The sun., 1895-02-03
SENATOR CAMERON AND THE
BLAINE PROPERTY.
How He Proposes 20 Prevent the Erection
OF . Theatre that Site.

WARRINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator Don Cameron
has long enjoyed the reputation OF being tho
most successful log roller in Congress, and his
abilities in that line are now being put to a So
we're test. When Mrs. James &. Blaine a few
weeks ago made a ninety nine years lease of the
property on which stood the historic old house
in which her husband died, to party OF Chicago
capitalists q site for new theatre building,
Mr.. Cameron was much annoyed, The Blaine
property adjons his charming old residence on
Madison place, and. although he had not op-
posed Mrs. Blaine in her desires to dispose Of
her property. he was none the less indlg-
nant. The Senator layed low as usual, how
ever, and only lately his plan for preventing the
erection OF theatre has become known. An
amendment has been offered TO the Sundry
Civil Appropriation bill by Senator Gray, pro-
viding for tho purchase OF the site OF the old
Blaine house by the Government, as 1t adjoins
the vacant lot next to the Department of jus
tice building. The argument for the passage OF
the amendment Is that the Government needs
another vacant lot for some future purpose, and
that therefore II should be secured before the
theatre building Is erected. The friends OF the
lessees OF the Blaine property are making a
strong fight against Senator Gray's amendment
which has been referred To the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, OF which Sena-
tor Cameron's chum, Mr. Vest, Is Chairman,
and his colleague, Mr. Quay. a member
In opposition 10 the amendment 1t is said that
tho Government can have no possible use for
the Blaine property. as under the existing law
no public buildings can be erected on piece OF
ground not large enough 10 afford a clear space
OF forty feet on every side. This would be Inn
possible on the Blaine lot unless all the build
inRs on the square should be condemned and
purchased by the Government. IL Is said to be
a fact. moreover. that the building occupied by
the Department OF Justice has many vacant
rooms In II now. being too large for the
uses OF the Attorney Generals Offics and
that there ls therefore M scarcely Ar iei any Ne Te-
Cameron with his usual shrewdness. made no
movement for the purchase OF the properly by
the Government until the lessees had torn down
the old Blaine house. The south windows OF tho
Senator's mansion now have an unnbstructsd
pennSyaS ynnnns ts riysr and The viz
ginia hills. The senator. Of course knows mat
II the Government gets possession OF ihs a iot ~
as the adjoining property has done. Co.,
During the last session Of Congress senator
Cameron ch&mpioned the cause OF eI,sengtor s. lsi
tract OF landhor!h Of the Capito, 70 We .9Y-
srnmsPt The s,s Of proposed TS new 81 'ssrb sab
born hZhts and an amount Of log rolling not
seen since the palmy days OF River anu har-
t0riAl poker club got a favorable, vote
in the Senate for the ,pnTehase r nI ne ne
Malone nd sli ,udd sn 'y ssa bic " r6rt s was
made on the bill from the House Comm tee o1
Public huildlngs aHd Grounds. I'M, Dlil W.!
be called up sOOn and n is more than llktl( thhL
the friends OF the Malone site bill will win he
hght that l. sure 10 come. The contest for tho
been waged Ia Congres- Tor ave or six years. II
Is the Malone cite against all others, ana IN the
mean time the oa building used by tfe noiesn,
aud Killing lot Of Goyernment employees. as
the FordsThsAtrs building fell = few years Aso.