Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-18
LOOKING FOR A SITE.
The Contest Over Locating the Gov
ernmsnt Printing Office.
Removing Noted Mansion Old Landmarks
Goinq-White House Reception.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-[Special. I'VE
seem destined never to hear the last OF the
contest about the site for the new govern
ment printing Office. 1t is most inter
esting case too. For about two years IL
has been a fruitful cause of contention be-
tween the senate and house, and tho emu
is not yet AS almost every one knows,
the buildings now occupied by the govern
ment printing office are in dangerous
condition. 1t is feared they will collapse
under the weight of machinery and engulf
hundreds of workmen in their ruins. Con
eress has made appropriation 1or new
huilding. but smart row has ensued over
the selection of site. The senate favors
a piece of ground owned by ex-senator
Malone, while the house is in favor OF an
other and cheaper site. Ordinarily the SEN
ate would yield in matter of this sort,
taking the cheapest site obtainable. But
the little ex senator from Virginia has
host of friends on both sides OF the senate,
and they have had their stubbornness
aroused to such an extent that they declare
it must be the Malone site or nothing.
A Case of Stubbornness.
Last week the house committee on pub
lie buildings and grounds had meeting
and decided to accept the senate's ultima
tum. They did not like to yield, but the
vision of collapsed printing office, with
hundreds of men and women dead and dy-
ing in the ruins, was responsibility
greater than they cared to go ON assum-
ing. When this action became known to
members of the house, they were very In
dignant. They declared it was all igno'
minious surrender to the senate. There
have been efforts to make it appear that
there is too much money making in the
sale of the Malone property, but ! have
carefully Investigated these rumors ana
find that this suspicion is not shared by
members best acquainted with tho facts,
They say tho Malone lot is undoubtedly
worth all he is to get for 1t, $3.50, OOO, but
that better site for the printing Office
may be had for less money 1t seems to be
a case of stubbornness all round, and it
is the usual thing for tho house to lose the
day in such contests with the senate. AT
any rate, it is to be hoped congress will
get through quarreling about tho site and
the new building can he constructed and
occupied before the old one falls down
An Old Landmark.
To old Washingtonians there Is some
thing very sad about the present appear
ance of the famous mansion on Lafayette
square once occupied by Mr.. Blaine
Workme are now tearing down the walls
of the noted house and converting the ia
miliar scene into one of ruin and cOnfu
sion. What most disturbs the old Wash
ingtonian is fear that the whole of La
fayette square will ere long go the same
way. II is tho most celebrated park or
open block in the national capital 1t
was the orchard of Davy Burns, original
owner of good part of the site of the city,
and it is supposed that it was under the
shade of one of these trees that Burns and
George Washington had their historic in
terview concerning conversion of the
Scotchman's farm into q city. The White
House is on one side of this square and
ST. Johns, about the oldest church in the
city, on the other. For nearly century 1t
has been the most select and elegant resi-
dence quarter of the city 1t is surrounded
by historic houses houses with no end of
romance and tragedy clinging round them.
Now it looks as if the march of progress
would invade this historic square and root
out all the old landmarks. Blane's honse
is to DC succeeded by u theater with roof
garden. Dolly Madisons house is now
used by a club. 1t is predicted that in
short time business blocks will supplant
the elegant old residences. This tendency
has raised anew the belief that the time
has come to provide the president and his
family more fitting place of residence.
The White House is now nearly surround
ed by business houses, and if Lafayette
square bc given over to mammon 1t Will
soor be wholly so, excepting, of course, in
its rear, where the government owns the
land and keeps it free of buildings
cable car line runs in front of the execu-
tive mansion, aud while it is a good place
for the office of the president it is not
good place for him and his family to dwell.
Another Front Door Wanted.
Last week the president gave the first of
his evening receptions at the White House
Notwithstanding the inclernent weather
there was great crowd and crush As
usual, it Is claimed there was a LARGE at
tendance of the unlimited, for 1t is unfor-
tunately true that any one who likes may
walk in at these receptions. provided only
that he or she be of decent appearance md
attire. The doorkeepers do not pretend
to know every one that comes, and no one
is asked to show his invitation card In
the east room about ! l clock the crush
was frightful Fully ], 500 people were at
this hour in a house which would be fairly
filled with 800 or 400. The worst of it is
the White House has but one front door,
and that is always crowded with new or
rivals. The guests who wish to depart
arc compelled to go out an improvised exit
through n window. 1t makes one shndder
to think what would happen If fire or
panic were to break out in the White
House on the occasion of one of these
crowded receptions. Congress should pass
the bill appropriating money for new
residence for the president and his family,
retaining the present mansion for the ex-
Vcutive offices. ROBERT GRAVES.