Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-15
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
THE POST OFFICE APPROPRIATION BILL.
WHAT THE COMMITTEES ARE DoINo
House of Representatives.

THE POST OFFICE APPROPRIATION BILL
In the absence OF Speaker Carlisle the House was
called to order by Mr.. Blackburn, OF Kentucky.
The morning hour having been dispensed with the
House, at lees, went into committee of the whole
Mr. Blount, Ga, in the char) the post ofce ap-
preparation bll the pending question being on the
motion OF Mr. Horr (Mich.) to strike out the proyiso
limiting the compensation paid for mail transpor-
tatiOn to land grant roads TO 80 per cent OF that
allowed TO other roads
MIR Holman Ind.l offered as a substitute for the
motion an amendment Including within the 80 per
cent limitation clause the Northern Pacific and the
Union Pacific systems, and providing that no right
now existing in favor OF the United states in regard
TO those roads shah be deemed TO be impaired or
waived by this action.
Mr.: Dunn {Ark-) sarcastically congratulated the
gentleman upon the graceful
SURRENDER OF THE COMMITTEE on APPROPRIATIONS
at his suggestion. He had framed substantially
similar amendment some days ago, but had not
been permitted to offer 1t.
Mr.. Cannon Qlls) looked upon the proposition as
one to diminish the amount that would 90 into the
sinking fund. Practically speaking he did not think
II made any difference whether the amendment
prevailed or not. Under the Thurman act the sink
Ing fund would not yield sufficient amount TO In
demnfy the government when the bonds matured.
MT. Dunn-That Is explained In q report OF the
railroad commissioners: 1t Is
KNAyERY on THE PART OF THE ROADS.
Mr.. Cannon, continuing, said that If gentlemen
on the other side wanted to do Just and effective
thing they would come into the House with an
amendment increasing the sinking fund under wise
provisions, so that when the bonds matured there
would be sufficient sum In that fund. The pend
Ing amendment was a shame and fraud and an
attempt to deceive the country.
Mr.. Belford (Coll favored the amendment
THE POLITICAL PARTIES OF THIS COUNTRY
were barren OF issues at present. except the tariff
but there was one shining over the horizon, and
that was the struggle of the people OF this nation
against the constantly growing and swelling power
or gigantic monopolieS which the nation had called
into existence and yet had not got the courage TO
control.
Mr.. Horr opposed the amendment, contending
that 1t would deprive the roads OF the earnings
which would be applied to the sinking fund
Mr. HolmdnS amendment was adopted-S5 to SO.
Mr. Horr then moved TO strike out the proyiSo as
amended.
Mr.. Cutcheon (Mich.) protested against the pro-
yiSo, as highway robbery.
Mr.. Holman opposed the motion: and Mt. Nc
C!arny (Mo.) and Mr.. BiSbee Ila-) and Mr. Horr
spoke against the proyiSo.
Mr. ToTnshend denied that ft would require the
malls to be carried at less than cost. When the
rates had been reduced 80 per cent the roads would
then receive more than they receive for carrying
express matter.
The motion to strike out was lost-19 oS.
Mr.. Bingham (Pa.l moved 10 strike out the clause
reducing 3 per cent the rates allowed to all rail-
road companies.
Mr. ToWnshend warned the House that IL another
great scandal afflicted the Post Once department
1t would grow out OF this question OF railroad COM
lensat1on, and contended that five per cent re-
ductlon was fair and reasonable.
Mr.. BlnghamS motion was lost
The Paragraph was then passed from.