The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-13
ing that this would dsplace the forfeiture bill,
Mr.. VanWyck declined to yield
Aftsr executive session the Senate adjourned.
THE HOUSE.
Another Effort in Behalf of Rivers and Har-
bors-The Postoffice Bill.

the chaplain of the House invoked divine pro-
lection upon him who had been elected President
1t was ordered that on and after Monday next
the House meet at IL o'clock.
The Senate amendments to the consular and
diplomatic and pension appropriation bills were
non-concurred in, and conference committees ap-
pointed.
The House then proceeded to consider bust
ness under the special rule.
On motion of Mr.. Maybury, a Senate bill was
passed. with amendment, providing for the
erection of public building at Detroit at linn
tied cost of 100000.
On motion of Mr. Brainerd, Senate bill
passed. with amendment, increasing to $3.50. 900
the limitation of the cost of public building at
Erie, Pa, and making the present appropriation
500, 000
Mr. Thompson called up the bill amending the
Pacific railroad act so AS to authorize construc-
ton OF road from Sioux City, La, to a point
on the Union Pacific railroad west of the
Tooth meridian. Pending its consideration the
hour allowed under the special rule expired.
Mr. Nathan F. Dixon, of Rhode Island, was
sworn in as successor of Mr. Chace.
Mr. Tucker from the committee on judiciary
reported bill providing for payment of the
judgment rendered by the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia, in the case of Hallet Kill
bourne against j. G. Thompson Referred to the
committee of the whole.
Mr. Willis moved that at the close of to days
proceedings the House take a recess until 10
o'clock tomorrow His object, he stated, was
to take up the river and harbor bill at that hour
The bill could be disposed of in four hours, as
he proposed to ask the House to limit the debate
on the appropriating portion of the bill to one
hour and half. Agreed to.
The House then went into committee of the
whole, Mr. Springer in the chair, on the post
office appropriation bill, tie pending amendment
hnf11 {6o%N fnro hxvAE &c Narxy VOnl
extending the letter-carrier service to places of
10000 population, provided that the gross reve-
nues from postoffices in such places shall aggre-
gate at least $40. 900. Under the present law, he
said, the free delivery system could only be
extended to nine places, while the adoption of
his amendment would result IN its extension to
170new points.
The amendment was ruled out on point of
order.
The paragraphs relating to q change in the
method of compensatng railroads for mail
transportation having been read, Mr.. Bount
made the point of order that while the para
graphs contemplated change of law, they did
not, on their face, retrench expenses in any of
the ways required by the rules.
A long debate followed on the point of order
Messrs. Blount. Rowell, Horn and Cannon con-
tended that the question as to whether the new
legislation retrenched expenses was a problem
atical one, and that instead of retrenchng
penses, the proposed change mi CHIT result in
increased expenses.
Mr.. Townshend and Mr.. Holman combatted the
point, and argued that the change would result
in a saving to the government
The Chair said he had no doubt the legislation
changed the existing law, In deciding whether
it would result in decreased expenditures the
Chair must take into consideration not only the
face of the Paragraphs, but the existing law, and
also the official reports of the government
Viewing it In the light of these documents the
Chair overruled the point of order The Chair
was not without doubt as to the correctness of
the ruling, but he thought the doubt should be
resolved in such way as to allow the matter to
be voted on by the committee.
MI. Blount appealed from the decision of the
Chair, and the committee-52 to 94-refused to
sustain the decision Of the Chair, and the new
legislation concerning railroad mail compensation
was stricken from the bill
Mr. Horr then moved That the appropriation for
inland Aaa TRANSFORMATION be fixed at $l4 0l0 600,
and that 81, 765, 900 be appropriated fer railway
postofice car service. This he said, was made
necessary by the action of the committee in
striking out tho legislation relative to railway
mail compensation. The amounts proposed by
him were those estimated by the Postotfice De-
partment.
Mr. Horrs amendment was adopted.
Mr. Nicolls offered an amendment appropriate
ing 1866 764 for necessary and special facilities
the trunk lines.
After brief and noisy debate by Messrs.
Nicolls, McComas and Money in favor of the
amendment, and by Mr.. Townshend in opposi-
ton, it was adopted.
On motion of Mr. Horr the appropriation for
star rout service was increased by 5000 GOO
On motion of Mr. Horn, the appropriation for
railway postoffice clerks was increased $780, 900.
Mr. Townshend gave notice that these
three amendments he would demand yea
and nayvotes in the House.
Mr.. Townshend offered an amendment pro.
viding that all publications of the second class,
when sent by publishers thereof, or from the
Office of publication, to bona fde subscribers or
from news agencies to actual subscribers, shall,
after the ist of July 1885, be entitled to trans
mission through the mails at one cent per pound,
or fraction thereof. Agreed to.
Mr. Long offered an amendment providing that
any article or item in any newspaper or other
publication may be marked for observation with
out increase of postage. Agreed to.
On motion Of Mr.. Townsend, an amendment
was adopted directing the Secretary of the
Treasury, at future lettings of contracts for
manufacture of stamps, etc, to put in bids for
the Bureau OF Engraving and Printing. Pend
ing further action, the committee rose.
Mr. Townsend moved that the House take
recess until g. but Mr.. White. of Kentucky,
made point on quorum and a call of 1.-The
House was ordered
During the call, Mr. White of Kentucky. be-
ing absent in one of the cloak rooms, unanimous
consent was asked and given to dispense with
further proceedings under the call, and the
House took a recess until o'clock.
At the evening session there were not more
than twentyfour members present. when the
House met and proceeded in committee of the
whole, to further consideration of the postofice
appropriation bill
Mr. Holman raised point of order against the
paragraph allowing additional compensation for
the transportation of ocean mail in American
ships
Mr. Hewitt, of New York. argued that the
proposed legislation did not change the laws.
The bill would really effect retrenchment in
expenditures.
Mr. Randall said the provision in question
greatly increased the expenditure Of public
money.
Mr. Dngley thought the provision clearly in
order.
Mr. Bayne considered that the provision mani
testify changed existing law. Not only that, but
it was departure from the policy of the gov
eminent, which was to pay fair compensation,
and no more, for carrying mails, and the theory
of subsidy entered into the question just so far
as it was departure from that policy.
Randirr q dnciaior ho ttoor md no