Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-10
SENATE VOTES To GIVE
OLD POSTOFF|CE TO
CITY OF ATLANTA
Item Which Was Stricken
From the Appropriations Bill
in House Is Restored by the
Senate
BY RALPH SMITH


WASHINGTON, d. C., June S.-The
senate today passed the Clay amend
ment to the sundry civil appropriation
bill, providing that the old postoffice
building shall be sold and the ground
donated to the city of Atlanta to be used
for municipal purposes. The amendment
is a fac simile of the item that was
stricken from the bill in the house of rep
fesentatives last Saturday on a point of
order by Representative Martin. of South
Dakota. The action of the senate will
throw the item in conference. Senator
Clay, fortunately for Atlanta, Is a MEM
Der of the conference committee. He
may be relied upon to exert himself to
keep the provision in the bill.
The item as IL now reads. follows:
TEXT OF PROVISION.
The secretary of the treasury is au-
thorized to lave appraised. in fair and
impartial manner, the old postoffice
building in the city of Atlanta. Ga, hav
ing in view the value of said building for
municipal purposes, and to convey said
building together with the lot or lots
heretofore donated by the city of At
lanta to the government of the United
States on which said building is situa-
ted, to the said city OF Atlanta, on the
payment by it into the treasury of the
United States of tie amount of the APP
praised value of said building thus as
certained. Providing that the acceptance
of such conveyance by the city of At
lanta shall constitute a release of any
and all obligations of the government of
the United states under the deed from
the city of Atlapta TO the United States
or bv the agreement referred to therein.
NO PROTEST MADE.
The Atlanta item went through the SEN
ate like 1t had been creased. Not voice
was raised in protest. Not an inquiry
was made concerning the provision. NO
comment was heard on either side of the
chamber Senator Clay himself sat quiet
Nv. listened to the reading OF the para
graph by the clerk and heard the vice
president announce that had been agreed
tn without objection" This meant thdl II
had passed the senate.
Georgia's junior senator, standing as
Godfather for the item, had taken the
precautions necessary to insure It's &C
ceutance by the senate. There was NJ
occa sion for talk or explanation. Sena-
tor Clay had seen in person ana ex-
planned in detail the purpose OF the pro-
vision to such senator's as he thought
likely to make a parliamentary point OF
the item. Among these were Senators
Hepburn, of Idaho, whose senatorial ca
reer is much of a protest; Senator BITS
tow, or Kansas, anu othei icS'eSS S'S''
who have been known to throw obstacles
in the way of legislation.
PASSAGE LOOKS CERTAIN.
The passage of the item by the senate
practically insures it's ultimate adoption
by the house, the objections of Represen-
tative Martin to the contrary notwith-
standing. The house conferees. of whom
Chairman Tawney will be the domino ting
influence, will undoubtedly accept the
Clay amendment. The matter will be re-
ported to the house and the conference
report adopted by that body. Should there
be objection, a mere point of order or
other parliamentary move will not suffice
to kill it, as in the first instance. The
house will vote on the merits of the
proposition, and Colonel Livingston is
confident he can corral votes enough to
secure it's passage.