New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-03
] TRIUMPH FOR THE POSTAL SERVICE.

efGNIFICANCE OF THE ACTION CT THE HOUSE-THE
ADMINIsTR4 TON OF TIE POST OFFICE DEPART
MENT SAID TO DE FFICiENT AND HONEST
[DY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l
WASHINGTON. April 2.-After a struggle which
has lasted three days the House Committee OH APP
preparations suffered defeat this afternoon on the
final vote on the Star Route Deficiency bill. The
vote to concur in the Senate amendments to the
bill was 81 AGAINST concurrence, SO. This was in
! the face of unanimous recommendation by the
Appropria tons Committee that the House refuse
to concur in the amendments Of the Senate. 1t is
seldom that the unanimous recommendation of q
committee is reversed by the House. but in this case
the result was not unexpected.
Ono has not to seek far to find the causes. In the
first place the influence Of all the Western and
southwestern members was exerted against any at
tempt to cripple the star Mail Service which is the
chief dependence of the settlers for their mail
facilities. Then there are great many members,
not from the West, who are opposed TO the cutting
off of any mail privileges which the people of any
part of the country enjoy.
Another reason was the bad management of Mr..
Blackburn, who has charge Of tile bill. MT.
Blackburn has an unhappy knack OF always
saying the wrong thing and at the wrong
tins In his long speech on Wednesday he was
even more offensive than usual The epithet mud
sill which he applied to the Assistant Postmaster
General, while it was entirely characteristic of Mr.,
Blackburn, and while he enjoyed using it, was. to
say the least, unfortunate aud it was bitterly re-
sented by a number of Northern men. Then Mr..
Biackburn's exhibition of plantation manners
toward Mr.. Haskell. of Kansas. did not help him or
his cause More than this, a good many members
OF the House take everything that the Kentucky
statesman says with great many grains of allow
a1ce; and therefore his frothy and violent denun-
cjat;ons of the Post Office Department produced
little effect upon the House. This morning,
when Mr.. Cannon. of Illinois, made his speech on
the same side, it was found that his statement
differed in some essential particulars from that of
Mr.. Blackburn. Mr. Cannon was very severe upon
General Brady's management, and his evident sim
cerity and earnestncss produced considerable
effect.
For debate not of partisan character. the dis
cussion during the past three days has been very
acrimonious The testimony taken by the Commit
toe on Appropriations has been constantly quoted,
althousA ohe investigation set foot by that
mittee is not vet completed and far 1t has adj
vanced it does not appear to justify any accusation
of dishonest management against the Post Office |
Department. 1t is true that members of the COM |
mittee place different construction upon the law
from that which has been adopted by the Depart |
raent. 1t may be true that the Department has not
always used its discretion wisely, but beyond this
the testimony does authorize the committee to CO.
The bill as passed does not appropriate much |
money as the Post Office Department asked for. but
th1 sum allowed will. il IS thought. DO sufficient to
keep mp the service a fair basis until the end OF !
The fiscal year. The fight Will, however probably be |
renewed when the regular Post Office Appropra ion
bill for next year up for consideration. |
1t ought to be explained thatthIs fight is not waced
neainst certain routes. from &c ~ 100 I'm number.
desc routes are in the hands of few contractors
hey are long and the contracts large. The
tractors are reported to be men of wealth. and it is
asserted that their contracts are very profitable. 1t
appears to have suddenly occurred to q number Of |
patriotic that these particular contractors are
making too much money and that their profits
ought either to be reduced or distributed more
widely 1t appears. too. that some OF the Demo-
crats expect TO make capital out Of this fight to
nithe next political campaign. Thus far neither Of
these objects has been attained.
The Republicans, and OF the Democratic
members OF the House and of tho Appropriations
WHO have sought to curtaIl the power
,f the Post Office Department. and to annu some
Il the contracts already in existence, have undoubt
,dN been inspired by the conviction that abuses
caily exist and ought to be corrected. A majority
#. both branches of Congress- however, hold tho |
lIsnOn that the administration OF the Department |
las been Efficient honest and wise, and that 10
,ugit to be sustained. The vote of tho House to- |
iay signifies that. if anything 1t is quite probable
hat the discussions and Investigation will lead TO
,onIe amendment of the present law, which confers
T.sry extensive discretionary powers upon the Post
toaI Ilan.ar /.