National Republican., 1888-03-30

postal treaty was one Of those which did not
require ratification, but which was entirely
under the control of the executive branch
Of the government. His resolution was In
no way offensive, but only asked for in
formation OF which he thought the House
should be in possession. If the Postofllce
Department had blundcred into making a
treaty which was beneficial to Canadian
seedsmeen, why should not American citi-
zens have an equal showp Was there any
thing so attractive in azure that the govern
meDt was compelled to give the blue noses
an advantage over Americans, whose noses
were not so bluep
Mr.. Blount, of Georgia, said that while
the resolution purported to ask for informa-
tion, he undertook to say that there was
not gentleman In the House, who was in
terestcd In the matter, who had not that in
formation now. He defended the Postmas-
ter General, and was then proceeding to
read letter from that official bearing upon
the subject when he was interrupted by
Mr.. Reed, of Maine, who was seated near by.
Mr.. Blount refused. to be interrupted,
which called forth the exclamation ''natur-
ally" from Mr.. Reed. Mr.. Blount retorted
that the gentleman was always interiecting
himself into everybody's speech in a rude
way, and that he would proceed in order
without being deferred by the gentleman.
When Mr.. Blount concluded his remarks,
from Georgia had first told the House that
II was In possession of all the information
on the subject, and then proceeded to read
a private letter from the Postmaster General
giving further information. He (Mr. Reed)
did not wonder that the calm temper Of the
gentleman was ruflled when he called atten-
tion TO that fact; but he could not pardon
the gentleman his slight attempt of i'll
temper which had allowed him to wander
into the region of exaggeration-not to use
broader term-and say that he (Mr. Reed)
was In the habit Of mingling In all speeches
made In the House.
Mr.. Bingham, of Pennsylvania, said he
wanted all the facts the department could
give. '...
Mr. Peters, of Kansas, wished to amend
the resolution by striking out the
words which were considered to- reflect
upon the Postofllce Department, but was
not permitted to present the amendment
The resolution was tabled-yeas 125, nays
1872
Mr.. Sowden, of Pennsylvania, rose TO pre-
sent resolution bearing on the same sub
ject, but Mr.. Reed demanded the regular
order.
Mr.. Randall then moved to reconsider the
vote by which the resolution was tabled,
stating that his object was to get in re-
spuctful resolution of inquiry.
Mr.. Reed demanded the yeas and nays,
saying that he did not wonder the brethren
wanted to explain.
The motion to reconsider was lost>-yeas
1913, nays l27
Mr. Clements, of Georgia, from the com
mittee on appropriations, reported the Dis
trict of Columbia appropriation bill. Com
mittee Of the whole.
The House then went into committee of
the whole (Mr. Springer, of Illinois, in the
chair) on the Indian appropriation bill.
In the general debate that followed Mr..
Nelson, Of Minnesota, delivered himself Of a
speech in which he advocated low tariff that
looked too suspiciously like free trade to
arouse any enthusiasm among Republicans.
The Democrats howled and laughed as their
feelings on Mr.. Nelson's uttcrances moved
them, and more than one of them offered
him a seat on their side of the chamber.
Mr.. Funston, of Kansas, attempted to put
some questions to Mr.. Nelson, but the latter
remarked that the gentleman could have the
| floor to himself and took his seat not reply
| ing to Mr.. Funston's challenge as to why he
did not put wheat on the free list.
The committee then rose, and the House
at 5:15 adjourned.