Evening star., 1896-03-09

revenues Mr.. Powers said he did not want
the people of Vermont to be charged with
one-half of the salaries Of the library en-
ployes
Mr.. Wellington said that the people of
Vermont are not to be taxed. This library
is not gift to the city of Washington. If
the government paid its share of taxes up
on its property in this city the government
would have to contribute just as much as
now
Mr.. Grout of Vermont called attention to
the fact that the legislature of that state
appropriates at every session to aid libraries
in the towns.
Mr.. Powers. continuing, said Congress
should make the Congressional Library
public enc. and thus meet the demand for
a circulating library. Mr.. Powers said the
practice of The governments bearing one
Eaif the expenses of the District is an un-
wise one. Government property should not
he taxed The enhancement of real estate
by the location of the national capital here
should be compensation to Washington for
all things.
This library is an extravaganza said Mr..
Powers. The people do not need library.
If they must have one they should pay for
it themselves. He said the promoters of
the bill will withdraw it as soon rs they
see that the District must hear the cost.
MIR. Powers div erted from his argument to
touch upon the matter of electric lighting.
He said his town in Vermont pays cne-half
as much money for just double the il
Illuminating power OF the electric light
Mr. GrOut Defends the BILL.
Mr.. Grout of Vermont said the present
law affecting the conduct of the District IS
rot an agreement between the people of
this city and The government. 1t is the
government, the people of the whole coun
try, who are conducting this city to suit
themselves. In Mr. Powers own state. the
legislature appropriates 500 for libraries
in towns for every s1W contributed by the
tovIs- Mr.. Grout said it was not fair to
draw comparison letween state and fed
eral government in the assertion that
state legislature building is not taxed by
the city There is no parallel between the
cases.
Mr. Circuit was sorry his colleague had
raised the point. Such men as Elmunds
and Morrill of Vermont and other distin-
Suished representatives of the state have
ieen satisfied with the present arrange
rent. and felt that the people of Vermont
Cniy wanted the people of Washington as
Well provided for as themselves.
Mr.. Grout said it Is not feasible to open
the Congressional Library free circu-
1atins library. and it could not be done.
In the last Co, gress this bill vas with
drawn because it involved another qlIes-
tion. that of occupancy of a government
building
ldr. Grout would be "scnsitively just
with public money. but for bimself ne
would favor putting the library in tine
new post office building, because it is a
central location. the place where the peo-
pie go TO get their mail and the people
Rave risnt to demand convenient loca-
ticn- The library is properly an object of
municipal expense.
Favored the Powers Amendment.
Mr.. Pitney of New Jersey, a member CT
the comr;ittee on appropriations, advocated
Eir. Powers amendment. He claimed that
the revenue of the District can amply af-
ford the expense of the proposed library
and should be made to do il.
Mr.. Talbert of South Carolina favored the
amendment He said this library is not
necessary. anyhow. He did not believe the
demand for library comes from the citi-
zens of the District but from a few Repre-
scntativeS and Senators who own property
here.
Var. Wellington on the Demand for
the Library.
Mr. Wellington opposed the amendment
He denied the assertions of Mr.. Talbert
and said the demands for this library are
backed up by the people. There is no de-
mand from the Congressman, as intimated
by Mir. Talbert. The library bill has been
recommended for passage by the District
Commissioners and indOrsed by the trus-
tees Of the public schools, by the board of
trade. by the Federation of Labor, by the
press of the District and by public-spirited
citizens generally. The sentiment for its
adoption seems to be universal.
IL was shown in debate that the Congress
sional Library cannot be used as a crcu-
lating library. The citizens lave been try
ing for years to get some benefit from that
library
The Bill Passed With the Powers
Anne ndment.
and adopted the amendment of Mr.. Powers
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