Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-06-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, June Z.
HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, June Z.
HOUSE
The Committee on Judiciary reported
the joint resolution legalizing the action
of the President and the Secretary of
War in sending ratiOns and tents to the
yellow fever sufferers. Passed.
Mr.. Newberry asked leave to offer q
resolution authorizing the Secretary of
War to convene the board of officers OF
the engineers OF the Army, whose duty
it shall be TO report whether for railroad
purposes the Detroit river can be
bridged, at or near Detroit
Mr. Finley objected.
The House then went into Commit
tee of the Whole, Mr.. Regan in the
chair, on the bill making additional APP
propriations for the PostofiiCe Depart
ment.
Mr.. Ward oppose the bill, and advO-
Gated the retention of the legislation
passed in February last, increasing the
salaries of letter carriers.
Mr.. Bingham also opposed the bill,
and said it would be cruel and severe
enactment on the carriers in first class
cities, who did so per cent more work
than the carriers in second class cities.
In regard 10 the free delivery system, he
thought it good privilege which
should be generously extended.
The bill was thon read by sections.
Mr. Mills moved to strike out the
third section, which provides that letter
carriers may be employed when neces-
sary for the free delivery OF mail matter
in any city Of population of not less
than 10000. Agreed to.
Mr.. Keifer offered as a substitute for
the bill an amendment appropriating,
in addition TO the amount heretofore
appropriated 1858, 900 for the payment
of letter carriers for the fiscal year end
ing June, 1880, and ST. 900 for the Eay-
ment of increased salaries of letter car
riers for the fiscal year ending June,
1879.
Mr.. Cox moved TO increase the appro-
priation from S353, 900 to S4l5, 900.
Mr.. Baker opposed the substitute and
advocated the original bill.
The difcussion, was further continued
by Messrs. Stone, Hawley, Field, Bing-
hain, Townsend (nL), O'Nein, Baker
Nnd. }, and McCook. The character Of
the discussion was chiefly as TO the rca-
sons why the letter carriers in great
cities should have higher rate Of COM
penSation than those in small cities, the
point in the affirmative being the
heavier quantity of work performed by
the former, and the greater cost of liv-
ing in the larger cities. Finally vote
was taken on the amendment of Cox
increasing the appropriation from $685.
600 10 S4l5, 900, and it was agreed TO.
Mr.. Young moved TO add the proviso
that there shall be no difference in the
classification or pay of letter carriers
in any part of the United States, but
that they shall receive a salary of $50.
Mr.. CongCr made the point OF order
that the amendment changed the exist
ing law.
The chairman overruled the point of
order on the ground that the amend
ment looked to the reduction of eXpendi-
lures.
Mr.. Cannon referred to Mr.. Cox as the
father of the rule which he now sought
to avoid, and said that now that gen.
tleman turned around and made faces
at his own projeny. He admitted that
the rule had been conceived in sin and
brought forth in iniquity" for the pur-
pose of demagogery and partisanship,
but he thought the Democrats had no
right to make faces at their own offspring.
Mr.. Townsend-Was not that rule
originally adopted by the Republicans
Mr., Cannon-Oh, no. 1t was begotten
by Mr.. Cox laughter and its birth was
presided over by the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, the present Speaker of
the House. 1t came into the world scarce
half made up and that so lamely and
questionable that its Democratic
authors now get up and make faces at it.
Laughter
Mr.. Young withdrew his amendment
with the understanding that the effect
Of it would be to increase the expendi-
ture.
The committee then rose and the bill
was reported to the House.
Mr.. keiier's substitute, as modified
by Mr. CoX's amendment, was then
adopted, yeas ia, nays 81.
Mr.. Sanford moved to lay the bill on
the table. Defeated, yeas 66, nays ll9.
The bill then passed and the House
adjourned until Monday.