Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-05-28
The Federal Building at st. Adams

for Quay and others by going into the
Mckinley camp and surrendering.
The Federal Building at st. Adams
It is a pleasure TO be able to congratu-
late the good people OF St. Adams upon
the prospect that their federal building
which was badly damaged in the big hro
last year when 1t was on the point OF
completion, will soon be restored TO IL,
former condition. The structure was not
only a marked ornament to tho town, but
1t was also seriously needed especially by
the customs and postofI'ce DEPARTMENT.;
and the repairing OF the damage done to it
will greatly facilitate business in those
departments in ST. Adams.
But the fact that the federal building
was greatly needed was not enough to en-
sure the appropriation by Congress Of the
sum necessary to restore It, on the con-
trary 1t required all the influence that
could be exerted by the Vermont delcga-
tion in Congress as well as others to induce
Congress 10 make an exception in the
case of St. Adams 10 the rule that no
money should be appropriated al this ses-
sion for federal buildings.
When the sundry civil appropriation bill
passed by the House was taken up in the
Senate for consideration Senators Morrill,
and Proctor succeeded in securing the
adoption OF an amendment providing for
the appropriation OF $40, 400 TO repair and
rebuild the federal building at ST. Al
bans. This WAS no ensy matter in Wow
OF the financial condition OF the national
a
similar projects favored by other sena-
tors in all parts OF the country; bur the
strength and popularity OF our Vermont
senators enabled them to accomplish this
where others might have failed.
The bill as amended was returned TO the
House and on Saturday the amendment,
dealing with the federal building at St
Adams came up for consideration. When
the amendment had been read Congress
man Powers addressed the House In it,
support. After telling Of the manner in
which the building was damaged and ex.
hibiting photographs showing the condi.
ton OF the structure before and after the
hre Congressman Powers said according
to the Congressional Record:
"One third OF the existing structure to.
day can be utilized and saved permanently
If work Is commenced on ii at once: but
II there is delay OF another year, even
this part OF the building viii be utterly
Destroyed and the government will be
subjected 10 an additional cost OF s.5, 900 OF
perhaps $4,000 more than would be neces.
sary at this time TO preserve it.
Now, ms to this item in the approprla-
ton. bill passed the Senate approprla.
ting the money unanimously, and the
H0ugG Oh,
buildings and grounds when Il reached
this body; and by that committee. as
am informed by three or four member,
ana II / am not correct tho gentlens r
from Massachusetts (Mr. Morse will cor.
rect melt was approved by the commit
zee Every member OF the committee
agreed that the appropriation ought TO he
made; but. In view OF the condition OF the
treasury the same policy inaugurated in
respect 70 other public buildings was fol-
loWed-thnt Is, that no bill was to be re-.
ported 10 the House. although every mem.
per agreed that tho appropriation ought
to be made. Thoreupon this amendmen,
was put on in the Senate, and 1t comes
over TO the House for it's action. 7 h,ve
inc authority OF each member OF the con.
ference committee having the matter IN
Warsc 70 say that they themselves aRree
nat the amendment ought TO he n,oda
NOW, Mr.. Speaker. let me submit II te
the candid Judgment of this House Her,
is n piece of public property. hit stand.
twelve months longer the action OF IN, eIs
mehts upon 1t Will absolutely destroy /,
don Ia made and work resumed. onA-thiri
or the walls OF that building can b. ullll,.I
and the building reproduced. Now Mr.
speaker. submit TO the candid iudrmer
OF nus House that we can NOT AFFORD. =.
representatives OF the people. to allow ia,
public properly OF the people to be wast.h
~ any one OF you hos the roof of you,
houae burned YOU wovld, as pruden
man, al once go 10 work and save the b,I
anne. of tho house. Why should w. M
adopt the same thing here. Talk N N.
about the money In the treasury being Ia
sufhciant 70 DO these things! No man II
MS private Affairs would allow his mn r
italy burned dwelling house to 20 to ruiz
II he could savo 1t by borrowing a few dol
iars' Why should not the governmen
then. do the same thing with respect :,
this and try to act With economy ra,b.
fhan TO act with e1travasance? WHY. ar
We were told by the chaplain In his prav.
this morning that man was croatAd a In
tle lower than tho angels: but when va,
look upon the action Of the House on YES
terday l think the chaplain probably wa
nbsent. think II he had been present h
"ouid nave had an entirely different idea
''"N w ~ may WIS IN n matter q
absolute merit, and no man can contro
vert IL. Any man who will take IN,
troupie TO look at the picture Of that build
ing as IL was and as 1t now is will at one
vote Tor this proposition"
Congressman Mllliken of Maine ant
others opposed the St Adams approprla
ton. Congressman Grout after speakin,
OF the manner in which the amendment
was referred spoke as follows:
This appropriation is really In the ma
ture OF repairs, because there is some
thing left OF the building to be preserved
as has been stated'by my colleague.
Tho gentleman from Maine says tina
the frost Of winter would not unfayornbl
anect these blocks Of marble. Everybod
who Knows anything about granite o
marble knows that 1t would AFFECT unfa
vorAbly such part of the walls as sti
stand. Evey block Of marble which coul
be used In the new structure, 10 loft to tn
action Of the frosti> as II Is, the Joints be
Ing somewhat open. a. they are from tn
effects Of the nre. would be- subject to dis
intesration. MY colleague from Vernon
stated that this was one of the larees
supports Of entry In Vermont
Mr.. Powers. In the country
Mr.. Grout. Yes, In the country; but
the largest in Vermont It would be lare
for the district OF Vermont, is one OF sew
erai large SUPPORTS. And % uivstratin
inc slge Of this SUPPORT Will say that tn
amount Of revenue received at the port 0