The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-09
An Unpopular Postal BIN.

Washington Special.
There is great deal of comment upon the
fact that the House has shown sufficient hos
tility to cheap postage to pass law which in
creasss by 500 per cent the postage upon the
new form of serial publications and reprints of
classic authors, which have become so popular
in all parts of the country. and have done SO
much to increase the popular knowledge eff these
writer's. The point that under this law immoral
literature is circulated is invalid, for there are
abundant laws upon the statute books to prevent
the circulation of immoral literature in any
form, If federal officials do their duty. and the
most dangerous literature is not printed In
the form which is subjected to postage at
the low rates. No one in the House on either
eide during the debate chose to state exactly
the reason which lies behind the BILL That
reason is that the Third Assistant Postmaster
General, ri. r. Harris, has adopted the theory
that the Postofice Department in all OF
its branches ought to be self-sustaining, and
that the best postal system would be that which
would yield a revenue. It is in accordance with
this policy that the various restrictive regula-
tions as to newspapers were issued, which the
department. was ultimately compelled to rescind,
account of the tremendous pressure of public
opinion. Mr.. Harris has presented to the Post
office Department figures to show that these
serial publications and reprints are carried at a
trifiiug loss, while most other classes of mat
ter there is profit The bill will meet with
great many obstacles in the Senate committee
postofices There are number of members
of that committee who do not agree with the
theory of the postal service of which Mr.. Harris
is exponent. Some of the members insist
that the Postofice Department should be used
agency to benefit the people. and that if,
in doing this, there should be no surplus, the
government, which is now in great distress 90
prevent further accommodations, should not COM
plain.
Democratic Congressiona al Committee.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.-The caucus of the
Democrats members OF the House which
called for this afternoon for the purpose of
selecting representatives on the Democratic
congressional committee resulted in the choice
of the following-named persons:
Alabama, James T. Jones; Arkansas, Thomas
G. McRae; California T. l.. Thompson; Con-
nectcut r. j. Vance; Delaware. j. B. Penning-
ton; Florida r. s. M. Davidson; Georgia, T. w.
Benz f. Shively; Iowa, w. L Hayes; Kentucky.
W. p. Taulbee; Louisiana, NJ D. Lagan; Mary
land Barnes Compton: Michigan. s. .. Fisher;
Mississippi, j. NJ Allen; Minnesota, j. L. Mac
Donaldt Missouri. Jas. n. Burnes; Nebraska, j.
A. McShane; New Hampshire, L. F. Mckinney;
New Jersey. VIM. McAdoo; New York, L. S.
Bryce; North Carolina. T. NJ. Simmons; Ohio.
Berah Wilkins; South Carolina. Saml Dibble;
Tennessee. Benton McMillin; Texas, W. Fl.
Martini Virginia. G. ID. Wise; West Virginia,
G. e. Hogg; Wisconsin. Thomas r. Hudd; Ari-
IONA. NJ. A. Smith; Montana, j. K. Toole; New
Mexico, A. Joseph; Utah, j. T. Caine; Washing
ton Territory. G. S. Voorhees,
In the case Of States where there are no Dem
ocratc representatives. or where the delegations
failed to make selections, the full committee is
granted power to fill the vacancy in representa-
ton. The first person named, Mr.. Jones, of
Alabama, was authorized to call the committee
together for the purpose of organization.