National Republican., 1882-12-15
RAILWAY LAND PATENTS.

DuU ulu nOu lllllSu lIo COuSluOldulDu DSlolS
journment.
RAILWAY LAND PATENTS.
Mr.. Pound, chairman of the committee on
public lands, reported back the resolution call
ing on the secretary of the interior for infor-
nation as to whether any of the lands hereto
fore granted by congress to any railway COM
pany to aid in the construction of its road
and to which such company was not entitled
to patents at the time that the period expired
within which such road was required to be
completed, have been patented to such COM
pany since the expiration of that period, and
by whose authority such patents were issued.
Adopted.
FAILURES OF MAIL CONTRACTORS.
Mr.. Upson offered resolution calling on
the postmaster general to report all failures to
carry out or comply with contracts for carry
ing the United States mails since the 1st of
January, 1882, the names of the falling con-
tractors, and to furnish information on the
subject. Referred.
PETITION OF TOBACCO MANUFACTURERS.
Mr.. Lord presented the petition of tobacco
manufacturers of Detroit asking for speedy
settlement on the tax question. Referred.
RIGHT OF WAY.
Mr.. Converse introduced q bill granting the
right of way to the Columbus and Eastern
railway company through the Columbus bar
racks grounds. Referred.
THE PosT-oFTIcE BILL.
| Mr.. Caswell moved that the House go into
committee of the whole for the consideration
of the post-oflice appropriation bill.
| This motion was antagonized by Mr.. Kas-
| son, of Iowa, who desired the call up the
civil-servce reform bill, and by Mr. Kelley,
of Pennsylvania who advocated the consid-
Grafton of the special orders, namely, bills
pertaining to the administration of the tax
| laws.
He stated that while these bills could be
disposed of in two hours they were of great
Importance to the Treasury department.
Mr.. Kasson thought that the civil service
measure should be considered now while there
were four appropriations passed by the house
and unacted upon by the senate. 1t would
become more and more difficult to secure con-
| sderaton of it as time went on
Mr. Caswells motion was, however, car
ried-130 to 26, and at 1890 the house went
into committee of the whole (Mr. Calkins, of
Indiana, in the chair, on the post-oftice ap-
preparation bill.
Mr.. Caswell explained in detail the pro-
visions of the bill. The total amount appro-
priated was $l3,9iS52O, being $2,792, 59l less
than the estimates and $685., $50 less than the
appropriations for the current year. The
compensation of postmasters, S9,250000, is
appropriated, or $S5l,000 less than the esti-
| mates.
Mr. Blount inquired whether the amount
| appropriated was sufficient; if so, he was sat
isfied but if the reduction was made in order
to give the bill the appearance of being an
economical measure, he would like to see that
understood.
Mr.. Caswell. The whole question is based
on the reduction of the revenues by reason o.
the reduction of postage from three to tive
cents.
Mr.. Robinson, of Massachusetts,, inquired
whether there was any provision in the bill
for special mail facilities.
Mr.. Caswell replied in the negative. At thu
last session there was an effort to make facili
ties equal throughout the country, and S6O0,OO'
was appropriated for that purpose.
The postmaster general had been unable
with that sum to obtain mail facilities eX
tending from New York to the West and hat
been able only to eXpend 4lSi,OO0 for tine pur
pose of extending mail facilities from New
York to Albany, from New York to New Eng
land, and from Boston down the sea coast.
Mr.. Robinson. Why should not that be con
Mr.. Caswell For this reason, that should we an
propriate $4,000 for the continuation of thest
special facilities, II will be construed by the de
partment as being fol- the express purpose of con
tinuing that service and none other.
Mr.. Robinson To which there is no objection
Mr.. Cnswell. TO which there is no objection. bu
this, that large portion Of the country think
that IL is entitled to special facilities aud uules
they can be made equal sec no prospect Of thei
being continued
Mr.. Blackburn contended that the appro
priation for special facilities was expended il
three lines of railways in one section of thu
country. 1t was "slush " fund over which
congress could not possibly have any control
Mr.. McNlillin called attention to the fact thai
the appropriations for the "star" service hat
been cut down to the extent of$2,OO0,00O from
the blk of last year. Either that bill hat
been recklessly extravagant, or the presen
one reprehensibly parsimonious.
Mr.. Caswelf said that the cost of the "star
service under existing contracts was "a, ,756, 900