Daily globe., 1882-02-05
OUR REPRESENTATIVES.
Debate on the Postoffica Appropriation
Bill-Railroad Transpor tation the Chief
Item Discussed-The ST. Louis Bridge
Item Cut Down TwO-thirds.

Debate on the POstOmca appropriation
Bill-Railroad Transportati the Chief
Item Discussed-The st. Louis Bridge
Item Cut Down TwO-thirds.
WASHINGTON, Feb. A resolution was
adopted to pay ex-Sergeant-at-Arms Thomp'
son $4,000 for expenses incurred in connection
with the obsequies of the late President Gar
field.
Nr. Rice, from the committee on foreign
affairs, reported joint resolution requesting
the president to give notice to Great Britain
of the termination of certain provisions of the
treaty of Washington relative to fish lines or
derad printed.
nous consent the house proceeded to the con-
sideration of the bill reported from the post
office committee, authorizing the Postmaster
General to adjust claims of postmasters for
losses of stamps, money order funds, ETC., by
burglary, re, or other unavoidable calamity.
After much noise and confusion, the bill, not
being printed, was postponed until Wednes-
day. The house then went into committee of
the whole, Mr.. Calkins in the
chair, On the appropriation bill. The
question was on the item of $2,900,0 900
for letter carriers and on various amendments
pending thereto. Finally it was adopted in
this shape, ''under amendments offered by
bingham and Cameron for payment to letter
carriers and incidental expenses of free deliv-
cry system $4,000, 600, 100000 of which may
be used for the establishment of free delivery
system where it is not now established y
The item for the railroad transportation
haYing been reached, Springer made the point
of order on the provision in it authorizing the
annual expenditure of S25, 1000 for special rail-
road service across the st. Louis bridge. He
insisted that $25, 900 was an exorbitant allow
ance for such service, and that it should be let
to the lowest bidder, whether by rail, or steam
boat, or horse train.
After quite sharp debate the chairman
overruled the point of order
Mr.. Springer appealed from the decision and
the appeal was discussed at considerable
length. Finally the question was submitted
to the committee and the decision OF the chair
sustained, 100 to ~.
Mr.. Hewitt moved to strike out the clause
as to the st. Lonis bridge and substitute for il
clause that the compensation shall be COM
puted at rates prescribed in the act of March
3, 1878, authorizing the construction OF the
bridge. The substitute was agreed to, 1O2 to
2. The effect will be to reduce the compensa'
tion to $4,000.
Robertson offered an amendment authoriz-
ing the postmaster general to require mail to
be carried by fastest train without extra
charge.
Mr.. Cannon offered as substitute provi.
sion that whenever any railroad company shall
fail or refuse to carry mails ON its fast trains
its compensation shall be reduced 50 per cert,
Mr.. Holman offered an amendment to sub
etitute for reduction of so per cent. of compen'
sation in case of land land grant railways.
Mr.. Haskell and Connor represented thai
Holman's amendment would be to the disad
vantage of the small land grant roads, while
{off Of oil no
whose compensation for carrying mails is de-
tanned by the government for a sinking
fund
Without action on any pending amend
ments the COMMITTEES rose aud the house adj
journed.