St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-12
WASHINGTON.
The Republicans Endeavoring to Make
Capital out of the POstofiice
Appropriation Bill.
The Question now is, What VIII Be Done
About the Lasker Resolutions.
The Mexican Treaty Passes the Senate and
Will Now Go to the House.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.


preparation bill as the grist. Horr, of Mich
igan, gave the matter a political turn last
Saturday, for he is essentially partisan
upon every question that comes before con-
gress. Mr. Bingham, of Pennsylva-
MIA, Mr.. Skinner, of New York,
and Mr. Belford, of Colorado, followed in
the same line to-day, the burden OF
their speeches being that the Democrats pro-
posed to cripple the postal service by their
parsimony and false economy. Mr.. Brigham,
who was postmaster of Philadelphia for years
and chairman of the postofiice committee in
the Forty-seventh congress, had the adyant-
are of practical experience and large informa-
ton gained from special study, which he
used very cleverly in his criticisms of the
bill from partisan standpoint.
Judge Holman and Representative Towns
hend represented the Democratic view of the
question. Holman met Horr and Bingham
with string of facts and figures to show that
the bill made ample provision for the needs
of the postal service, and was much more
liberal than the appropriations made by the
Republicans in the last congress.
But the part of his speech which attracted
general attention and caused many Republi-
cans to take seats near by, so as to be within
reach of his weak voice, was that pertaining
to land grants and land grant railroads,
Mr.. Horr having complained that these roads
had been unfairly treated with respect to
their compensation for carrying the mails.
Mr.. Holman received many congratulations.
The attack of the Republicans had stirred
up MI Townshend's blood, and he closed the
debate with scorching Indictment. Of the
Republican party, which, however, only made
them laugh and join the Democrats in ap-
pauding him again and again when he sat
down. The general debate has closed, and
the bill will be considered tomorrow under
the five minute limit to speeches.
In this postoffice bill the Democrats are able
to pass as economists without any sort of
present inconvenience. The postal service
is established and public opinion will not al
low it to be curtaiied and the costs follow
necessarily. The department collects its own
revenues and largely runs itself and if con-
gress does not appropriate enough this year
its only result will be to
necessitate deficiency bill next year.
What the Democrats are trying to do at pres
ent is to make low aggregate of appropria-
tions. They will put down the postal appro-
priations say 81 100000 with the utmost
serenity because they know that the postal
service will go on undisturbed, and if large
deficiency bill has to be passed next winter,
it will be after the presidential election is
over. Postmasters' salaries are fixed by law,
and the present bill changes the law in NO
respect except to limit salaries to $4,000.
But this does not reduce the salaries of half
a dozen postmasters in the United States.
This appropriation is 81, ,72O, 900 less than the
estimate of the postmaster general. The
postmasters are going to be paid any way,
even if they are Republicans, but the Demo
Gratis are going to make as small provision as
possible for them before the presidential
election.
STILL THE LASKER RESOLUTIONS.
What will become of the Hiscock-Laske1
resolutions is the question that agitates the
minds of the political gossips of the capital.
The committee on foreign affairs have the
delicate question to deal with, and as a ma
Jority of the members are believed to be eau
tious and sensible men, it is expected that
the committee will either report that no ac-
ton is necessary and recommend that Hiseock
resolutions be laid on the table or remodel
the preamble so that it may be less insulting
to Bismark and recommend the adoption Of
the amended resolutions, reaffirming the re-
grets of the house at the death of the German
statesman. 1t is regretted in some quarters
that the nominal leaders of the majority
we're caught mapping by Mr. Hiscock who
deprived the Democrats of the political
benefits that are likely to
accrue from the mere proposal of buncombe
resolutions like this. The Republicans will
point to the spirited position taken by their
leader in resenting Bismarck's rudeness,
and claim that the Democrats prevented a
proper assertion of self respect on the part of
congress. If the resolutions should be
adopted in the form in which they were drawn
by Hiscock, the Democrats will be sharply
criticised as blunderers whose wits are upset
from long disuse in places of power and who
are not to be trusted with the reins of gov
ernment. 1t is too late to remedy this step
now and the Democrats must rely on the
committee to lead them safely out of the diff
fculty into which Mr.. Ochiltree and Mr.. His
cock, both Republicans, have led them.
Among the members of the committee
are Curtin, Kasson, Hill and Phelps, all of
whom have had experience in diplomacy,
and their regard for their own reputation in
this respect as well as for the dignity of the
nation will incline them to deal with the
question in manner that will do credit to
the nation rather than as political parti-
sans. When the committee makes its
report, whatever it may be, there will be some
caustic speeches unless Speaker Carlisle and
the leaders of the floor have the tact and
firmness to prevent it, for it is known that
several congressman have prepared to fire a
shot at despotism in Germany if they get a
chance.
Western Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE house COM
mittee on postoffices and postmasters to-day
heard the testlmony Oh Representative Ellis,
of Louisiana, regarding his alleged connec-
ton with the route contracts. He made the
statement broadly and emphatically, denying
the receipt or promise of money for such aid
as he had rendered in securing mail con-
tract, which aid, he said, was only such as he
had rendered to other Louisiana people when
ever he could. 1t was a character of aid
which he, as representative, con-
sidered it his duty to render in the interest Of
his constituents. He showed, on receiving
the first intimation that a paper in the pos
ession of Inspector Woodward cast an i'm.
putation upon him, Ellis. He at once sought
out Brott, who went with him to the inspect
or, to whom Bratt stated that there was no
the slightest foundation for any reflection OF
Ellis integrity.
NOMINATIONS.