New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-24
EVILS OF THE MAIL SYSTEM.
UGLY QUESTIONS SUGGESTED IN DEBATE
TIE POSTAL APPROPRIATION BILL ANALYzED IN
THE HOUSE THE SLAMS OF DEMO-

THE POSTAL APPROPRIATION BILL ANALYzED IN
THE HOUSE - TnR SLAMS OF DEMO-
CRATIC REFORM EXPOSED.
WASHINGTON, May 23-The House to-day de-
voted its whole time to the consideration Oh the
Post Office appropriation bill, which makes an IN
crease of se,OO0,ooo on the usual APP
preparation for this purpose, and lett
of with that bill still hanging in
the air as unfinished business, and many ugly
questions, suggested in debate unanswered .Cmet
among these were, first, extravaganza; second,
uniust discrimination in favor OF the South as
aca;nst the West, and third, violation of Civil
Service rules
On the first point of extravaganza it was dis
closed that the majority Of the Committee on POST
Offices and Post Roads had deliberately ignored
the recommendations Of their own party associate,
Mr.. Villas, late PostmastcrGeneral, in regard to
the compensation of railroads for carrying mall
by weight. The rates paid for this service. Mr.
Villas said in his last report, were exorpltano'
showing a reduction OF only IA per cent in seven
teen years as regards the principal railroads, while
in ordinary traffic the reduction during the same
period had ranged from 80 to so per cent. And
In respect to the railway mail service on the lead
ing lines, the slight reduction made had been
more than compensated under reform Admlhlstga-
ton by an allowance of 100000 year Ior
postal cars, which was s70O, 600 more per annum
than the original cost Of the cars employed
On the subject of unjust discrimination, strong
showing was made by Mr.. Perkins, OF Kansas, as aS
TO the manner in which the South had been favored
at the expenseDf the West. Air. Dockery, OF MIS-
souri,, in reply, was all sugar ana sou soap id
speaking of the rapid development Oh hansas anu
OF his desire TO aid in her advancemtnt ~ acc9rus
proper postal facilities. But he lett MI; terklnS
points Substantially unanswered and shifted the
discussion into the Civil Service groove.
MIR. BINGHAM QUOTES INSTRUCTIVE FIGURES.
Here the Republicans had him at clear dlsad'
oil ara6 m
tisan uses of the s6,OOO 600 appropriated for un-
controlled distribution by the Post Office Depart
ment in the matter of clerk hire, he replied that
this fund was still disbursed by one Of the hold
over clerks of the Republican Administration
Here loud cries of Put him outl" were raised on
the Republican side Mr.. DOckery said he admired
the newborn zeal of the republican party ~ datof
from the 4th of March, 1888, think, ne
added, " that every Administration ought to be
in the hands of its friends
MIR. Bingham of Pennsylvania, remarked that
as far as the present Administration could brlns
this about, it had endeavored TO DO SO. Every
first second, and third class postmaster, except a
mere handful had beer changed, and Of 6fty-two
odd thousand fourth-class postmasters, 4o,VVo
had been bounced; " merely desire to state,
Mr. Bingham added that the position OF the al.
ministraton and the gentleman from Missouri
(Mr. DoclSery) on this question seem 10 DC loeh-
tical' III en,,M, noc,,orv shouted
that before the ides of November come all the
wings of the Democratic party will be happlng
together and that we will re-elect Grover Cieve-
land President of the United States" ar
"On a Civil Iervice PLATFORM" inquired MI
Kerr, Of Iowa. =, .,,;os
with scarcely suppressed sneer. ,,
When the bill came to be discussed IN detall
II was found that by unanimous conSehy; as
alleged in direct defiance of the rules OF the House
prohjbjting new legislation in appropriation bills
provise had been inserted authorizing the POST
master General to allow rent, light and fuel 10
third class postrnasters who hitherto have had to
pay their own rent. Some of the Southern mem
bers discovering this desired to carry out inc
same provision with regard to fourth-class post
masters but as the people holding these positions
have little or political grip and are; n point
tbo chairman of the committee, interposed the
pojnt of order that this would be in violation OF
the rules of the House, and pending the consider
alton of this and other questions the House au-
iourned leaving the bill unfinished.