The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-01-27
Saturdays Dispatches.
XIV CONGRE ESS.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Soon after as
sembiing the House went into Commit
tee of the Whole on the postoffce appro-
priatiou bill. and Mr. Bouut explained its
provisions. 1t appropriates $34,69O,00O,
a decrease of about $4,000, 900 from the
estimates, and aD increase OF 81 100000
over the appropriations of last year. But
for the legislation of the Democratic House
the last three years, the appropriation this
year would have been a, least $3,0OO,000
larger than it was.
Mr. Baker IND. J. said last year he pre-
dicted when the postoffce bill was before
the House that the appropriation was in-
sufficient, and would end in deficiencies.
That prediction had come true, and with
equal certainty the same prediction might
be made about the present bill. Any at
tempt to cripple the Railway Mail service,
or Star service, was a crime against the
country.
The bill was then read by sections for
amendments.
Mr.. Blount moved to increase the appro-
priation for the postofice clerks from So
400 900 to $3,5l5, 900,
MIR, Baker, (Ind) offered an amend
ment to the amendment increasing the
sum to the $3,6OO,O00 asked for in the es-
innate.
Agreed to and the amendment SIS amend
ed adopted
Mr. Page offered an amendment increas-
ing the appropriation for letter carriers
from $l,9O6, 900 to $2,000,000, the amount
of the estimate.
Messrs Townsend Ohio and Harrison
supported the amendment, asserting that
the free delivery system was not only self
sustaining but brought large revenue
into the treasury.
Mr.. Blount opposed the amendment
saying there were only four cities where
the free delivery system brought any reve.
nue.
After further discussion the amendment
was agreed to 78 to69.
Mr.. Waddell offered an amendment d.
| recting the post Office employees on railways
| who cancel STAMPS, to keep account of the
stamps so cancelled, the same to be credited
| to the postmaster at the station where tht
mail was put on the cars, for the purpose
of fixing basis for the pay oi such post
masters. Adopted
! Mr. Money offered an amendment in
creasiug the appropriation for tTausporta
ton on star routes from $5,690,Q0O 20 So
i 100000
Mr.. Blount called attention :oihe fac
that during the last eight years the Repub
licaus he'd control OF the House they ha
only made an annual increase of $50
900 10 the matter of star service, Will
since the Democrats had obtained contrt
they had added some $4,000,
Mr.. Fem advocated the amandment,an
mentioned the case Of populous minin
settlement in Idaho, where miners had I
contribute $50 month in order to get the
mail.
Mr.. Chalmers characterized the econom
of bis own side of the House as parslmon.
{ 1t reminded him of a mau coming hon
from his own luxurious club and fudir
. fault with his wife for having two caDdl
burning. 1t was talow candle retrencl
,, ment.
Messrs. Durham and Blount defend'
j.. the position taken by the Committee {
Appropriations, and argued that the sun
= recommended for railroad service and f
= Star service were liberal and ample.
After further discussion Mr.. Money
:. amendment increasing the appropriate
y tor Star service to $5, 100000 was adopte
The committee rose and the House a
= . iourned.