The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-21
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
THE SENATE.
Passage OF the Agricultural Bill-Discussion
of the Postofiice Appropriation Bill.


OF the Postofiice Appropriation Bill.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2O.-The Chair laid before
the Senate letter from the Secretary of the
Treasury, submitting reports showing the esti-
mated cost of new lock for the Sault Ste
Marie Falls canal, in Michigan. The report says
the lock will cost $1,253, 400, and that 1856 685
additional will be required for the purpose of
deepening the channel above the lock and the
basin below.
Mr. Cullom presented memorial Of the Leg.
islature Of Illinois, urging Congress to take steps
to acquire ownership Of the ship-canal connecting
the waters of Keweena bay with those of Lake
Superior, and to make such canal free to the
comm cree of the lakes. Referred
Mr. Miller of New York, from the committee
on agriculture. reported favorably, with an
amendment a House bill for protection of for
ests on the public domain
Mr. Gorman offered resolution, which was
agreed to- calling on the Secretary of the In
terror for information whether the subsidized
Pacific railroads have constructed and are main
tanning and operating their line of telegraph,
and whether telegraph messages are accepted
and transmitted for all persons and corporations
without discrimination, as provided by the act
of July l, 1862.
The Des Moines river bill was laid before the
Senate and Mr.. Lapham resumed his remarks
in support OF his proposed amendment requiring
parties in whose interests suits may be insti
tuted by the Attorney general, to file bonds
giving security for costs
The amendment was voted down-yeas %,
nays 80
Mr. Laphan then offered an amendment re-
curing that all actions commenced under this
act in which defendants shall be successful, the
costs shall be given against the United States.
This was rejected-yeaS 16, nays 81.
Mr.. Lapham occupied time till 10 o'clock dis
cusslng other amendments proposed by him.
At that hour, Mr.. Lapham still having the floor,
the matter went over
Mr. Morrill, called UP the anti-silver coinage
bill.
Mr. Hale asked unanimous consent to take up
the agricultural appropriation bill.
Mr.. Morrill, objected, and pressed his motion
to take up the silver bill, which was agreed to
yeas n, nays %.
Mr.. Morrill, then asked unanimous consent to
lay that bill informally aside, and to consider the
agricultural appropriation bill
Mr.. Cameron, of Wisconsin, objected.
Mr.. Hale moved to take up the agricultural
bill
Mr.. Plat inquired whether that would displace
the silver bill
The Chair (Mr. Edmunds) said it would leave
that bill on the calander, subject to be called up
on motion.
Mr.. Hae's motion was agreed to by viva-voce
vote, and the agricultural appropriation bill was
(. taken up and it's consideration proceeded with.
The bill, after some debate. was passed sub
Stanlally as it came from the Senate committee
the principal change being in the item for cultiva
ton of sorghum, which, on motion of Mr. Plumb,
was increased from 500 900 to $50 000
On motion of Mr.. Plumb the postoffice appro
priation bill was taken up.
Mr.. Hawley hoped the Senate would disagree
to the Senate committees amendment reducing
the amount for clerks in postoffces from
So 300 900 to S. 150 600. He said the Postmaster
general had told him he had estimated on what
were the absolute needs of the service; he mr.
Hawley) also knew that postmasters sometimes
had to pay for extra clerk hire out of their own
pockets in order to have. the work properly
done. He knew this had been done at Hartford,
Conn.
Mr.. Plumb defended the reduction, and the
committees amendment was adopted.
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Plumb said
he thought the expenses of the government
could be reduced by $50 900, 900 annually without
hurt to the public service.
A section of the bill as it came from the House
provided that letters shall be charged at the rate
of two cents an ounce, instead of two cents a
half ounce; drop letters, where there is no free
delivery, one cent an ounce, and newspapers in
bulk, to regular subscribers, one cent pound,
but sample copies at one cent per four ounces.
AS to this provision, Mr.. Beck said the appropri-
tons committee had concluded to strike it out as
being general legislation. Mr.. Beck said it was
good legislation, though in the wrong place. and
the members of the committee, or most of them,
held themselves at liberty to vote as individuals
against their report as committee.
Mr.. Miller, of New York, opposed the sample
copy" provision. He thought it better that
uniform rate be established. Postal rates have
been so irregular and unsystematic that not even
members of the postofice committee of Congress
could always remember what the rates were in
any given case The rates should be simplfed
and stripped of complication.
Mr.. Plumb said all the reductions of postal
rates had been effected by means of appropria-
ton bills.
Mr.. Sherman said the legislation was good and
timely, and as the members of the appropriations
committee seemed to wish the Senate should
vote their amendment down, he mir. Sherman)
was disposed to oblige them.
Mr.. Allison said if the vote of the Senate
should strike out the legislation referred to- it
would be a declaration that we shall keep general
legislation IN appropriation bills when legislation
suits us, and strike it out when it does not The
legislation being of itself admitted to be good.
this was good place for US to stand by our rule
and show our virtue.
Mr.. Dawes favored standing by the rule and
agreeing to the committees amendment He
thought the Senate post-ofice committee ought
to wake up and take hold of such o subject as
this and report bill on it.
Mr. Hill defended the postofice committee.
DIR. Miller, of New York. said the new Senate
provisions on appropriation bill, but he did not
believe it required the Senate to strike out such
a provision found in a House bill
Mr.. Conger favored retaining the provision.
He would not be prevented by mere sentiment
as to rules from voting for proper legislation.
After considerable further discussion as to the
operation of the Senate rule which was partici-
pated in by Messrs. Williams, Sherman, Miller
of California, Plumb, Hawley, Hoar, Mitchell,
Cockrell and Edmunds, the Senate disagreed to
the committee amendment by a vote of Is yeas
to 33 nays, so far as that amendment related to
letter postage, leaving the newspaper provision
yet to be acted on.
The Senate went into executive session, and
when the doors reopened adjourned till to-mor-
81 I