THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
On motion by Mr. WOLCOTT, the general appropriation bill [H. R. 309] was taken up, and the refusal of the House of Representatives to concur in the Senate amendment striking out the appropriation of $1,500 for the military claim agency being read-
Mr. ARMSTRONG moved that the Senate recede from its amendment.
The motion was agreed to by yeas 20, nays 16.
The refusal of the House of Representatives to concur in the Senate amendment increasing the appropriation for the House of Refuge from $20,000 to $30,000 being read-
Mr. FISHER thought it ridiculous to appropriate fifty thousand dollars for additional buildings and then not make provision to occupy them when completed. Unless this appropriation is made for the support of the inmates the fifty thousand dollars appropriated for buildings should' not be made. As he understood it, that fifty thousand dollar appropriation has been agreed to by both houses.
Mr. BRADLEY. Inasmuch as we have $50,000 to put up these buildings, the Senate ought to insist on the amendment, or the buildings will lie idle until a future Legislature convenes.
Mr. SCOTT did not believe the new building would be finished before the next session of the Legislature, one year from next January, and that being the case there is no need of making this additional appropriation this session.
Mr. CRAVENS was inclined to think such institutions were profitable, as a general rule, and that being so, it is more than probable that the $20,000 appropriated for 1870 will be more than ample.
Mr. FOSDICK thought there was not: much probability that the buildings could: be completed before the next session, and for this reason should vote in favor of receding from the Senate amendment.
Mr. HOOPER believed this appropriation to be necessary. This institution is in its infancy, and much of the labor of these boys will be applied to carying on the improvements, as most of their labor heretofore has been in that direction. The building will be ready for occupancy unquestionably before the next regular session; and we ought to make a provision by which the building may be used as soon as completed.
Mr. KINLEY was satisfied that this institution has not asked for an unreasonable amount. We should reflect that crime inconstantly on the increase, and that the object of this institution is to take boys who have learned crime in the streets and take, care of them and make useful citizens of them.
Mr. HANNA having moved to recede from the Senate amendment-
Mr. ROBINSON, of Decatur, demanded the previous question.
The Senate seconded the demand, and" under the operations of the previous question-
The motion to recede was agreed to by yeas 26, nays 11.
