Mr. J.HUMPHREY. I rise to oppose the motion to strike out this item. In rerd to this property there are certain reasons WE; it should not be stricken out, and I think they ought to be conclusive. I have examined the property and thoroughly understand its It is a piece of i property which it is of the utmost importance that the Government should he possessed of. It is now underlcase. The former owner of the property bought from the State of NewYork, a grant to build out 700 feet into i the channel. After the work commenced. the Government obtained a preliminary injunction. That suit is now in progress, and it is doubtful how it may terminate. If it should terminate in favor of the former owner or his estatefor he is now deceased, and his heirs are carrying on the litigationit would almost entirely destroy the yard. At the time that Mr. Ruggles, the former owner. lived, holding this claim, he asked the General Government something like 4 or 500,000 dollars for the 1 property. Since his death his heirs have a eed that they would sell it at an appraisal which was made at $90,000, provided an appropriation was made for it during the present session of Congress. That also terminates the law suit. The property itself contains a rtion of the very best waterfront on the ya. It is worth more than the $00,000 asked for it. The gas houses adjoining it will give more than that if this appropriation is not made, and there is thus a lorfeiture of the contract. Now, if this sort of economy, which is held out in the House by the gentlemen from Illinois f Mr. WASHBursxn] and others, is to prevail, this appropriation may be stricken out; but it is a sort of economy which negentleman will practice in his private ntfairs, and no man of business in any matter of which he has charge. The report made by Admiral Smithif I had time I would like to read itcontained in the report of the SecyNavy, as well as that of the chief paymaster of the Navy, who is now using these buildings, states that this property is very necessary to the navyyard. Now, if this item is stricken out, the property will pass from the possession of the U.S. Government, and it will prove a detriment to the yard of more than ten times the amount of the appropriation proposed.