The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-19

Comparatively few voters ever have an
opportunity to read the verbatim reports of
the Congressional Record, and consequently
do not appreciate the hippaney practiced in
voting away the peoples money. AS an illus
tration of the log rolling methods pursued in
this connection. some extracts from the
Record are given below associated with the
passage of bills providing for the erection Of
public buildings in different parts of the
, Country
Whenever the house Of representatives re-
solves itself into committee OF the whole 10
consider reports from the committee on pub
lie buildings and grounds, a season of fun is
assured. While it is not exactly divine
comedy that is enacted it is comedy of
very solemn qualiry-something resembling
that Of Fagins Instructions to the boys in
the methods OF petty thievery. 1t may be
well TO note that every days proceedings open
with prayer by the chaplain.
Thus Tuesday, Feb. T. reports from the
committee on public buildings and grounds
We're IN order. The following colloquies
taken verbatim from the Congressional
Record;
Mr.. Bai.ty-Of course I presume that. in
the consideration Of the bills the members
Of the committee are first TO be served II
the committee has not provided for Itself
IN that way, it is the only committee in
the house, think, that would not have done
MIR. Mercer-Oh. well. the committee has
not been specially bashfuI in that regard.
laughter
Mr. Bankhead-The committee I will state.
has provided fer itself. There are five Demo-
crats and ten Republicans on the committee.
NOW, the first fifteen bills to be taken up
and considered by the COMMITTEES Of the whole
are distributed as follows: Nine are Republi-
can bills and SIX Democratic.
Mr. Baiiey-Well that seems to be almost
fair proportion Uaughter.l
It was proposed to erect a pubic building
st Blair Neb.. where the population is 600
at a cost CT S43 000. and TIE following took
place:
Mr.. Dockery-It seems to me that this IS
most astonishing proposition-S43 eco for a
PUBIC oulidlng IN a city with a population
OF only 5.000i
MI Mercer-The treasury department rec
commended $4,000, and the bill called for
S5O,OVO- We have reported the bill in accord
ahce with the amount recommended by the
treasury department.
Mr. Dockery-I do insist that IL is a wanton
waste OF the public money TO erect a public
ouidlng III a town of 5000 inhabitants when
~ is without a federal court.
Mr. Mercer-It needs d postofTlce
The question was taken; and the commit
tee amendments were agreed to.
. Next came Altoona. Pa with a claim for
a public building at cost Of S125. 900.
Mr.. Naddox-If We are to build a postofice
In every town in this country with not more
than 1000 population, 1 apprehend that it will
take all the money We have. I want to say If
the gentlemen want TO get along with these
dis, and want to get along quickly with
them, if they viii rise to their feet and
give an explanation OF the Dill and show its
merits, giving all its merits, We viii not OPP
pose bill If it IS a meritOriOus bill: but il
IS our duty to stand here and contend that
they give some explanation without members
being required to call for It.
Mr.. Steele Let me remind the gentleman
mat an explanation was given, namely, that
there was member on the committee
Mr.. MaddoX-Ohi
Mr.. Steele tcontinuing)-That wanted that
bill passed.
Mr.. MADDOX member on the committee,
I overlooked that fact. Laughter9
The amendments recommended by the COM
mittee were agreed to.
The bill as amended was laid aside to be
reported TO the house with a favorable rec
ommendatiOn.
bill for Elizabeth City, y. c., appropri-
ating $4,000, passed; one for Oakland Cal,
s250,Oo0: one at Elmira, y. Y, $50, GEO. Then
came forward another propositsn for pub
lie building at Hot Springs, Ark. at a cost
of SIS, 600. reduced from 500, Geo. This drew
forth a speech from Mr.. Little. the repre-
sentative from that district. in which sublime
reference is made TO the waters there, as fol-
lows:
1T should not be forgotten that these
thermal waters are the property of the gov
perpetuated as the common Inheritance of
afflicted mankind throughout the world. The
great problem that confronts the scientific
world as to how best to overcome disease
and restore health and vigor is here solved
by the wisdom of nature
The wisest philosopher and most learned
aad scientific men of our age bow in mute
silence in the presence of these wonderful
waters. They stand where the aborigines
stood centuries ago in wonderment at the
Incompatible blessing of nature and exhaust
less kindness Of the great Giver of all bless
tngs."
This eloquent apostrophe was al that was
necessary. The Record adds:
Mr.. Mercer-I move that the bill as amend
ed be laid aside with a favorable recomnen-
Iation.
The motion was agreed to.
The next was a bill for the erection of a
public building at New Brunswick, y. J.,
costing 500 eco
Mr. Howell-The population is about 2S, 900.
The net revenue for the Office in 1898 was
s27. coo.
Mr. Handy-That is So apiece for every
man, woman, child and yellow dog in the
city. G-aughter.)
Mr. Mercer-The net revenue inside of five
years viii pay for the building.
Mr.. Handv-The gross receipts here az
stated in the report. are only about 49, coo.
Mr. Mercer-I beg the gentIemans pardon,
about $40 600
The bill was laid aside to be reported to