1298 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 
know that every Democratic newspaper will charge this amount of 
$1,200,000 to the sum total of appropriations made by Congress this 
year? Does he not know that the orators of his party will flaunt this 
from every stump as a part of the ‘‘ wasteful extravagance of a Repub- 
lican Congress ?” 
Mr. Hempniiu. Well, if any Democratic orator or Democratic 
newspaper chooses to make capital out of this, that is something they 
have a right to do, as a matter of course. But I will state here, and I 
will state anywhere, that I think it a wise and judicious expenditure, 
and in so far as my knowledge goes of the business of the District of 
Columbia I have never known money spent which, in my judgment, 
will be of more benefit to the people of the country and of the District 
than this. I believe it will save hundreds of thousands of dollars and 
give many benefits in addition. That is my honest conviction. 
Mr. Bucuanan, of New Jersey. Then I am authorized to quote 
that in opposition to such statements of Democratic orators or news- 
papers / 
Mr. Hempuity. You are, so far as I am concerned. 
Mr. C. A. Hixu. Let me ask the gentleman a question. If I remem- 
ber the reading of the report, the bill provides in substance that upon | 
making a map or plat of the proposed park and filing it of record the 
title shall pass to the United States. 
Mr. Hempuiiy. Provided the money is paid. 
Mr. Hitz. Well, it says ‘‘subject to the payment of compensation 
as hereinafter provided.” 
Mr. Hempuimt. Yes, sir; but the money must be paid before the 
title passes. Provision is made that when the hands of the Govern- 
ment is laid on the property it shall remain in sta¢w quo until the money 
is paid. 
Mr. Hitu. You do not understand, then, that it passes title before 
the compensation is made? 
Mr. Hemputiy. Not at all. On the contrary, we considered that 
fully, and were satisfied that we could not appropriate any man’s. 
property until he was paid for it. 
Mr. JosErpH D. Taytor. Let me ask the gentleman whether the 
people who are to pay the assessment levied upon their property, by 
the supposed increase of value which will accrue from this park, are 
in favor of the passage of the bill and are consenting to the proposition 
to lay out a park to take possession of a portion of their property 4 
Mr. Hempumn. Well, I do not know exactly who the owners of the 
property will be. Some are in favor of the park provided it is located 
in one place, and some are in favor of it at another place; but the 
majority have expressed no decided conviction, I think. 
Mr. JosepH D. Taytor. They have not been here protesting 
against it? 
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