The Washington times., 1894-08-12

Henderson. "There is mortgage OF s125,0OO
on the land which has been on 1t for some
years. Under such circumstances the owners
can afford to sell"
Mr. Henderson then argued at length on
the financial side of the transaction.
''If we let this plan so now God Aimignty
and humanity will indict the House OF repre-
sentatiyes for any loss of life." he added.
PRESENT BUILDING DANGEROUS.
Mr.. Meredith, of Virginia, followed and
said he would support the amendment. Il
do not care" said he, "whether 1t Is the
M?hone lot or any other lot. vote for 1t
because believe shall so best represent the
people of Virginia, and because believe the
present building is in a dangerous condition.
A crack in one Of the walls has been recently
discovered. l feel afraid every time l go
there. l was there this morning."
The next speaker was Mr.. Bryan, bitter
opponent of the Malone lot. Every one,
said he, ''recognizes the necessity for the
building. But this eternal lobbying is re-
sponsibe for the delay. 1t is a shame that
every time public building is needed we
should be prevented from taking any action
because somebody insists We shall buy his
lot" He then arraigned the chairman OF the
Committee on Buildings and Grounds for his
course in trying to help make the government
buy somebody's land when a piece belonging
to the government could as well be used.
LET the amendment go back To the Senate.
aud if they insist on letting people be killed
because we won't buy Mr.. Mahone's land, let
them take the blame." he concluded.
Mr.. Smith, of Illinois, made brief speech
in behalf of MIR. Bretz's amendment, after
which Mr. Bankhead had sent TO the clerks
desk and read an old letter from Mr.. Palmer,
written when Public Printer, on the necessity
of increased and better accommodations Tor
the printing house, and a similar letter from
Public Printer Benedict, written in July. al
ready printed in the papers. In which he ad-
vocated the purchase OF lots adjacent to the
present printing office building, showing that
the price for which the land could be bought
was reasonable and the land suitable. Both
these letters were addressed to MIR. Sayers,
chairman of the Committee on Appropria-
tions Mr.. Bankhead then had read his sub
stitute for the Senate amendment, providing
for the acquisition by purchase, not to exceed
the present appropriation under the act OF 1880,
of $3.50, 900, or on failure to purchase for the
condemnation OF land adjoining the present
Government Printing House building for the
erection of an addition thereto.
Mr.. McKaig, of Maryland, urged the use
Of the adjacent land
Mr.. Dunn, of New Jersey, also favored
using the present Site In 1861 the land on
the Malone lot was SO soft that man could
bury himself by simply walking there. he said.
Mr. Cannon, of Illinois, spoke in favor OF
an entirely new site, Mr.. Bretz closed his
argument for a public reservation, and Mr..
Brown. of Indiana. made brief speech for
the Malone lot. He called attention to the
fact that the appropriation had already been
made and that there was no occasion for the
expenditure of more money. Mr.. Williams
followed with speech for the land adjacent
TO the present printing Office.
When the time had expired the motions
were voted upon in order made and with the
result above stated. and the House adjourned.