Year: 1871




SIPPI VALLEY.


IrRoM OUR OWN CORREsPoNDRNTI


WASHINGTON, April 20.-Messrs. COburn and
Sawyer the minority of the Committee TO whom was
referred last session. the resolution in relation the
removal OF the National Capital to the Mississippi Valley
have just printed their report In which they dsse from
the recommendation Of the maorythat the resolution
lay the table To prove that the Constitution did not
give to the Ist any other Congress the power x
permanently the Capital at any point they quote from
that document, from article written by Mr.. Madison
and printed In the 4sd number OF The Federciisi !;
from the debate on the clause OF the Constitution re-
errng to this subject; from the passed by the list
and lvth Congresses establishing the present site Of the
Capital and from the acts OF cesson passed in 1888 and
1888 by the Maryland and Virginia Legislatures The
last declared that "the equal and common benefits
resulting from the administration OF the General
Government will be best diffused and It's opera
tons become more prompt and certain by establish
ing such situation for the seat OF the said Gov
ernment H be most central and eonrenient to the cit
zens OF the United States at large having regard well
TO population extent of territory and free navigation
Of the Atlantic Ocean through Chesapeake Bay. to
the most direct and ready communication with the
Western frontier" Nessrs. COburn and Sawyer then
the history and law In relation to the location
OF the Capital to argue that by the growth of
try In extent population, and business Washington has
been converted from central to border city. nc0nve
nent of to the majority Of the people, and that
every argument originally used In favor OF fixing the
seat of Government the Potomac might now, with
equal force he used against retaining 1t here. The
claims of the Mississippi Valley then detailed at
length the immense deposits OF coal In Illinois, Indiana,
and Ohio; thelenormous grain crops Of the Northwest
the great chain Of iron works (which must extend the
margin Of the Ohio River, from Pittsburgh TO Cairo"
The mountains OF iron in Missouri are all told over and
dwet upon and the assertion made that the men who
control this vast wealth. and population present
and prospective. will be satisfied with Capital
upon the border side of the real and permanent
heart of the nation.


In reply tothe question "Is there better place for
the Capital ~ the minority reply "Yes, on the banks Of
the Ohio, the Mississippi the Missouri " and add that
is the time to make and answer this inquiry before
further outays OF public money are made at Washing
There has already been expended upon the build
lngs and grounds used by the officers of the Govern
ment," continues the report, "about s23'0N,OU: Inc
other expenditures have been for the city and district
and for such general purposes as are not peculiarly
part OF the Capital such as the Navy Yard Arsenal
Insane Hospital soldiers Home snt thsonlan lnsuOn
&c The Capitol has cost about sl20O00OO the Treasury
about seOoOcOO; the building OF the department OF
Oice about s2O0OoO the building of the Agricultural
Department, about s2oOooo and the Presdents house.
Navy departments old and temporary the State De
partmen Is in rented building as are also tine 4ioes h
Bureau and several branches OF other Deafienhs m
scsH ss s Ts capo aeRs central
front the entire length Of that portion which Will



the libraries, courts and committees The Treasury
buidne does not all its clerks the srgest
bureau being In wnders block distant uncomfortable
and ncOnveDent building The Treasury building itself
l. Incomplete the long coonnade the eastern side hav
ing, some future time TO he torn away and granite
front like to he erected Mr. Mullett es-
tiinates the War and Navy Departments Will cost
Sc 100000 the Treasury extension, $O0OO TO put the
needed addition upon the Post,Ohee, sl,oVoM; ana
to build Department of Justice and supreme
Courthouse sOOO0OO Besides these the Treasury De-
partnent wants a building, which, with Its machinery
or printing notes and bonds, will cost 100000; the Pub
lie Printer desires large additions to the building III
which the printing and binding for the Government Is
done; the Presidents house is not considered good
enough 1t Is proposed to extend the Capitol grounds D


100000 and the Senate has Just put into the Deciency
AppropratiOns bill clause to provide for making granu
PARK to extend from the Capitol grounds TO the Pres
dents house. at cost of from s5OO,MO TO sOUOo In
addition to OF these expenses the District gets every
wear about half million OF the public money for I'm.
proyenens and charitable Institutions The minority OF
The Committee conclude by recommending that no more
money be at present expended for public buildings In
W. al,in nt,tnu