The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-09
CONGRESS.
An Abstract of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.



Senator Riddleberger offered a resolution
providing that the treaty between this Govern
ment and that Of Great Britain should be con-
Eidered in open session. Senator Edmunds OBJ
fected 10 the consideration Of the resolution.
The resolution was laid over.
Senator Plumb called up the resolution in
Etrnctinr the Postotfice Committee to make a
thorough inquiry as TO the character OF the
mail service, especially in the West and South.
Senator Henderson said that he felt grateful
&C The Senator from Kansas for introducing tins
resolution, and he hoped for speedy lnyesti-
CATION. The people who live in the rapidly
advancing States of the West have suffered
very greatly within the last two years because
Of inadequate postal facilities. de was daily
in receipt Of letters calling his attention to the
fact In his own State more than 900 miles
of railroad had been built during the past year,
and the postal service had not been made SUM-
cirnt to meet the wants of the people.
Senator Stewart said that the same condition
oftbings existed throughout the West The mail
service had been cut down until it was totally
inadequate. Where there have been daily
there are now but tri-weekly and sometimes
weekly mails, and the force was wholly insult
fcient to deliver the mails promptly. The
complaint was general.
Senator Salisbury did not know of the de-
lars in the mails which had been complained
Of he thought they might be wel-founded
or without foundation He did not oppose the
investigation, but be thought it was unfair
that that resolution should be spread upon the
Record aud put before the country. When we
cut down the rate of letter postage from three
cents TO two we reduced the revenues OF the
Department and did not make sufficient pro-
vision otherwise for them. The late Postmas-
tar-General endeavored 10 keep within the
limits Of the appropriation, and possibly he had
to economic more than his Judgment would
have justified.
Senator Stewart said that he did not intend
Go cast reflection upon any officer. He simply
stated the condition of things The people
wanted the mail service economic and efficient.
Senator Morgan was glad that the resolution
had been introduced, because he thought that
the Committee on POstofices and Postroads
needed a stimulant, and because they could
form some statute and amendment which would
make the postal service of the United States
correspond with its growth. The reduction of
the postage had been followed by an enormous
increase in the volume and weight of the mails.
he believed it was necessary to take up the
postal laws and reform them. The committee
could have no better guide for this reformation
than the report Of the Postmaster-Ge General.
Senator Teller said that if the purpose of the
inquiry was TO find out whether there was
defective mail service in the West il was not
necessary. The real trouble was that there is
mot money enough. Again, the officials in Wash
feeling it. when in one section of the country
they can build 600 miles Of railroad from April
GO November, and in another section 200 miles in
The Summer through a mountain range sup
posed 10 be impossible. 1t was not to be i'm
Egined that the officials here, who were ham,
pGFsd by the notion that the whole country is
where they are. would keep ND with the times
Senator Beck said that be had studied the
matter with much care. We were distributing
the mail, by perhaps the most intelligent
young men in the service, on lines Of railway,
and yet great ocean steamers were coming
In every day from Europe laden with foreign
mails, many Of them Of great importance. aud
instead Of havinga postal clerk on these steam
erE arranging the mails and getting them ready
for shipment as soon as they land at New York
there were from 30 TO 100 clerks kept in the
New York postoffice who took from "a to as
hours to arraagesass0Tt and adjust the mails
before they could be started 10 their places Of
destination
Senator Chase thought that the main diff
Guilty was that the present Administration had
attempted 10 change the clerical force too rap
idly. In the short space Of two years and a
half nearly 80 per cent. Of the forces of the
P0Etofhces of the country had been changed. 1t
was impossible that that number Of new men
should be indicted into the service and per-
fern their duties successfully and efficiently.
Senator Reagan denied that there had been
ADMINISTRATION than by any previous one.
Senator Chase Fepadiated this and said that
1t appears By the report Of the Postofice De-
plrtnent that out Of 1853 Presidential Post
masters 1000 had been removed up TO the time
OF this report, and out Of 81 900 other Offices
$1,000 had been changed.
The resolution went over under the rule
Senator Hear called up the joint resolution
proposing an amendment TO the Constitution
providing that the term Of Office Of the Presi.
Dent and Of the 50th Congress shall continue
until the last Tuesday IN april, 1889, at noon
and that thereafter the last Tuesday In April
G. noon, shall be substituted for the 4th o.
March as the commencement and termination
O. tie official term Of the President, Vice-Pres
ideHt, and Senators and Representatives in
Congress.
The resolution was amended so as 10 gubsti
tute the Both day Of April for the las
Tuesday" and passed, twO-thirds Of the Sena
tors present voting in the affirmative.
The consideration Of the Blair Educationa
Bill was resumed, with an argument by Senator
EEarts in support Of its constitutionality and
vision.
Senator Blair offered figures to show that III,
Increase in the eolored population which tool
place between 1870 and 1850 is not far from
100000 to-day, and viii be at least 10, 100000
By the time the census OF 1880 is taken: ais.
showing the amount Of assistance which tn
EA1sts nave al4EaAf received from the AJEnera
Government He corrected statement Of Sen
at0r Bale TENN, who denied that the Legis
lEture Of his State had Endorsed the bill
Senator Bate said that the statement mad
by his colleague, Senator Harris, was correct
that the question had repeatedly been befor
tie Legislature, but no instruction given him
The Senate went into executive session ani
thereafter adjourned.
Tie House went into Committee Of the Who'll
for the purpose Of considering bills reporter
from the Committee on Public Buildings AM
Grounds
Bills were read appropriating $4,000 for
public building al GFeeuyiile S. c.: $50 90
Tor enc at Ashyille N. C.; $4,000 for one 3
Springfield, No; 100000 for one at Monro,
la: $4,000 Tor one at Portsmouth O.. an
$4,000 FOR grounds and buildings for the Chic
Signal Officer Of the Army. These were II
ported with the recommendation that they l
passed.
The bill appropriating S1l 900 for the cor
EtFuction Of a road and approaches 70 the \;
tioHal Military Cemetery near Pineville, la
was taken up on motion Of AIr. Blanchard an
passed
Mr.. Morrill,, from the Committee on Invall
Pensions reported back the bin granting pei
fion 70 Mrs Logan, which WAS referred TO Il
Committee on the Private Calendar, and o
cered 10 DC printed also the bill granting
pension 20 Mrs. Frank P. Blair; which was sir
Larry disposed Of
"WEDNESDAY, FEE. l.
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