The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-26
MAKING Up LOST TIME.
Senate Working Night and Day ON
Approximation Bills.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The Senate is
now working day and night the appro-
priation bills in order to complete them be-
fore the session closes. The sundry civil
Appropriation bill was considered with little
interruption or delay from II a. m. to 5
p. m, and again at night session. The
item of $150, 900 for the purchasing the his
toric property of the late James G. Blaine
in order to prevent it's use for theater pur-
poses, occasioned sharp debate, but was
finally agreed to. Other Senate amendments
agreed to during the day included: Temper
airy federal building at Chicago. 100000;
beginning new government building at Chi
cago, 100000
At the beginning of the session this morn
ing, Mr.. CockreI, chairman of the appro-
priations committee, made statement as
to the condition of the appropriation bills
and the need for night sessions and speedy
work. There were, he said, the sundry civil
and the legislative and judicial appropriation
bills on the calendar. The naval appro-
priation bill would be here to-day or to-
morrow. The deficiency bill would also come
over from the House probably to-day.
These bills will need attention as fast as
the Senate is able to work. said Mr.. Cock
rell He asked that recess be taken at
s O'Clock. tonight until 5 o'clock, and that
the session then continue until 10 or IL
tonight Mr.. Chandler gave notice that
| if this agreement was reached he would
priation bills. Mr., Cockrell said this would
! be the specific understanding. Mr.. Mander-
son suggested that there were too few
senators present to make such an agreement.
The presiding officer construed this an
objection and the request went over until
Mr.. German presented a partial agree
ment of the conferees on the District of
firmed on the items of agreement and a
further conference ordered on the items
still in question
The. sundry civil bill then taken up.
| of the lot for the new public building at
datory on the Secretary of War to have
two or more army engineers conduct the
| for public building at Annapolis, Md,
| was struck out on motion of Mr.. German.
AT this point several Senate pages ~trug
gled in with an enormous floral no. shoe,
| which placed on the desk of Mr. RAN
| som: nominated and confirmed on Saturday,
THE BLAINE MANSION.
The proposed purchase by the govern
! ment of the historic property of the late
| James G. Blaine, on Lafayette square, in
| order to avoid its use for theater purposes
| occasoned some debate. Mr. George urged
| an amendment requiring Mrs. Blaine to give
| complete title, and not mere quit title.
| Mr.. Palmer said some of his Chicago con-
| stituents We're interested in the proposed
| tneater. he opposed the government pur-
| chase, saying there was no public require
| ment for the property Mr.. Palmer made
/ point of order against the amendment
| Mr.. Gray urged the government purchase
| of the Blaine property and set forth the
| many historic memories clustered about the
! executive mansion and Lafayette square.
| Pending the discussion the vote on the
| joint resolution suspending certain opera
| tons through the free zone between the
| and the resolution sent back to committee.
| A letter was read from the theater man
| ayers protesting against the government
| purchase of the Blaine property and the
consequent interference with the theater
| Mr. Hale opposed the George amendment
| urging that Mrs. Baline was not seeking
this purchase BY the ns She Silva, was
| but not to add a warranty.
| Mr.. George raised the poini that the the
| alter managers would present claims for
Mr.. Galllnger said the the at people had
| reach almost the original item of appro-
| pration, $150000.
| The value and title of the property were
| discussed through the afternoon, at times
becoming very animated. 1t was stated that
! experts had valued the property. at sl15.Oo9
| that it was worth much less in view of
| the outstanding cloud on the title. Mr..
| ket for two years at less than si5o.oOO.
Mr.. Vests amendment requiring Mrs.
BLAINE to give tie smple ' nav wa2
| Mr.. White proposed a substitute providing
| for the condemnation Of the Blaine property
| injustice of such action against Mrs. Blaine.
The substitute was defeated-23 to p. The
| committee amendment for the purchase OF
| the Blaine property was then agreed to-
| The sundry civil bill was then proceeded
| with expeditously. An amendment was in
| serted Of $4,000 for new lighthouse at
! Smiths point Chesapeake bay. Maryland.
| At 5"15 The senate held an executive ses-
| sion. and then took "A recess until o'clock.
The night session of the Senate was at
l~I 40 ahrt1- tpran Gar htIf saS
| the question of quorum was not raised
work proceeded on the sundry civil appro-
| chief officials of the coast and geodetic
| survey occasioned much debate. The House
| had reduced the number of bureau as
sistants from forty-two to twenty-three:
1 The Senate committee restored the original
number. Mr. McLaur.n read letter from
| survey. saying the reduction was desirable
| and if not made the extra men would
| become pensioners Mr.: cockrell declared
| that Superintendent Dufield of the bureau.
had proposed the reduction with the en-
| thusiasm of officer anxious TO in
| augurate reforms and before he knew the
| needs OF the office. Mr.. Allison said Su-
4 override his superior. Secreatry Carlisle,
who had estimated for the full corps Of
the bureau. The Senator said there was
some secret history as 10 the way this re-
ducton was recommended without the
knowledge of the Secretary of tho Treas
| ury The enlarged staff of forty-two as
| recommended by the committee. was agreed
| to-
| Committee amendments We're agreed TO.
appropriating 5000 10 the widow or other
| heirs of each of those killed in the Ford
| Theater disaster, also $4,000 for an electric
| lighting plant for the Capitol The amend
| ments increasing the appropriation for sur
| veying the public lands from si75e90 to
| $500 600 was temporarily passed, Mr. Dubois
| of Idaho giving notice of a further amend
! ment. making the appropriation sl0000a.
| The amendment was agreed to appropriate
| ing $4,000 for surveys of lands within the
limits of railroad land grants and amend
ing the law on the subject.
The amendment WAS agreed to. donating
| the abandoned Fort Mckinney military
reservation and buildings TO the State of
Wyoming for State institutions. Also
| granting 10 North Dakota lands in the Fort
Rice military reservation. Also appropriate
| ing 100000 for renewing the surerstructure
of the Rock Island Gllinois) bridge The
| Secretary of War is directed TO expend
| not to exceed S49o.00o in changing the bridge
to a double track structure under certain
contract relations with the Chicago, Rock
Island a. Pacific railroad
Mr.. Cockreil offered an amendment which
was agreed to- appropriating S3009e for
completing the statue OF Gen. William
TccQmsch sherman. The committee amend
ments TO the bill were approved until the
concluding features were reached. first.
concerning the Government Printing Office.
and second. concerning the important imam
cial pan for an Issue of $oo,coo.ooo Of GER