The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-25
MATTERS AT THE CAPITAL.
IA Case of Economy to Which the Atten-
ton Of Director Holman Is Invited.
cleveland and Voorhees, Suggested as the
Next National Democratic Candidates.
Brutal Old Soldier-Capital Notes.
A NUT FOR HOLMAN 10 CRACK.


More Democratic Economy and Reform-Lib-
eral Provision for Political Friend.
Washington Special to New York Tribune
Representative Holman has just left Washing
ton for his home in Indiana, having been de-
tanned here to look after certain appointments
There is considerable disaffection in his district
and the indications are that he will have close
race. One of the matters that ne will be called
on to explain is the extravaganza appropriation
for the maintenance of the postofice of the House
of Representatives. which is filed by one Of his
most faithful and devoted followers. The money
for this postofce is appropriated in the legislat-
i've BILL which is prepared by Judge Holman.
For salaries of a postmaster, assistant post
master and seventeen messengers and labor
ers the sum Of $2l,22 year
is appropriated 'For hire Of horses and mail
wagons for carrying the mails" So, 600 year is
appropriated, making total of $26.22O The
business of this Office is to collect at the city
postoffce, a quarter of a mile distant. all the
mail for the members and employees, carry the
same to the Capitol and then deliver it, Be-
sides this, the mail is carried twice day to the
residences in the city of the various members.
To handle this mail, six wagons and seven
horses are hired by the postmaster The long
session averages about seven months. while the
short session only LASTS three months. A few of
the members remain in the city for short
time after the adjournment each session and one
wagon is used to deliver their mails during their
continuance here. 1t seems rather strange that
SO eminent an economist as Mr.. Holman
should be willing TO appropriate the same amount
OF money, So, 600. for the hire of horses and
wagons for three months service that he does for
seven months service, particularly in view of
the fact that only So. 900 Is appropriated for the
horses and wagons of the Senate postof6ce The
employees of the Senate postofice only number
seven, and their salaries aggregate $12 49, The
six wagons and sets Of harness hired and used
by the House postmaster cost, with the harness,
ones which cost an average off $50
each. The horses and wagons are kept
in stable which Ia rented at 500 q
month. or $240 for the year. They are attended
by two men who receive $50 month each. or
$3.50 for the year. Ths,feed for the horses last
session cost $500, which would make it about
$500 for the year. Repairing the wagons and
harness costs $50 and shoeing the horses $685.
that the whole cost of buying the outfit was
81, LEO, and keeping it a year In the stable $240;
erooms, $3.50; forage, $780, repairs and shoeing.
&l60-total, 81, 480. the fortunate owner of
these teams-whch cost less than 81. 200 origin
ally and which he keeps at less than 81, 500
year-receives So, 900 for their use seven months
three months in another year, nearly twice
the original cost and the keeping each year. for
an average use of less than six months This is
q profitable contract.
Mr.. Lycurgus Dalton is postmaster of the
House. and Is from Indiana, the State which has
the honor OF being represented by the great
economist Holman, and Mr. Dalton as postmas-
ter hires these horses and wagons Now, from
whom does he hire themq The answer given
by q man who has investigated the matter is
"Lycureus Dalton That is, he pays himself
$4,000 in two years for the1use of an outfit that
originally cost him less than 81. 200 and does not
cost him SIS, 900 to keep dnring the two years.
This enables Mr.. Dalton to be liberal in fixing
up conventions to renominate the economist and
possibly it accounts for the blindness of Mr..
Holman to this extravagant and unnecessary
to carry the mails of the House of Representa-
lives for much smaller sum than $1,000. even
II they did not make yearly profit of $500 on
the contracts.