The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-02-16
ABOUT WASHINGTON.

ABOUT WASHINGTON.
Congregational Proceedings and Other
Matters
HOUSE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1O.-Allen, of
Mississippi, asked unanimous consent
to proceed to immediate consideration
of the bill granting the right of way
through the Indian Territory to the
Choctaw Coal & Railroad Company.
Holman reserved the right of OBJ
lection, and Allen proceeded to explain
the provisions of the bill, first stating
that the committee on Indian affairs
believed that the construction of rail-
roads in the Indian Territory sh ould
be encouraged for the reason that they
promoted civilization of the Indians,
served public convenience and created
no obstruction.
Previous question was then ordered
and the bill was passed.
Anderson, of Illinois, from the post
Office committee reported favorably the
Perkins resolution directing the post
master-general to inquire into and
form a cause and foundation for the
grievances complained of in the Kan
sas newspapers 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 employ
ment of inexperienced and incapable
employees or insufficient appropria-
tiOns.
The committee reported an amend
ment adding to the resolution the fol-
lowing: And also that the postmaster
general be directed to further inquire
and inform the house what, if any,
improvements and extensions have
been made in mail service of the west
during the last two years.
Dockery, of Missouri, said the
post committee and democratic side of
the house courted the fullest investi-
CATION of the matter, and he was con-
fident the investigation would show
chat the postal service was as efficient
if not more SO than at any time in its
history.
Perkins of Kansas wanted all of
the facts laid before the house. If bad
service was the fault of the house in
consequence of inadequate appoint
ment he desired to know it and if it
was the fault of the administration
that should be made known.
The resolution was finally adopted
after the insertion of an amendment
offered by Holman inserting the word
alleged" before complaint.
the the G relief s of ~n %sfhsnie s M Mckay iGg
and the executors of Donald Mckay,
and after Springer, of Illinois,
had read long extracts from
the report and antagonized the bill.
Cox, of New York, rose and said that
never since he had been in congress
had he heard more incoherent, dis
jointed, ramsackle speech than had
just been delivered. 1t had all been
drawn from the report of the commit
tee. pieces taken out wherever they
suited his purpose, so as not to afford
reasonable opportunity to the house
| to judge of the case.
Springer declared that he had fairly
presented the case.
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 so the house could
see hoy the Presidents objection had
been met and how when it was Sug-
gested that the measure might be
made acceptable to the President the
| gentleman (Springer) was here think
ing with his heels and dancing with
head preventing a conclusion. The
bill was just in line of the views which
the gentleman from Illinois had so
eloquently and for SO many
/ years urged upon the house-courts
for the jurisdiction of private claims
yet when such bill came UP the gen
tleman was found trying to break it
down in detail. The gentleman knew
himself whether he was lawyer-he
had heard it said that he was a lawyer
II(laughter) that in all matters con-
nected with conscience, a receipt could
always be explained by evidence, and
that that man would be an unconsci-
enable scoundrel who would take
advantage of a receipt given
in an emergency, or under duress.
What was asked was that the case be
sent into the courts so that it could be
ascertained whether or not the govern
Enent owed these claimants.
Springer said that the gentleman
from New York had been very felici-
tous in his remarks, and nobody had
enjoyed them more than he had.
| lLaughter.) He would willingly give
every Friday during the balance of the
session to hear the gentleman's melo-
dious voice. But this was some serious
business to be done. He declared
that this was not case such as he had
contemplated referring to the court Of
claims, for this bill sought to empower
the court to find a judgment. The
gentleman had intimated that he
| (Springer) was probably a lawyer. He
did not know whether heme3nt that OF
not.
A voice-sOh no, it was a joke
I@(laughter.)
/ Springer then went on to say that il
was true he had not practiced law fol
fourteen years, but that the gentleman
from New York (Cox) had also beer
absent from the bar a notable time.
Tanham, of Texas, interrupted tt
call for the regular order.
: Springer asked if anybody in the hal
could tell how much money thes;
claimants would demand when theN
went into court.
ButterWorth-ttAll that is DUE"
Springer asked if any other gentle
man was prepared to give the informa
ton, but his question was unheedeC
: and he declared that when it was pro
, posed to consider seriously a matte
l involving the expenditures of three O
3 four million dollars the gentleman at
tempted to joke about it. He did no
: believe that the claimants were en-
' titled to the benefits proposed to b
D conferred, and charged that the bi
! was more in the interests of the lobb
| GUAn Oh JIG dCbudl cldlL1auGS.
!, Stone, or Kentucky, earnestly advC
: Gated the bill, and resenting Springer
/. remark about the lobby said
. IF you wanted to find a ma
[ who might be Influenced 20
s must hunt up4he man who think
t that every one can be influenced.
: The gentieman's remarks were an in
I putation against the whole house, an
: should not be allowed.
t the committee decided to repoI
a the bill favorably to the house and the
s rose.
II The two bills on the private calends
s which had been favOrably reporte
|, from the committee of the whole WEI
s then taken up. The first, for the n
d lief of G. n. Briggs, deceased. wa
, passed with but little objection.
In the case of the second, howeve
Is that for the relief of Nathaniel McKs
}. and the executors of Donald McKs