The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-24
Tho House Of Representative.

was passed granting right oil way through
the Lac dc Flambeau Indian reservation
In Wisconsin, to the Milwaukee, Lake
Shore 4 Western Railroad company.
On motion OF Mr.. Morrill,, OF Kansas,
the Senate bill was passed authorizing the
Ieavcnworth City and Fort Lcavcnworth
Water company to purchase a portion OF
the Fort Leavenworth military reserva-
ton.
The House then went into committee OF
the whole (Mr. Turner, Of Georgia, in the
chair on the postoilice appropriation bill.
Mr. Blount, Of Georgia, explained that
the bill carried an appropr alton OF &c.,
OBS, $40 against an appropriation OF So1,-
6gl, $50 for the current fiscal year. lie
deemed il necessary TO give tho causes for
this increase. The appropriation for COM
pcnsation OF postmasters for 1880 was H.
100000. The sixth auditor stated that the
expenditures for this item In 1887
amounted 10 Sll, 1925, 4sl, OF S229, 4si more
than the appropriation for 1888. At the
same time Il appeared that while In 1885
the gross revenues increased at the rate Of
3.26 per cent, in 1887 the increase was
l4.06 per cent The same large increase Of
receipts was expected TO take place In 1888.
In the appropriation bill for 1883 there was
no appropriation for rent, light and fuel at
third class offices. In the proposed bill
there was inserted for this purpose the
sum OF S6j0,G07. Heretofore the post
master OF third class Office was compelled
TO pay for these items from his salary.
In the appropriation for clerks In posi-
oliccs there was substantial increase OF
-. al tl,. f..f
the Postmaster. General and which was re-
quired 10 meet the increasing needs OF the
business.
In reply tc !. question from Mr.. Ianham,
OF Texas, Mr. Blount stated that while the
committee ON posioilices and postroads
was In favor Of increasing the compensa.
ton of iourih-class postmasters, II was
stopped by the rules Of the House from
incorporating provision 10 that effect In
the appropriation bill, but he thought that
the committee would bring In before long
a measure TO increase the compensation OF
postmasters OF that class. The increase Of
S777, 800 In the appropriation for the free
delivery service Mr.. Blount explained 10
be due not NO much 10 q proposed increase
OF the service ~ 10 the provisions OF the
act Of January 3 1887, providing Tor the
classification, promotion and salaries OF
letter carriers.
Mr.. Cox, Of New York, inquired whether
there wns any prospect OF the committee
ON postolhces and postroads reporting a
measure 10 classify railway mail clerks and
postal clerks 10 rs 20 give hcm proper
compensation.
Mr. Blount replied that that matter was
being considered by a subcommittee, and
he did not feel authorized 90 make any
statement as 10 the prospect OF its being
acted upon. There were organizations
among the postal clerks, among the post
office clerks and among railroad clerks for
the purpose OF securing an Increase OF sal
AIRY. They did not come before the COM
mIiicc but were In the habit OF iormulat-
ing their bills and placing them In the
hands Of some prominent member, and IN
this way they expected 20 drive Congross
10 conclusions contrary 10 the proper
methods of legislation. so far as he was
concerned, he represented not the Office
holders alone but the great mass OF the
people who paid the taxes, aud he would
oppose any unreasonable increase OF sal
aries.
Mr.. Lind, Of Minnesota, spoke In be.
half Of the fourth class postmastcrs, aud
favored q proposed amendment providing
that iourih.class postmaster shall rcccivc
500 year In addition 10 the fees he now
receives.
Mr.. Montgomery, Of Kentucky, held
that the bill was faulty. only because Il did
not treat the postal service with sufficient
libcrality. However, n step In the right
din,ction had been made IN increasing the
compensation Of iourth-class postmasters.
Too little attention had been given 20 the
people who had 10 ride four or FIVE miles
10 country posioiice 20 get their mail,
and too much 90 the people who lay In
bed. u they choose, 81 read the letter.
handed In the door by the letter carrier.
Mr. Perkins Of Kansas, referred 60 the
reply Of the Postmaster. General 20 his RS
olution OF inquiry into the alleged miscon.
duct Of the western mail service, which hc
said had not been laid before the House
for action.
Mr.. Blount explained that the matter
would have been reported 90 the llouss
from the comtni,ic but for the pro,rac,cd
tnnn debate.
Mr. Peters, Of Kansas, was clad that III,
bill contained an appropriation for rnt
Hight and fuel Tor thirl-class posiolliccs
aud he advocated the proposition To pay
stated sum 10 i0ufth-class postmaslen II
addition To the fees now received by them
1870 " tNNAAf NhlfAN'h w AllAA lltlt
OF The bill proyidingi or rent, light and fuc
for thlrdclass Offices, and referred 10 ia,
convention OF the postmastcru ui that cia,
a. icing characterised OF Democratic oilier
holders.
Amer further debate, the bin was mad b
sections for amendment.
Mr.. kou moved 10 strike ont the appro
priaton for rent, light and fuel for third
class posioficcs. Lost.
Mr.. Mcliae, Of Arkansas, offered ~
amendment providing that iourth-clas
posimaslers shall receive SO year In MI
dition 10 the compensation allowed undo
existing law. Ruled out on n point Of OF
der
Mr. Adams, Of Illinois. moved 10 IN
F. crease from $1,000. 900 20 81, 2O0, O00t the M
preparation for the FREQ delivery service
Rejected
MIR. Mciae, Of Arkansas, moved 10 IN
CREASE from ~, 400, 900 20 5000, 600 the nj
preparation for star route service. hi
motion was advocated by Mesrs. McIla,
Symca and Perkins, hut was rejected.
Pending final disposition Of the Bit
the committee rose and the House a,
journed.
Capital Notes.
II Il stated nj army headquarters thi
49, 49,