Evening star., 1933-02-12
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

"The end of the Forty-seventh Cons
gress is near at hand and the fti@N
Still Hope for a dation Of the
Library Building. f,Srary \ resSaona. Tssoalna
unprovided for says The Star Of
February S, 1883. 1.-THE project Of
erecting a building in size and style Of
architecture suitable for housing a ra@
tional library and to be in all its
features representative OF this great
and growing Nation met with almost
universal approval. 1t Is admitted on
all hands that the material of the
Library as at present situated and In
its over-crowded condition Is restricted
and narrow in comparison with tha
great benefit it might be to the
country. It Is like hiding light under
bushel. The failure hitherto on the
part of Congress to provide suitable
accommodation for the Library and ex-
tend its uses and benefits has not been
owing to want of appreciation of thu
Importance Of such action. The minor
question Of site for the proposed
building has arisen as an obstacle I'd
the much-needed legislation whenever
the subject has been brought before
Congress. This question has been In.
terposed to delay action during the
present Congress, but the indications
now are that it could be settled satis-
factorily If the two houses would each
pass a Library bill and send the ques-
ton of such differences as may exist
between them to a committee of con-
ference. The House has declared
against the location of the proposed
building on the squares Immediately
east Of the Capitol. and in favor Of
placing it upon a Government reserva-
ton. In the Senate the earnest adyo-
Gates Of a Library building express q
willingness to forego any preconceived
opinion with regard to a site in order
to accomplish the greater and more
important purpose Of procuring build
ing. One determined effort will, unless
appearances are very deceptive, in be-
half Of the National Library meet with
success, notwithstanding the press Of
important business. And in legislating
upon this subject Congress should re-
member that the people are willing to
pay for building that will be a credit
to the Nation as one of its permanent.
most useful and most prominent insti-
tutions."
4 X
The following item in The Star of
February 10, 1883, revives recollection
IT, o:,4 Of one of the most
Aoin ocnlItIee picturesque figures
Pay Problem. eSaI coneresii sn own In
"An interesting legal question is
likely to arise in regard to levying
upon the pay of member Of Congress
In satisfaction of Judgment of the
Government. 1t seems that Tom Ochil-
free Whn has hAan a1ortad 70
eighth Congress from Texas, was a
United States marshal under Grant
and was short in his accounts about
$4,000. Suit was brought by, the Gov
ernment to recover the money and r
three years ago judgment was obtained
for the full amount, which, with the
interest, amounts to something like
$4,000. This has never been paid.
Since his election to Congress the
question has been raised relative to the
Government levying upon his pay, and
about week ago Mr.. Ochiltree SUBJ
mitted a proposition to the solicitor of
the Treasury to compromise this claim.
In his statement Mr.. Ochiltree states
that he Is q poor man; that the money
was taken by subordinates by no fault
OF MS, and that ne never enjoyed the
benefit OF it. and on these grounds he
offers to compromise by the payment of
5000. The proposition has been sent
to District Attorney Goodrich at Gall
weston, Tex, for his report as to tina
facts OF the case. III the event of the
SOLICITOR OF the Treasury refusing In
compromise the matter, the first con-
troiier VIII be called upon to decide the
quesIon as to whether Mr.. Ochiltree,s
pay as member Of Congress can be at
tacned. This is the first case of the
KIND that has arisen, and 1t is excitinc
considerable interest" 'iiis
me salary of member of Congress-
se oo years ago was $1,000 a year. SO that
"a the event of levy upon his nav
, Soi' Ocniltree would have drawn Moth.
ing Ior ms entire term as a men,ber
- ~ .ne House and still have been ~
'esss SS'ooo In debt to the Government.