Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-11
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
A Yawning Pigeon Hole Receives the Free
Library Bill
Stock Arguments Against an Import.
ant District Measure Still
Another Bill withdrawn.

The House yesterday afternoon effectual-
ly shelved the free public library bill by
referring 1t to the committee on public
buildings and grounds, fronSwhich IL is not
likely to emerge. or, If it does come forth,
1t will be only to meet solid wall OF OBJ
lection. The reference of this bill to this
committee was brought about as the result
OF Mr. Cannon's amendment, and the Ques-
ton having been opened, the enemies OF
the bill were quick to perceive their OPP
portunity and to avail themselves of
chance to give the bill its death blow.
After the House had adopted Mr.. Cam
mons amendment providing that the
library shall not be located in the new city
post Office, but In a building to be provided
by the Commissioners Of the District ade-
quate to the accommodation of not less
than $1,000 volumes, Mr.. Milliken of Maine.
who entertained the idea that a building
was to be constructed for the purpose,
moved to limit the cost of 1t to SlOO, 200.
This precipftated discussion which in
cluded the arguments made earlier in the
day, and much of the ground which had
been gone over was again traversed.
The point was raised by several members,
including Mr.. Snodgrass. Mr.. Powers and
others, that the District should bear the
whole cost Of the support of the library.
Mr.. Heard gave one answer to all, and
said
The law, as It at present exists-the law
passed by Congress, of course. because the
District could not establish any law on
the subiect-provides that the expenditures
for District governmental purposes shall
be borne one-half by the taxpayers Of the
District and one-half by the treasury of
the general government. Now, / am not
here to argue whether that was a correct
basis of apportionment or not. i recognize,
however. the fact that 1T is the law as 1t
now exists and has existed for a number
OF years past; that this principle is applied
to every other District expenditure; and
see no reason why tho rule should be varied
borne by the people Of the District instead
of being apportioned on the same basis as
expenses of every other kind.
Il believe that this is legitimate and
necessary expenditure to be made by
Congress Of the money subject to our APP
preparation under the existing law. / do
not think 1t is right that this general law,
the provisions Of which operate with ref
erence to every other appropriation for
every other expenditure Of the District
should be changed with reference to this
particular expenditure, and the people of
the District compelled to pay out of their
own pockets the whole expense of estab-
fishing public library here. / earnestly
hope that the Judgment Of the House may
be taken on the bill without unnecessary
delay; that gentlemen will express their
views on the SUBJECT, and that We will have
a vote to know what form the bill is to
have If 1T be passed at ALL
Clearly Expressed.
Mr.. Dunn Of New Jersey, in the course
of his remarks, said: when the COMPARE
son is made that the people of some town
in Massachusetts or in my state erect
a library for themselves, and therefore
that the District of Columbia should do the
same, that illustration will not fit the case
at all, because the people there remain
there, except on their own volition, while
the people who are to be the beneficiaries
of this bill are gathered from every sec
ton of the country and will return to their
homes at the expiration of their public
service. Now, If the people of the District
of Columbia pay all the expenses of this
library they will be paying them largely
for your son or mine, or your neighbours
son, who comes here to get employment
fIom the government, and who will use
this library in improving their minds. 1t
would be unfair and unjust and against
the principle upon which the system was
created Of joint payment of the expenses
of the District government"
Mr. Boatner also opposed saddling the
whole cost on the District, and said such
a proposition Is illogical, in view of the ar
rangement existing between the govern
ment and the District for sharing ex-
penSeS.
The Day Wasted.
After some further debate Mr.. Powers
amendment was agreed to, directing the
whole cost of the library to be borne by
the District. Then Mr.. Dockery Of Mis-
souri,, who had said little in debate, but
was waiting in ambush for the bill with a
club, came forth and moved to refer the
bill TO the committee on public buildings
and grounds, which was done.
Mr.. Heard then called up the bill pro-
viding for the renewal of charters of cor
porations. Several members held that un-
der the bill, the Washington Gas Light
Company or any street railway company
could renew it's charter indefinitely and
an effort by Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa to limit
this privilege, excluding gas and electric
light companies and street railway COM
panies, brought on a discussion, which
was ended by Mr.. Heard withdrawing the
bill and bringing the session to a close
which ended District day.