Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-13
s.VindfcRtiOnc OF the
Star ROufe Men.

The claim that the last Congress after ex.
aiming into the alleged star route frauds,
indicated Gen. Brady and his administration
or the service has been made again and again,
and 1t Is reiterated on every occasion. Tle
records of Congress show that on the Sth OF
December. 1879, the Postm lister General asked
for an appropriation of $4,000, 900 to cover tue
necessities OF the star service for thu present
nscaI year"-lSSO. This request was made La
accordance with report and recommendation
OF Gen. Brady. The House. during the struggle
that followed over the matter ascertained that
the actual deficiency was ST., $4,000 and not
s2,Oo0,OOO, the amount asked for. on the 26th
OF February, 1850, the House passed a deficiency
bill appropriating but 100000 to supply the
deficiency, $1,000 short Of the amount Gen
Brady insisted was absolutely necessary to the
proper continuation OF the service 1t was
ascertained that this amount would be
suf1icient to carry the service through
the year with all the expeditions" and In
creases Brady had put upon 1t. This was not
much OF a vindlcation as Brady and his friends
had made most determined and aggressive
night for the two millions and many members
who voted for the deficiency declared their dis.
approval OF the conduct OF the service which
had made 1t necessary. The Senate committee
on appropriations, after inquiry Into the whole
subject, reported b.ck an appropriation Of
S1,lO0 CO9-Still 5000 900 short OF Brady . figures
and inserted the following provision: During
the remainder OF the current Il seal year no fur
Their expediting OF service or increase OF trips
on any postal star route shall be made.'
AnoI her section appropriated 800, 900 ''to en-.
able the Postmaster General to place new
service as authorized by law; provided that the
postmaster general shall not hereafter have the
power to expedite any contract either now ex.
listing or hereafter given to rate OF pay exceed
an bn
ally let" The words ION Increase of trips" In
the first proyiso were stricken out after a long
debate, but If with the restrictions still left
Gen. Brady and his friends can find vindlcitlon
In that action they discover What others are
unable to see. on the motion OF Senator Conk-
ling another section was added 60 the Dill as
follows.
That nothing contatne1 In this act shall be
deemed or construed 10 affect the validity On
legality OF the act or omission OF any oil 5er OF
the United states, or TO AFFECT any proceedings
therefor.
In support OF this Mr.. Conkltng SAID:
81 believe that there has been q great deal
touching the star service, so-caiied, which does
Lot seem wholesome to people quite as dis
terminating as we are, ana who know quite as
myself with number OF upright and discern
Ing persons, who, with pretty large knoWl-
edge OF what has been done in this regard dis
approve very much OF It. Therefore, think 1t
not unreasonable that, In voting this oed-
cheney, we should abstain from Compile iting
ourselves at all with questions with which we
have no practical concern at present I snall
vote for the bill With much more Satisfaction
With such an amendment as have sugge.t ed,u
The bill as thus amended was passed almost
unanimously By the Senate, and su5sequen tly
CONQUERED IL by the House. Senators and Rec
reSentattve5 who voted for It condemned the
''extrayagance" OF the department In their
speeches. The sum OF 100000 less than Brady
insisted was absolutely necessary was allowed,
and yet this action of Congress IS set before the
people as vindication.