. After the re-
quired number of Senators had responded to
their names. Senator Blackburn continued by
saying that it cost about three or four times
Us much as it ought, to accomplish given
result. He said the board had not cared for
children. except those brought by one soli-
tary policeman. 1t had not been in exist
ence long enough to be either approved or
condemned. All the expenses were under
the supervision and administration OF one
man, who expended it without authority.
The agent. Mr.. Lewis. as had been admitted
even by the lady president OF the board had
the sole charge OF expenditures, and that it
was practical failure, that there was no con-
troll over the appropriation. She had offered
TO come before the Appropriations Commit
tee and make such statement. Senator
Blackburn then said that the board ought to
be abolished altogether.
IN DEFENSE OF THE BOARD.
Senator Gallinger criticized Senator Black
board. He denied that the money had been
wasted or squandered. great deal had
been done in reclaiming children from lives
OF vagraney or perhaps crime. He thought
the appropriation was in the right direction
and that Congress ought to be very glad 10
help non-sectarian institution and try to
make good men and women of children of
this kind The committee had increased
number of other appropriations and cut down
this. Congress was altogether too stingy in
appropriations for charities. He added that
the president of the institution-Miss Loring-
had made contrary statements to him and he
believed them. II what the Senator from
Kentucky said was true she ought to resign
from a position uncongenial to her. He be-
lieved Mr.. Lewis. the agent was a benevolent
and weil-meaning man. Senator Gallinger
thought the institution ought to be properly
supported.
GoRMAN EXPLAINED THE REDUCTION.
Senator German said the appropriations
for charities had been too widely distributed,
and that the committee had acted as it had
to accomplish the best results. What had
been appropriated TO the board last year was
too much and therefore it had been reduced
and the amount distributed among others.
The matter would have to be settled in con-
ference and he urged that the appropriation
be left as il stood. But he would consent to
make the salary of the agent 81 800. and allow
$1,000 for general expenditure. making a
total OF SIT 900 as against S13.150 in the bill.
This suggestion was adopted as an amend
ment to the bill.
The appropriations for the militia were ac-
cepted without amendment.
The water department appropriations were
accepted with one modification, increasing
clerks salary from $500 to $500.
Several amendments were then offered and
adopted. as follows: To clear the New York
avenue roadway between the car tracks be-
tween Ninth and Tenth streets, such time as
might be necessary; also $500 for grading
and paving north side of Lincoln square near
Fourteenth street. Senator Stewart secured
the adoption of an amendment providing
that $4,000 of the sum appropriated for
sprinkling should be expended outside Of the
cities OF Washington and Georgetown. Five
dollars of the sum appropriated for
street extension was directed to be paid to
Frederick Law Olmstead for sketches and
plans.
Senator PETER urged that the pay of ambu-
lance drivers and patrol drivers and assistants
be raised from 1850 to $3.50 year. He stated
the men worked holidays and Sundays and
had twelve hours work per day and some
times fourteen. They also had to take care
of their teams. The men had families, and
the pay suggested was certainly not exces-
sive Senator Call also advocated the in
crease but it was defeated.
MINOR AMENDMENTS ADOPTED.
Other amendments accepted in the earlier
part of the debate were as follows: Raising
the salary OF the special District attorn ey,
associated with the attorney for the District,
from 81. 200 to 81 500; an appropriation Of
SIP 900 for improving and widening Eight
eenth street from Florida avenue to the Co.
lumbia road: for opening an entrance to the
Geological Park from Woodley lane, 80 500
Gen. Hawley opposed the amendment OF
the committee directing the Supreme Court
of the District to vacate the condemnation
order in the case of the North Capitol street
extension, and applying the new law which
makes deduction for improvements, but the
committee amendment was agreed TO.
Other amendments changed the appropria-
ton for care of bridges from $4,000 TO s4 600;
the rent for school buildings, etc.,
from $4,000 to $4,000.
The reform school was placed under the
Commissioners, as was also the matter of ex-
penditures for the Freedmen's Hospital.
NOT A LEG LEFT TO STAND ON.