National Republican., 1883-03-03

cred by the postofice committee as the best
and fairest proposition which could be drawn
with view Of adjusting salaries. The bill
retained tho present classification Of post
masters AS TO the first class of postmasters
the bill carried $4,000 additional oompensa-
tion. The salary Of the postmasters Of st.
Louis, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, was
increased from 1000 to $4,000, and at Cincin-
NATL Baltimore, San Francisco, and Wash
ington, from $4,000 to 5000. The compen-
sation to second and third class postmasters
remained as at present
The rate of commission granted TO fourth
classpostmasters had been changed so that
they would receive about the same compen-
sation under the two cent law as they
did under the three cent law.
Mr.. Mcmillan said that it looked as IL there
was aedisposition. TO keep up deficiencies for
noxt year First the postage was reduced,
and now Il was proposed TO increase largely
the salaries Of first class postmastors.
Mr.. Holman opposed the bill as unnecessary.
Congress would meet two months after the two
cent rate went into operation, and If IL were
found that the reduction injuriously affected
any class of officers congress could easily
remedy the injustice.
The motion was agreed, to-152 TO Gland
the bill passed.
Mr.. Flower moved to suspend the rules and
pass joint resolution proposing a consti-
tutiOnal amendment granting to the prcsi-
dent power TO veto specific items In bills maxi
ing appropriation of money, while approving
of the remaining items in such bills Lost
10l to 59-not the necessary two-thirds in the
affirmative.
Mr.. Butterworth moved to suspend the
rules and pass tho bill to authorize the South
ern Pacific and other railway companies TO
unite and consolidate so as to form continu-
Gus limo Of railway from the tidal waters of
the Pacific ocean TO the Gulf of Mexico.
nnN rN1, pIas,, al has Nhn
simply authorized the consolidation Of nine
roads to form continuous line from the Pa
cifc TO the Gulf of Mexico. In order TO meet
every objection, the bill had been amended in
many particulars. No authority was given TO
the consolidation road to operate branches or
spurs, and n provision had been inserted pro-
hibiting the consolidation of any parallel or
competing line There was also provision
that nothing in the act should be construed to
relieve any of the companies from the con-
sequences Of any failure to perform any act
required by any law or by any provision in
their charters nor should anything be con-
strued to revive or confirm any land grants to
any railway company whether made by the
United States or by any state. The bill also
protected the states and their citizens in con-
troversios which arose with any of the con-
solidated companies. Nor did the act deprive
the court of any state of jurisdiction over con-
troversies between the companies and the
citizen ofsuch state, nor extend the jurisdic-
tion Of the United States courts over those
controversies.
Mr.. Hammond, Of Georgia, said that the
government had no interest in this matter.
The consolidation was simply for the benefit
of private persons and private stockholders.
He was opposed to IL.
Mr.. Dunn antagonised the bill, which had
not been considered by any committee and
one half of which was in manuscript.
ful nff oh
inson of Massachusetts, and Holman of In
diana, opposed the bill as being too important
to be passed at this late day of the session.
The motion was lOst-yeas 81, nays 12S.
Mr.. Curtin moved to suspend the rules and
concur in senate amendments to the bill in
Creasing the pensions Of soldiers and sailors
who have lost an arm or leg in the service.
Agreed to.
The house then proceeded to the consider
alton Of the Scssinghaus-F Frost contested
election case from the third Missouri con-
gressional district.
After discussion, and without action, the
matter went over.
On motion of Mr.. Strait the senate bill was
pessed in relation TO certain fees allowed reg
listers and receivers. 1t provides that the
fees allowed registers and receivers for testi-
mony reduced by them to writing for claim
ants in establishing pre-emption and home
stead rights and mineral entries shall not be
considered or taken into account in deter
mining the maximum of compensation Of said
officers.
The speaker laid before the house COM
INJUNCTION from the secretary of the navy,
transmitting the report Of the court Of in
quiry into the loss of the Jeanette. Re-
forred.
At $50 the house took recess until 7:30
p. IN.
EVENING SESSION.
In the evening session the Frost-Sossing-
haus contested election case was resumed,
Frost occupying half an hour in defense of
his right 10 retain the seat. He said that he
knew that the fiat had gone forth and that
his head was in the hangman's moose. He
was ready to step out, under the Judgment
of PARTISAN tribunal, but he would be fol-
lowed in two days by the speaker and his
party who had been condemned by the people.
After further debate the resolution declar-
ing Sessinghaus entitled to the seat was
adopted, 126 to 40. Sessinghaus was then
sworn in, taking the ironclad oath,
Mr.. Cannon made the conference report on
the legislative appropriation bill, The bill as
agreed to in conference appropriates $40, ,i6l-
296.
Mr.. Atkins said ho had not signed
the report because the amendment of
the house reducing the number of internal
revenue collectors had been abandoned.
|
| 1l0.
Mr., Robson, at 10 p, m made the confer
! ence report on tho naval appropriation bill.
The report strikes out the provisions of the
bill relative to vacancies in the pay corps,
! the promotion to tho rank of rear admiral,
and the abolition of the grade of commodore.
! Repairs of engines and machinery arc not to
exceed 90 per cont, of the cost of new ones.
| If any of the steel cruisers are built by con-
| tract the contracts are to be made with the
| lowest and best responsible bidders. The bill
appropriates $15,S94,OO0, being $1,O63,OOC
greater than the appropriations for the cur
rent fiscal year and $7,49i, 900 less than the
! estimates.
Mr.. Robeson explained the report and stated
that the bill appropriated million of dollars
for the completion Of three of the monitors
being an addition of So, 80, ,000.
Mr.. Atkins, one of the c0nferees, stated
| that he had not signed the report ON account
of the increased appropriations for the moni'
tors.
Mr.. Hiscock opposed the report on the same
| ground.
After some debate the conference report
was agreed to--yeas 104, nays 91.
Mr.. Henderson, of Illinois lat II p. M
made the conference report ON the bill regu'
! lating tho soldiers home at Washington, the
effect of the report being TO continue the
present form of managementsby a board Of
| commissioners.
The report was concurred in.
Mr.. Butterworth, of Ohio, made conference
report on the army appropriation bill. The
| bill, as agreed on in conference, apprOpriates
] 1924 0Sl 900, being 81 73i, 600 less than the ap