National Republican., 1878-04-15

AID perfect the index to the frst volume Of
the same.
Mr.. COX sa'd that this was the anniversary
o the birth of Thomas Jefferson and he asked
that unanimous consent, as directed by the
Committee on Library, to report joint reso
luton nrpropriating 5000 for the erection Of
a monument over the grave of Jefferson at
Monticello; the money to he expended under
the direction Of the Secretary Of State. The
joint resolution also contains proviso that
the owners Of the estate shall give a quit
claim deed TO the graveyard, and shall
give the right Of way thereto.
Mr.. FOSTER said he dislikcd very much to
object to matter Of this kind. But IL we
wanted TO honor jefferson We should appro.
pirate q sufficient sum Of money to erect q
monument to him in Washington. It is dis
graceful to the State Of Virginia that JeiIcr-
sons grave shoud he in the condition in which
II Is. Better appropriate enough to put up a
monument in Washington.
Mr.. cox IN. " hoped the gentleman would
withdraw his objection. The grave Of the
third President Of the United States was in u
versary Of his birth-thev should do this small
need of honor to his memory.
Mr.. FOSTER would cheerfully vote So 900
for a monument in Washington.
Mr.. cox IN. W replied that Jefferson's re-
mains could not be brought here, and this
monument was to he over his remains. He
hoped this small appropriation would be made
to remove the disgrace Of Its present con-
dition.
Mr.. FRYE said he was great admirer Of
Jefferson. He was the author of that clause
in the constitution Of Maine which gave that
State such an admirable and perfect system Of
common schools. If Virginia had followed the
cOunsels Of Jefferson, and had taken the same
interest in tho cause of education as he did
his grave would not bo neglected to-day. He
would not. however object.
Mr.. cox would not 90 into an acrimonious
debate. We had had enough of that yesterday.
Jefferson was great lover of cducation. He
showed that by tho inscription which he di-
rected should he placed OIL his tomb.
Mr.. IlARDENBERGH said he had recently
visited Monticello. and he described the dcplor.
able condition of the place.
Mr.. FOSTER withdrew his objection. and
the joint resolution was passed unanimously.
Mr.. BACON presented resolutions Of the
Legislature Of his State urging the passage of
laws to prevent discrimination by common
carriers Referred.
On motion of Mr.. KELLEY, the Secretary
OF the Treasury was directed to give a detailed
statement of the articles enumerated in the
tariff bill now pending, and to show in parallel
columns the rates of duty now paid and the
rates of duty which would be paid under the
present BILL &c.
On motion of Mr.. KELLEY 1t was ordered
that thero he a session Of the House on Mon.
day night for the discussion of tho tariff bill
only.
ON motion Of Mr.. MILLS It was ordered
that there be sessions of the House on Wednes.
day and Thursday evenings Of next week for
consideration Of pension bills only.
II n - . = q
into Committee OF the Whole on the post-oflice
appropriation bill, Mr.. Cox IN. " in the
chair.
Mr.. BLOUNT proceeded to explain the bill
The total amount recommended by the bill was
S33, ,O9O 313, rs against S34 ,O1s,lI3, which was
appropriated for the current fiscal year, being
an actual decrease Of S9S7,T7O. The postal
service was continually Increasing one. and
vet by recommending certain changes the com.
mitteo had been able to make this reduction.
They had reached this In part by changing the
compensation Of postmasters of the fourth class
and by making reductions In the matter of in
land transportation especially by railroads,
whose charges were In many cases excessive.
No harm would result from these reductions.
Mr.. BEEBE made q comparison of salaries
paid in different offices, and argued that there
was an opportunity for retrenchment aud re-
form in this bill While he recognized tho fact
of the great Importance Of the post t-Otiice to the
people. that was no reason why tho interests Of
the people should not be vigilantly guarded.
lie complained that while retrenchmeut and
was urged in every other Depart.
ment of the Government, 1t had not been SO in
reference to this Department, where ho
thought there could be great reforms
Mr. BAKER (lnd.), referring to soms re-
marks made by Mr.. BEEBR about the postal
service in 1860, just before the war, asserted
that, taking all things into consideration, the
postal service was conducted much cheaper
now than 1t was then and ho was sure that the
postal service had never been conducted better
than for the last few years. With regard to
the present bill he approved its general iea.
lures, and, taking tho bill rs q whole, he felt
in recommending the House to sup
port it,
Mr.. CHITTENDEN thought there could be
reductions in this Department rs well "a Ia
that OF the army or navy, and he believed that
with care 1t could be placed on paying basis.
There were too many abuses and there was too
much expenditure, especially In the matter Of
Too much money was paid to
railroads. No committee of this House could
properly investigate this subject. What he
would suggest would be tho appointment OF
to sit for one year il need bo and
After full investigation TO report what meas
Ire, without detriment to the public service |
;Ould be adopted to place the postal service on
compromising basis that IL, which would
make It live within its income He took the
ground that tho Post-Otics Department could
% and must bo mado to pay its expenses. 1t
Mas better to cut down here than to reduce
alaries
Mr.. DUNNELL doubted whether the ex-
,enSe of tho Department could be reduced be-
ow what II was at present and meet the needs |
md demands of the people. Gentlemen had |
compared tho expense of the service in 1860
That was not fair comparison. Since 1850 |
IN empire had grown up in the West, The
West has been growing, il Brooklyn has not.
Mr.. TOWNSEND N. " She has and her |
expenses have grown in q corresponding de- |
,ree. His colleague (Mr. CHITTESpEN) |
wanted to make tho service sclEsustaining, as |
t was in England. lie may do that whom he |
educcs the great American empire to the area
II England, and not before. There Is not y |
erVicc where tho people can afford tho ex. |
'ense as well Us in tins. IL is q service that |
distributes knOwege, u service that makes |
'ur penp0 homogeneous, and II the Post
Dlics Department did not pay he would sleep
u well so long as lie got his mail regularly.
Mr.. CLGMER had no doubt that there werO
buses in great service like this but he de.
lied that it was ever intended to make the |
cryice self sustaining. lhs poSt-o was u |
great educator, aud all that could bs hoped to !
JC done would he to correct abuses Pending |
urther discussion the committee rOse.
MIR. SINGLETON introduced bill to ro- |
luce the expense of public printing and biud
ug. Referred.
The House then, at fifty minutes after three |
J., M, adjourned.