The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06

The Sundry Civil Appropriation bill
passed the House late yesterday afternoon
The feature OF the day was the discussion
Of that section of the bill which provides
for the purchase of land for the Govern
ment Hospital for the Insane. This sec
tion follows.
For the purchase. in the discretion OF
the Secretary Of the Interior. at a total
$40 acres Of land adjoining the present
building site Provided, that If said
amount Of land cannot be purchased for
cost not exceeding $4,000, OF not less than
said amount or for a less sum, the amount
herein appropriated shall be applied TO the
construction OF buildings for special classes
Of patients on the present grounds Of the
hospital suitable for the extension az
herein proposed
This provision OF the bill was stricken
out
When the House had resolved itself into
Committee Of the Whole the pending ques-
1ion was on Mr.. Mudd's amendment TO
strike out the paragraph relating 10 the
purchase Of the land. a division was Or
dered and the amendment was agreed 20
by a vote Of 40 to 81. The paragraph was
stricken out. Mr.. Talbert made a point Of
no quorum. but promptly withdrew it, Mr..
Cannon offered to amend the bill giving
the Secretary Of the Interior the right 10
acquire the land thereby indicated by con-
demnation provided the cost should not
exceed S2lO 600. Mr. De Almond offered a
substitute authorizing the Secretary OF the
Interior 10 accept as a gift or TO buy tract
OF land not less than 500 acres at cost OF
not less than S100 an acre.
Mr.. Cannon said this substitute would
authorize the purchase of land for the
hospital in Maryland. Virginia or Mis-
souri, There was he said for this no
warrant Of law and be made a point Of or
der against the substitute The point OF
order was sustained Mr.. De Almond then
took the floor against Mr. Cannon's amend
ment He said the amendment was quite
as Objectionable 10 him as the original
proposition. Il sought. he said. TO bring
about the same condition by the same
means. He did not see why all the Gov
eminent insane should be cared for in the
District OF Columbia. Branches Of the
hospital might be established in different
parts OF the country.
Mr.. Cannon summed up. He told Of the
emergency that existed at present. The
hospital was over-croWded. There was an
urgent demand for expansion along ra-
iional lines. He made a strong plea for
the adoption Of his amendment
Mr.. Benton OF Missouri opposed Mr..
Cannon's amendment He thought the
amount Of 500 600 should be better applied
to buildings on land that the Government
already owns on the east side Of Nichols
Avenue
Mr.. Grout advocated the amendment.
The proper treatment OF the insane de-
manded a large tract Of land. All the
land ought not to be covered with build
ings The land on the east side Of the
road is used as a farm and is needed as a
farm. The land which it is proposed TO
obtain was admitted to be desirable.
Mr. Loud Of California said he did not
think the land worth more than $500 an
acre.
Mr.. Allen said that on the occasion OF a
visit to the asylum he had been impressed
with the necessity Of relief from the over
crowded condition OF the hospital. Mr.. Al
len dwelt upon the eligibility Of the pro
posed site.
Mr.. Pearre OF Maryland explained 10 the
House that a delegation from the Congress !
Heights Citizens Association had called |
upon him yesterday and had made the ar |
eument that the price was exorbitant He /
opposed the amendment.
Mr. Norton of Ohio spoke eloquently in |
favor Of the purchase OF the land. He |
deprecated that the comfort Of the insane |
should be sacrificed to a cheeseparing |
policy. which would place the Insane Asy-
Jun On MnNtie anu NdlA IL III bAtA AA4N
highways and alleys in a search for cheap |
land
Mr.. Ridgely opposed the amendment Mr.. !
De Almond offered a second substitute for |
Mr.. Cannon's amendment providing FOR the |
of $50 600 for the temporary |
OF the insane. The Ques-
lion on this substitute was put and on
division resulted in 43 ayes and AZ noes,
whereupon Mr. Cannon called for tellers.
This vote thus registered was ayes -.
noes 49, The substitute was not agreed
to The question then being on Mr. Can
mons amendment. that amendment was lost
without a division.
Mr.. Wilson Of Arizona made a success
full fight for an amendment to the bill
providing an appropriation Of $4,000 for
Fort Whipple near Prescott, Ariz- After
a strong resistance By Mr. Cannon. tellers
were ordered and the amendment was
adopted by IS to a..
Mr.. Linney OF North Carolina moved an