National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-13

On motion OF Mr.. Jones, OF Alabama, saturday
April II, was set apart for the consideration of
resolutions touching the death of Mr.. Herndon,
member-elect from Alabama.
The morning hour having been dispensed with,
the house, at 1925, went into committee of the
whole (Mr. BuCkner in the chair on the posoffice
appropriation bill.
Tho pending amendment was that offered by Mr.
Horr increasing from $40, 100000 to ST. 100000 the
appropriation for the compensation Of post
masters.
Mr.. Bedford, In allusion to some remark made
by Mr.. Skinner Tuesday as to the amount Of reve-
nue. paid into the postofice department by the
state of New York. asserted that 80 per cent of the
money turned into the treasury department by the
west and south was expended in the east, and
declared that II was time that the western and
southern men should cease to follow under the
banner of eastern leaders, whether they belonged
to one party or another. He criticised the action
of MIR. Townshend. of Illinois, western man. in
standing out in the interest of EASTERN democrats
to impair and contract the mail service of the
west, and described the democratic party in the
house as herd ofpolitical eunuchs, without man
MIR. Townshend dismissed Mr. Bclford's speech
with the remark that experience had taught hin
the pending amendment, ana defended The bill,
declaring that II was the most liberal postohce
bill which had ever been brought into the house.
He charged that the committee on appropriations
of the last congress had Intentionally cut down
appropriations for the purpose OF creating de-
iGiency, which must be met by democratic
house, in order that the republican party might
pose before the country as economists.
The amendment was lost-T to 50.
Mr.. Davis OF Illinois, moved to strike out the
clause limiting the salaries of postmaster to i05O
He argued in favor OF paying sufficient salary to
| directly attacked by the bill, and showed the
great responsibility which attached to their posi-.
| ton and the vast amount of business which was
trausac ed at their respective offices.
Nj. Holman offered an amendment fixing the
salary Of the postmaster at New York at 5000.
lie admitted that the business at the nine great
| offices was vast, and that large bonds were re-
CURED but he denied that, under existing law,
any responsibility attached to the Office Of post
| Mr. Money chairman ofthe post office commit
| tee) advocated MIR. Daviss amendment, believing
| that better service could BE- procured by paying
reasonable salaries, ana conttoyeried the state
| ment that no responsibility rested on the post
masters at the large offices. Congress would be
unihthful to its trust II II trimmed down, from
false sense of economy, the salaries of hese officers
Mr. Holman SAID that this was the first instance
of an advocacy OF eXtrayagance rom the demo,
| the Committee on appropriations in its measures
ofeconomy In republic economy and honesty
were convertible terms.
NIr. Potter said that he was always in favor of
| economy but that the cutting down of salaries to
! such IN extent that the requisite talent and
| ability could not be procured Tor the sum offered
| was not economy. II WAS waste. lie knew what
| the value Of such services IN New York was, and
ne avrrrcd that the necessary talent could moi he
procured for S4 00O or &C Goa. Eight thousand dol
| lars was not an adequate salary
| MIR. Morse opposed the Ie luCton of the salaries
of postmusteIs, and stated that when the Office at
Boston was vacant there were only five applicants
for the position on account OF the small salary
| and the large bond required. He had Just re-
| fused tn go on the bond OF his postmaster.
| Mr. Dunn inquired whether he would have gone
on the same mans bond II the salary had been
Mir Morse replied that he would have done so
mrst decidedly. The idea Of cutting down the
| salary Of that Office was farccll.
Mr. nd
shape, declaring that high salaries TO public
officers ten9ed TO Imperialism ana that the ger
Mr. Biusham opposed the proposed Limitation
Of salary, and minated that Mr. HolmGn's propO.
sitiOu 10 except New York was made because Of
The knowledge thaJif that were not done ne could
not carry his side Of tue house with him. The
Other large cities should not be placed in a worse
position Than n W York, and he maintained that
none OF the salaries should be cut down.
Mr. Horn inquired sarGaSIlcaliy whether Mr..
the fact that New York was the home of the sun,
which had just published his picture to the coun-
try.
The question being on Mr.. Homans amend.
meut Il was rejected, the opponents of the limita-
lion clause all voting against 1t.
The motion TO strike out the Limitation clause
was agreed tO-ll7 to 40.
This leaves the salaries as Mt present.
Mr., HOrr moved to increase the appropriation
for clerks In postOihCes by Sl2J,OOO.
The committee rose Tor the purpose OF limiting
debate on this amendment
Mr.. Townshend was willing to accord thirty
minutes hut the republicans held out for forty,
Nearly TWO hours were consumed IN roll calls
without any accommodation in regard 10 the dis
Euied ten minutes being arrived Ut but finally
the shorter time was II. reed and the committee
resumed It's session, The increased appropriation
was favored by Mts'rs. CutGhcon, Bingham, and
II rr, aud opposed by MIR. Holman and Mr.. Town
,hend.
The amendment was lost--77 to III.
MI skinner offered an amendment increasing
by S4OOO 900 the appropriation for the payment OF
letter carriers.
Pending action, the committee rose, and the
house, al o'clock, adjourned.