The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-11
THE FIPTrETH CONGRESS.
mr.. Dockery Thinks the Mail Service Very
Eficient-Spat Between Springer and Cox.


right of way through the Indian Territory to
the Choctaw Coal and Railroad Company.
Mr. Holman reserved his right of objection,
and Mr. Allen proceeded 20 explain the provis-
ions Of the bill. first stating that the committee
on Indian affairs believed that the construction
Of railroads in tine Indian Territory should be
encouraged, for the reason that they promoted
the civilization CT the Indians. served the public
convenience and created no obstruction. The
previous question was then ordered and the bill
was passed
Mr. Anderson, of Illinois, from the postofice
committee, reported favorably DIR. Perkins's
resolution directing the Postmaster general to
inquire into and report the cause and founda-
ton for the grievances complained Of in q Kan
sas newspaper regarding the Western mail
service. and also to inform the House whether
the almost universal complaint prevailing in the
West against the present unsatisfactory mail
service results from the employment Of mex
perienced and incapable employees or insufficient
appropriations. The COMMITTEES reported an
amendment adding TO the resolution the follow
ing "And also that the Postmaster-Reneral be
directed to further inquire aud inform the
House what, il any. improvements and extern
sions have been made in the mail service Of the
West during the last two years"
Dir. Dockery of Missouri. said he did not care
TO discuss the merits of the resolution. He
would say, however that the Postofice Depart
mont. the committee and the Democratic side of
the matter, and be was confident that investiga-
ton would show that the postal service was
efficient, If not more 30, than at any time in its
history.
Mr.. Perkins, of Kansas, wanted all of the
facts laid before the House. If the bad service
the fault of the House. in consequence Of
inadequate appropriations. he desired to know
it, and if it was the fault Of the administration,
that should be made known. The resolution
had been approved on the 23d OF last month.
and under the rules should have been reported
within q week. In that particular the postofice
committee almost ms unsatisfactory as the
mail service. The resolution was not political.
and the complaints came from Democrats and
Republicans alike. When the answer came he
would undertake to show that they We're well
founded. The resolution was finally adopted,
after the insertion OF an amendment offered by
Mr.. Holman. inserting the word alleged" be-
fore COMPLAINT
Mr.. Culbertson, of Texas, from the judiciary
COMMITTEES, reported favorably bill to create
between the United States and Texas regard
ing Greer county, Texas.
Mr.. Jones, oe Alabama, reported favorably,
from the committee on rivers and harbors, the
resolution calling on the Secretary of War for
information relative to the alleged obstruction
of the Wabash river by a bridge of the Louis
Vile 81 Evansville Railroad Company. A num-
Der OF reports upon private bills were presented,
and the House began consideration of bills on the
private calendar.
bill for the relief of Nathaniel Mckay, and the
executors of Mcdonald Mckay. and, after Mr..
Springer, of Illinois, had read long extracts
from the report and antagonized the bill. Mr..
Cox, of New York, rose and said that never since
he had been in Congress had he heard q more
incoherent, disjonted, ramshackle speech than
had iust been delivered. 1t had all been drawn
from the report of the committees, pieces taken
out wherever they suited the purpose not
to afford reasonable opportunity to the House
10 judge of the
Mr.. Springer declared that he bad fairly pre-
seuted the case.
Mr. Cox replied that he had taken very good
care. when stating that the bill had been vetoed.
not to state the reasons for the veto, that the
House could see how the Presidents objections
lad been met. and now. when 1T was suggested
that the measure might be made acceptable to
to the President, the gentleman Mr.. SpringerJ
was here thinking with his heels and dancing
with his head, preventing q conclusion. The
bill was just in the line OF the views which the
gentleman from Illinois has so eloquently and
for many years urged upon the House-courts
for the adjudication of private claims-yet when
snch bill came MP the gentleman was found
knew, himself, if he was lawyer-he had
heard it said that he a lawyer
llauehter] that in all matters connected
with conscience, receipt could always be ex-
planned by evidence. and that that would
be unconscionable scoundrel who would take
advantage OF q receipt given in an emergency
under duress. What asked shat the
case be sent into court. SO that 1t could be as
G ertained whether or not the governments owed
these claimants.
Mr.. Springer said that the gentleman from
New York had been very felicItous in his re-
MARKS, and NOBODY had enjoyed them more than
he had He would willingly give every Friday
gentlemr mslodious voice But there was some
serious GUINNESS to be done. He declared that
this veS lot q case such as he had contemplated
referriDs to the Court OF Claims. for this bill
sought to empower the court to find judgment.
The gentleman hadl intimated that he Mr..
Springsrl was probably lawyer. He did not
know whether he meant that or not
A voice-Oh, no! it was joke. daughter
MIR. Springer then went on to say that it
true he had not practiced law for fourteen years.
but that the gentleman from New York Mr..
Coxl had also been absent from the bar notable
time.
Mr.. Lanham. OF Texas, interrupted to call for
the regular order
Mr.. Springer asked If anybody in ehall
could tell how much money these claimants
would demand when they went into court.
Mr. Butterworth-An that is due.
Mr. Springer asked liz any other gentleman
was prepared to give the information, but his
question was UNDECIDED. and he declared that
when IL was proposed to consider seriously
matter involving the expenditure OF three or
four million dollars the gentlemen attempted to
joke about It, He did not believe that the
claimants were entitled to the benefits proposed
to be conferred, and charged that the bill
more in the interests OF the lobby than of the
actual claimants.
Mr.. Stone. OF Kentucky, earnestly advocated
he bill, and, resenting Mr.. Springer's remark
ind man who might be influenced. You must
hunt up the man who thinks that everybody
Else can DO influenced" The gentleman's re-
marks were an imputation against the whole
House. and should not be allowed.
The committee decided to report the bill IA
vorably to the House, and rose.
The two bills on the private calendar which
had been favorably reported from the commit
tee or the whole were then taken mp. The first
Tor the relief of G. III. Briggs, deceased was
passed with but little objection. 10 the case of
he second, however that for relief of Nathaniel
Mckay and the executors of Donald Mckay,
Mr.. Springer interposed . vigorous resistance.
Ind. although the House refused to second his
demand for the yeas and nays. he succeeded in
preventing its passage by demanding the read
ng OF the engrossed bill
The House passed the Senate bill authorizing |
hs appointment of Andrew ID. White as regent |
" tho Smithsonian Institution.
The House thereupon adjourned until Mon
lay. leaving the Mckay bill in the unfinished /
BUSINESS to come up next Friday morning.
ProbfbfrioU en- Al