The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-10
SAVANNAH POSTOFFlCE SAFE.
THE HOUSE AGREES To HAVE II
BUILT OF WHITE MARBLE.


Col. Lester Wins q Great Victory in
Securing the Additional Appro-
priation-His Personal Popularity
Among the Members All That saw
ed the Day-Chnirman Cannon
Fights the Bill With His Charac-
teristic SRVaEery.
Washington. June 9.-Savannah's public
building will be finished in Georgia marble.
After hard fight in the House to-day,
Representative Lester persuaded a major
ity of his associates to vote with him to
override the decision of the House con-
ferees and accept the Senate amendment
TO the sundry civil bill, which allows Sa-
vaunah an additional 100000 to complete
her federal building in marble. 1t was a
hard struggle. and all the odds were
against the Savannah member when he
arose to address the House in support
of his proposition. An adverse vote had
just been taken on all of the other public
building items in the bill 1t was appa-
rent that the House was not disposed to
yield to the Senate. although that body
by unanimous vote, declared they would
not give up the public building items.
Chairman Cannon, in charge of the BILL
fought all the items with his characteris-
tic savagery, and he was almost violent
with rage when he discovered the infu-
ence Col. Lester was welding against him.
Col. Lester started the ball rolling by NOV
ing to recede from all objections to the
Savannah item.
Mr. Cannon objected
Then Representative Hartman Of Mon
tana, on behalf of the public buildings in
his state, moved an amendment in all
Col Lester graciously accepted the
amendment He displayed great tact by
so doing, for ne thus added to his forces
from the friends of the western cities.
Mr.. Hartman made a strong appeal for
the western capital, but the House voted
him down.
During the confusion the House OBJ
Jected TO all the public buildings amend
mentS, While Col. Lester was on his feet
shouting for q separate vote.
When Acting Speaker Payne restored or
der and it was made clear that Col. Les
ter had addressed the chair for rec0gni-
ton, the vote on the amendment was re-
considered and Col. Lester submitted his
original motion to make an exception in
favor of the Savannah building. He BRIEF
~ explained che circumstances under
which the contracts had been let, to show
that IL was the intention Of the friends
OF the building that II should be con-
structed Of marble, instead Of brick. He
SAID that unless the pending item was
sustained a brick building would be erect
| ed in Savannah, when the government
wanted and expected q marble building.
AT this point Representative Walker Of
| Massachusetts came to the rescue and
/ urged the House TO throw aside techni-
/ c5aihtles ana preeedents ana do a right
! ness proposition to give the government
| a handsome marble building, instead OF
| a plain brick Structure, which would dis-
| ngure the pretty city Of Savannah for all
time to Gomez This remark was greeted
| with applause.
Mr.. Cannon protested, but the senti-
| ment OF the House was against him, and
| there were shouts of Vote" Vote
| Vote" from all parts of the House. on
| a viva voce vote, the ayes carried, but
| the chair ruled in favor of the nays. \
| demand for a division was made and the
| count showed 100 ayes and Ga nays.
Chairman Cannon furiously demanded
| a, ron cal ana, When the call was COM
! pleted, Col Lester was victorious by the
| narrow margin Of 96 yeas and 81 nays.
| During the roll call Mr.. Cannon circu-
lated among the republican members and
pleaded with them not TO open the door
| to public building bills at this late day
| in the session. His work was offset by
| Representative Lester, who also busted
| himself among his republican friends in
| the Massachusetts, New York and New
| Jersey delegauons. The western repub-
! licans also came 10 his assistance, while
| he had the united support of the few
| democrats in attendance. 1t is fortunate
| that several members of the Georgia dele
| cation returned to Washington to-day
| as their votes secured favorable action
| on behalf Of Savannah.
Besides Col. Lester, Representatives
! Turner, Black, Tate, Bartlett, Russell
! and Maddox were in attendance. 1t was
| with no pleasure that Speaker Reed an
nOunced the decision, for he fought all
| public building bills relentlessly. Col
| Lester was overwhelmed with congratu-
lations from his associates, who crowded
| around him to shake his hand To-day's
result demonstrates that personal popu-
| larity often helps a good cause, when
otherwise justice and right would avail
nothing.
Capt D. G. Purse received the following
| telegram last night from Congressman
Lester:
capt. D. G. Purse, Savannah All
| right. The limit of cost public building
| is extended. Marble wins. r. e. Lester"