The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1882-02-09
HOUSE.

Bills were introduced proposing constitu-
tional amendment prohibiting State Legisla-
lures from voting on ratification Of constitu-
tional amendments except at the regular
session, to regulate railroad fares, to amend
the Constitution SO as to make President in
eligible for reelection, fixing the number of
Representatives in Congress at 247, repeating
all laws granting lands to certain railroads, Tor
the admission of Arizona and Idaho as States,
to remove the duty of twenty-five per cent.
dd odlorem upon newspapers, peri
odicals and magazines, and to author
ize the President to open negotiations
with the Hiwaiian Islands for the
purpose of extending the customs tariff Of the
United States to those islands. The Consular
and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill was re-
ported. 1t appropriates 81, 19S, $50, being $12,-
AS less than the amount appropriated last
year, and S116, 525 less than the estimates. A
bill was introduced defining the powers and
authorizing the appropriation Of land and ma
terial for the improvement Of the Mississippi
and its nayigable tributaries prescribing the
manner of assessing damages, and providing
punishment for acts in hindrance Of such inn
provement.
The resolution reported from the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, requesting the President to
obtain list of American citizens confined in
English prisons, was adopted. The annual
A bill was introduced by MIR. Hill reducing
the postage on letters and sealed packages to
two cents for half an ounce or under. Referred.
The Postofice Appropriation bill was consid-
cred in Committee Of the Whole. Mr.. Caswell
explained the provisions of the bill. The
amount appropriated was $43, 529, 800, only
$787, 578 Of which would come out Of the gem
eral fund in the Treasury, since the estimated
revenue of the Postoffice Department amounted
to $40, TAI, 722. The Committee on Appropria-
tions had cut down the estimates of the depart
ment in several particulars, the principal re-
duction being in the refusal to appropriate
more than $780, 900 for the purpose Of extend
ing the free letter carrier system. The depart
ment asked for $150,000. number Of
amendments were offered, and a prolonged de-
bate followed, but no definite action was taken.
Mr.. Stephens from the O. umittee on Coin
age, Weights and Measures, reported back the
following bills, which were referred to the
Committee of the Whole: To authorize a new
metric gold coin for international use, to lie
known as the Stella. To authorize the coinage
Of a goloid metric dollar, two dollar, and
fractions of a dollar, and also for the coinage
of goloid double eagle, eagle, and half eagle:
Mr.. Dunnell, from the Committee on Ways and
Means, reported q bill repeating SO much OF
section 1886 of the revised statutes as imposes
an export tax on tobacco. Referred to Com
mittee of the Whole. The postofice appro-
| priation bill was discussed in Committee Of the
Whole. Mr.. Bingham, Of Pennsylvania.
offered an amendment increasing BY $780,
| 600 the appropriation for the expenses
of the free delivery system, in appropri-
ating that amount for the extension of the sys-
tenn. He spoke in advocacy of his amendment,
| which would give q fair increase of salary tc
the auxiliary letter carriers, many Of whom re.
ceived but four hundred dollars year, and
were a hard-working class of men. Pages or
the floor of the House, the men who cleaned
the spittoons and swept the corridors Of the
Capitol, were paid more money than 407 lettel
carriers, bonded to the Government and faith
fully carrying thousands of letters day. Mr.
Lord, of Michigan, advocated such an increase
of the appropriation as would permit the com,
pensation of the letter carriers to be raised
The proposition made fixes the amount Of the
appropriation for the extension Of the free de
livery system at S55, 900 and S15, 600, but pend
ing vote the committee rose and the House
adjourned.
In the Committee Of the Whole on the priv
ste calendar, the bill releasing the PhiladelPhil