The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-15
LONG-DIsTANCE WRITE

Il.
Now that the river and harbor appropria-
ton and the so-called omnibus public
building bills nave become laws by the sig
nature of the President. there is found in
be called virtue, expressed in indignation
and in pessimistic observations upon the
degeneracy of the times. The appropria-
ton bills are large. partly because no river
and harbor bill was passed by the last Con-
gress beginning new work, while compar-
atively little had been done in placing pub
lie buildings outside of the larger cities.
The people of Indianapolis are witnesses
to the conservatism or stinginess of Con-
gress for dozen years in regard to appro-
priatio1s for public buildings. Now there
is great clamor because money has been
appropriated for public buildings in cities
like Anderson, Muncie, South Bend, Ham
mOnd and Vincennes. The directors tell us
there is no precedent for such wastefulness.
AS matter of fact there is no end of prec-
edent. From the eastern extremity of Maine
down along the coast of Massachusetts,
there are more towns that have stopped
growing with population of less than 10000
that have federal buildings than have not
There are towns with a population from
5000 to 10000 that have had public build
ings for more than forty years. 1t may be
added that perhaps with a single exception
the public buildings voted for Indiana by
the present Congress can be defended on
the ground of economy, while the other
marks the most historical spot in the CEN
trail West. But these long-distance con-
SENATORS of public virtue and public NOR
ais. closing their ears to reasons, deplore
the degeneracy of the times which permits
senators and representatives to combine 10
rob the treasury. And yet one of the pa
pers in the East which has been making
the most profuse display of its righteous
indignation over the two bills referred to
has been scoldng because an amount
three times as large as is voted for public
| buildings is not set aside for pneumatic
tubes for the postal service in one city
There is doubtless money appropriated
| for the improvement of rivers and harbors
that are of no Importance to any consid-
cradle locality. much less the country.
Millions of dollars have been wasted upon
| the Missouri river. which the present House
committee practically declares TO have been
wasted because of it's peculiar character
| and because transportation is cheaper and
more satisfactory by rail. Even the mem
Der of the House who has protested against
river and harbor appropriation bills for
| fifteen years confessed that much less
money is wasted by the bill just passed
than in any river and harbor appropria-
/ ton bill for years. But as usual. the East
| ern cities. which can see no proper objects
| of expenditure except their own harbors
| scold because not as much is appropriated
! for their needs and charge Congress with
| corrupt combination because large sums
are appropriated TO rivers and harbors OF
which they have no knowledge because
when they travel they go TO Europe and
know nothing OF the empire west of the
| AHeghenies. which puts the center of the
| Nations population in a country unknown
| TO them. One OF the most unhappy OF these
papers is one which has been the untirins
! advocate OF the construction OF canal &c
connect the lakes with the Ohio at Pitts.
| burg that the latter might get its iron ores
| cheaper than IL now does. That canal
which would cost millions. is. in the judg.
ment OF the paper in question, a nationa
work OF tile largest importance. while itG