Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-09
GETTING PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Mr. Berry Was Nervous, but Got His Post
.n0fRSe. ~- - .
Economists Plead With Their Col
leagues In the HDuse, but Wtth-
out Avsii-rhe Bills. ,.- r-

Yesterday afternoon the House, In COM
mittee of the whole. devoted its time to the
consideration of a number OF bills providing
for the erection Of public buildings. 1t was
an occasion which had been anticipated by
many members with pleasure mingled with
anxiety, for there was a possibility OF fond
hopes being realized, and a strong probable
ity of their being dashed rudely to the
ground. 1t transpired that 1t was the fear
and not the hope which was finally realized.
The first bill brought forward was Mr..
Berry's bill appropriating $1OO,OO0 for a post
office at Newport, Ky. MIR. Hutchinson OF
Texas was the first economist to place him.
self across the pathway of Mr.. Berry S
march to success. He thought the appro-
priatton was too much, and moreover neld
that the city should donate site and not
compel the government to purchase. MI
Hutchinson proceeded to elaborate his IDEAS
upon the subject, whereupon Mr. Berry
grew restless, for II had been agreed that
IL any bill showed signs of blocking the way
it would be withdrawn. In desperation Mr.
Berry finally agreed to compromise the mat
ter by slicing $4,000 from the appropria-
ton, although this concession was made
with sigh. Mr.. Berry frightened up when
Mr.. Hutcheson agreed, but his hopes fell a
moment later when Congressman Robinson
OF PENNSYLVANIA proceeded to make gen
eral speech public buildings. AS Mr..
Robinson proceeded and the committee
grew restless. Mr.. Berry became nervous.
There was danger that If this thing con-
tinued Mr.. Berry might have to. Withdraw
his bill. In mute sign language and with a
lCok of appeal upon his face which would
have moved heart of stone, Mr. Berry APP
realed to Mr.. Robinson to cut it short.
Finally, to MIR, Berry's intense relief, the
speech was concluded and the question call
ed for, shall the bill be favorably recon-
nended to the House.
Here a new anxiety arose. 1t was well
kp bot 1tC,rr lid g.,
the House who could not hope to get any
public buildings themselves. and who had
threa tened to make IL lively for the lucky
ones. Tnen there was the far more dreaded
element. the economists, who would be sure
to plead poverty as an excuse for not pass
ing the bills. Before the question was put
Mr.. PiSott of Connecticut, who had been
Quietly watching affairs. asked Mr.. Berry
III he thought ii right to erect post offices in
towns like Newport, where the profits Of the
office are only $Io,WO per year. and refuse
them to towns furnishing profits of sio,0V,
per year. Mr., Pigott also thought this a
bad time to spend public money. anyhow.
so when the question was pat and there
were yeas lib. noes H. Mr.. Pigott raised the
point of no quorum. \ loud murmur of dis
approval ran over the hall, but Mr. Pigott
was infexible, So while the tellers took their
places Mr.. Berry departed to drum up a
quorum.
The members rallied promptly TO Mr.. Ber-
rvs relief. for this was a matter where II
=
Men who did not know Mr.. Berry personal
ly. but who entertained fellow feeling for
a conrade whose public building bill was
i'm peril. came forward 10 vote The quorum
was rapidly appearing, SO when it was but
few votes shy Mn Pigott saw that he
vas beaten. and reluGtantly withdrew. Mr.
Berry's bill was thereupon laid by, with a
favorable recommendation, and Mr. Berry
sn'Dd by to do yeoman service for the next
ill.
The next bill appropriated s75r0 for
brockton. Mass, Snd It had comparative
y easy time. When Paterson, Y j.. was
reached. with an Appropriation Of s2thoo0,
the trouble rec@numeDced AIR. Dockery of
Missouri who had watched the proceedings
up to this point with angushcl coup-
ttnance. felt constrained to interposa
against this rape Of the treasury. With Il
voice almost fearful. AID win cutstretched
arms he appealed 20 his colleagues 20 exer-
else economy. He feelinsiy depicted the de-
rletod gold reserve. the growing deficit in
the revenues, an begged the House to
pause liz It's mad career of pr0fiisacy. But
the House was hard hearted AID turned n
deaf ear to his entreateS, the bill being laid
aside with = favorable recoinmendat ton
after Mr. Black of Georgia had frightened
its sponsor by threatening to insist upon q
point Of 10 quorum.
So the struggle continued. South Omaha
getting s2j3 90: Pottsviiie Pa. Sjt,a,o and
Cumberland. Md, e15Wp, until Chicago
boSbei up with a modest request for 81, ono =
&t. At this point halt called, and
after struggling until nearly O'Clock to get
a quorum the fight vas aba ndoned, and tae
House adjourned.