The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-03-02
Star Service.
Feb. &c

Ing the remainder of the current fiscal year
was substantially a victory for the Western
and members, and a defeat of
the appropriation committee, the latter bring
ing in their substitute bill towards the close
OF the proceedings only when they perceived
that the opposition to their original measure
had gained too great strength to be any longer
resisted. The opposition was directed mainly
against the proviso of the bill by which the
committee attempted to reduce the services to
the terms OF the original contracts in every
case where the number of trips has been in
creased at an additional cost exceeding S., 900
per annum.
Representative Page led this opposition in
a very spirited and effective manner, his off
hand speech being not only the first but the
strongest that was made to-day OH that side
of the question. He showed that the proviso,
while leaving the mail service of the Eastern
and Southern States untouched, would di-
rectly strike down not less than one hundred
and seven important mail routes in the Pacific
States and Territories, fourteen of them being
in his W State. The ~absurdity of the five
thousand dollar limitation will be illustrated
by reference to the trunk lines between
Reading and Roseburg, and the dozen or
more side lines which feed the main route.
These side lines, coming within the five thou
sand dollar limit, would be kept up at six
trips per week, with no mail carrying more
than once a week because. the service on the
main line would, by the terms of the proviso,
be reduced to the original contract require
ment of only one trip per week. The dis
elimination and injustice of the proposition
was illustrated by reference to the fact that
the service had been increased to 10 routes in
the sixth Georgia district, represented by
Blount, who reported the bill, not one of
which would be affected by its terms. Page
also commended that the committees PROPOSE
ton to change the effect of executing the law
by means of this proviso, vas, in the absence
of any proof of fraud or violation of law on
the part of the post-oftice department, a usur-
patton of power which should be resisted on
constitutional grounds.
Representative Berry obtained the floor only
five minutes, but in that time spoke earnestly
in behalf of the maintenance of the existing
mail facilities. He described the importance
of the Reading and Roseburg route, connect.
ing the great States of California and Oregon
the mail communication between which
would be practically severed BY the passage
of the pending bill. He said it might be true
that exorbitant prices were paid by the gov.
eminent for increased service on this ant
similar routes. If So, and if fraud had beer
committed, the proper measures would b.
taken to punish all guilty persons, but the
existing mail facilities were indispensable
and should be maintained at the best rate
obtainable.
Mr.. Belford, of Colorado, also made al
effective five minutes speech in his character
Istlcally earnest style.
Mr.. Epson, of Texas, attacked the bill, AL
in view of further demonstrations of tn
committee and the opposition from Western
and South Western members, the committe
abandoned their position in regard to tn
increased service, and fell back upon a propo
sition to cut off the increased compensation
amounting to more than $4,000 per INT O
any one route for expedited service, thu
leav. ng the number of trips untouched. 1t
believed that the bill as passed by the Hous
will promptly obtain the concurrence of tn
Senate.
Washington Gossip.
CHICAGO, Feb. Z6.-The Journals Masl
ington correspondent in conversation wit
several leading Republicans ascertained tia
they are about equally divided as to whethe
the Monroe doctrine applied to the can;
proposed to be constructed by DcLessep
The committee on foreign affairs of the Hous
is Diced on the question, and it is manifes
lnE,
Representative Orth says that ihe maiorit
of delegates elected in Indiana yesterday al
uninstructed, but that General Grant wi
have Il very large support in the delegation
He is confident of Grants nomination.
When the bill removing the statutory di
qualifications against eN-Confederates beir
3 appointed to the army comes up again Blail
will speak arraisning the Democracy for i
attempt to honor treason.
Any port in San Domingo which the int
oceanic canal company may select will
made q free port and the government wi
furnish all storage facilities.
j, W]AsI1iNGToN,F Feb. 26.-The House cor
mittee on public lands and mines and mint
will, early next week, hold a JOINT meetil
for the consideration of the report of Il
land commissioners which has been laid b
= fore Congress-. The subject Will then,
| agreement, be divided between the two col
mittees Reconsideration and acCion upon Il
subjects pertaining to their Jurisdictions l
spectively. The questions involved a
h deemed of the greatest Importance and W
I engage the immediate att antiOn OF the col
5 mittecS.
. General Grants political friends in Was
inpton express themselves perfectly satisti
e with the action of the Utica convention III
Il withstandilg the smallness Of the MAORI
e by which his candidacy was approved,
i they say his action, being sufficient to gi
, New YOrk's seventy votes to him on the I'll
ballot at Chicago, no other ballot will
necessary to determine the choice of the co
l. ventiOn.
G Senator Blaine's friends, Oh the other han
claim that the New York victory for Grant
n like the Pennsylvania victory-somethl
n closely resembling deseat, and hat one me
such triumph will be the end Of the Ora
S boom. The result at Utica is on all han
e attributed to Senator Conkling's person
AZ, r o,1 ;,nmausa local mower. His SDpP
depicting the alleged dangers OF the politi'
n future received very general commendati
among the stalwart Republicans OF Washir
IS ton, and the prevalent opinion,' not or
among them but also among prominent De
ocrats is that he has sounded the keynote
e the so-called sectional issue for the next
n publican campaign.
IS English Affairs.