The New York herald., 1878-03-14
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.

WAsufSGr0S. March l3, 1878.
Mr. scnLEcuER, OF Toxas Chairman OF tho Com nit
tee Railways and Canals, submitted n report upon
the bill providing tor cheap transportation between
the Atlantic Ocean and the OHIO Valley Ordered to
bo printed and recommittod.
TIE DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATION BILL.
The HOUSE then, at quarter past twelve O'Clock p
~, went into Committee Of the whoio (Mr Cox,
OF New York, in the chair, the Diplomatic Appro-
priaton bill.
The committee having proceeded to the consdera.
ton OF the bill by sections, Sir. Halo, OF Me- moved
10 Increase the salaries Of tho Ministers to Great
Britain, France, Germany and Russia TO SIT 500
stead OF fixing them at ST., 900 contom plated by
the bill He was conndent that the senate would not
agree 10 the reduction, and there was ia gong
over the old dght with that body which had been
fought year ago.
Mr. BLovsr, ldeml Ga, defended tho reduction
slad 10 zee Inc tina come when the government
could get rid oil nearly all OF its diplomatic agents. be-
cause there was occasion tor them. THIS govern.
mcnt should not initiate royalty IN the matter OF
Minister'S salaries.
Mr. REED, (rep.) OF Me-, supported the ame dIuent
The small salaries would make impossible tor poor
mon to take the positions OF diplomatic agents
Mr. sINaLEroN dom OF Miss, opposed The amend
tho United Satcs should not initiate the methods OF
royalty This was republc and there could DO found
numbers OF poor men here who would be glad 10 take
the positions at the reduced salaries.
MI Fosrkk, trep) OF Ohio, thought that the diplo-
matte sorvice was 70 great extent, ornamental but
II existed, und whic did exist II was the duty OF the
House 10 make such appropriations would maintain
II in dccency. In regard 20 tho consular service no
IN favor OF increasing wherever by dong the
growth oi foreign trade could be increased.
PAYMENT or NAIL CONTRACTORS.
sont made an explanation on the subject OF the pro-
posed payment oil mail route contractors ia the Con-
icdcratc states Tor services rendered previous TO tho
tract from his nrst report Postinas Gc cuera OF
the Confedcracy. Tho object OF the reading was TO
show that he had been correct in stating that no had
Us Postmaster General. directed mail contractors to
CONTINUE thor service under contract with tho
United Statos, and directed posmasers to turn over
their postage stamps and money TO the United States
before the control OF the service assumed by the
Conicderacy. He confessed TO having forgotten The
subsequent legislation the subject. He hoped that
the House woula not consider tnat nc had been deal
Ing uuiariy or dsinscnuously with IT,
Mr. ATKINS then procceaed to argue against Mr..
Hales amIcndment increasing tho preparation Tor
Inc Iour principal mssious TO Europe
MI LurTEEL, (dew.) OF Cal stated that most of the
making quarterly reports. In 1870 the number OF
emigrants from Hong Kong had boon about 5000,
amounted to $4,000, whereas tho consul al Thai
port had accounted tor but $1,000
A vote was then taken on Mr. HaIe's amendment
and IL was rcJccted-ss TO 1l0
A LETTER MR.. cox.
Mr. HUMPHREY rep OF VIA. sent TO the Clerks desk
to have road the letter of Mr.. Cox OF Now York re.
commencing icoree II. Butter 10 postmaster at tho
Black Hills
MIR. HEWITT (dcp.) Of N. r., raised the point OF
order tbat tue paper was not pertaining TO tho bill
under consideration aud II was not In order 10 have
read.
Amid much laughter, the Chairman (sir. Cox, Of
Now YORK; stated that under the circumstances he
would overruc the point OF order aud letter
read, but at the end oil tho roading Nr Humphreys
timc having expired, lie had not mo opportunity
speak upon the letter.
The paragraph having been reached which fixes the
salaries OF tue Ministers TO spain, austria Italy, Bra
zi, Mexico japan and China NJ $4,000,
Mr. MAYnAM (dem.) OF n. Y, moved to amend ny
providing that before such salary be paid to MIN
aer IA no fort Eau nj Cana nj m
shAnghau the secretary OF tho Treasury snail cause
ms accounts as snch Consul General to DO carefully
Investigated, and that nli moneys received by HIM and
not paid Into tho Ircasury shall be deducted from
salary
Mr.. HALE, OF Maine, made tho point Of order that
the amendment was new iegislaron.