Daily globe., 1879-06-08
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS .

Brief Debate on the POstOfice ApprOpria-
ton Bill-The Measure Passed After Op
3 position from the Republican Side.
WAsH1 NaroN, June THE committee on ju-
5iciary reported joint resolution legalizing
the action of the President and secretary of
war IN sending rations and tents to yellow fever
sufferers. Passed.
Mr.. Newbury asked leave to offer q resolu-
tipn authorizing the secretary Of war to con-
vene a board of officers and engineers of the
army, whose duty it shall be to report whether
for railroad purposes Detroit river can be
bridged at or near Detroit.
Mr.. Finley objected.
The House then went into committee of the
whole, Mr.. Reagan in the chair, on the bill
making additional appropriations for the post
Office department.. 19aa
Mr.. Ward opposed the bill and advocated
the retention Of legislation passed in February
last increasing the salaries of letter carriers.
Mr.. Bingham also opposed the bill. It would
be cruel and severe enactment on carriers in
first class cities, who did 5 per cent. more work
than carriers in second class cities. In regard
to the free delivery system he thought it a good
privilege, which should be generously ex-
tended.
K The bill was then read by sections. ,!
Mr. Mills moved to strike out the third sec
tion which provides that letter carriers may be
employed when necessary for free delivery of
mail matter in any city containing a popula-
tion of not less than 10000. Agreed to.
The reading of the bill having been con-
cluded, Mr.. Kiefer offered as substitute for
the bill, an amendment appropriating in ad-
dition to the amount heretofore appropriated,
1858, 600 for the payment of letter carriers for
the fiscal year ending June, 1880, and $4,000
for payment as increased salaries of letter
carriers for the fiscal year ending june 1879.
Mr. Hoxrv %1; kI,nc
from 1858, 1000 to $415,OO0.
Mr.. Baker opposed the substitute, and ad-
vocated the original bill. Discussion was fur
ther continued by Messrs. Stone Hawley, Field
Bingham, Townshend, Qll.) Baker, Ind and
McCook. The character of the discussion was
chiefly as to the reasons why letter carriers in
great cities should have higher rate of COM
pensation than those in small cities, the points
affirmative being the heavier quantity Of work
performed by the former and the greater cost
of living in larger cities. Finally vote was
taken on the amendment of Mr.. Cox, increas-
ing the appropriation from $685. 600 to $4l5,-
600, and it was agreed to.
Mr.. Young moved to add a proviso that there
shall be no differencein classification or pay of
letter carriers in any part of the United States,
but they shall all receive salary of $3.50.
Mr.. Conger made point of order that the
amendment changed the existing law. The
chairman overruled the point of order on the
ground tnat the amendment looked to reduc-
tion of expenditures. @
Mr.. Cannon referred to Cox as the father of
the rule which he now sought to avoid, and
said that now that gentleman turned around
and made faces at his own progeny. He ad-
mitted thatithe rule in question had been con-
ceived in sin, and brought forth in iniquity for
the purpose of demogoguery and partisanship,
but he thought that the Democrats had not the
right to make faces at their own offspring.
Mr.. Townshend Qll)-Was not that rule
originally adopted by the Representatives? r
Cannon-Oh, no; it was begotten by Cox,
Qaughter) and its birth was presided over by
the gentleman from Pennsylvania, the present
! speaker IF the House; it came into the world
scarce half made up and that so lamely and
unfashionably that its Democratic authors now
get up and make faces at it, Naughter.)
Mr.. Young withdrew his amendment with the
understanding that the effect of it would be tc
increase the expenditure. ~
The committee then rose and the bill was
reported to the House.
Mr.. Keifer's substitute, as modified by thu
Cox amendment, was then adopted, yeas ia
nays 8. ~ '7i2
Mr. Sanford moved to lay the bill on tht
table. Defeated, yeas &c. nays 118. The bill
| then passed, and the House adjourned unit
Monday. l