The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-02-16
WASHINGTON.
Yesterdays Proceedings in the
Senate and House-The Aus
tin Donstlon Bill,
Savers and Culberson Before the
Committee in Favor of Gal
weston and Deep Water.
FIFTIETH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

oENAAG'
WASHINGTON, February l4.--Among tht
bills reported from the committees ahs
placed on the calendar were the follow
ing:
10 authorize the secretary of war to
aonvey to the city of Austin, Tex, 9
tract of land for educational purposes.
10 authorize the sale to aliens of certain
mineral lands,
RESOLUTIONS instructing the committee
Ga commerce, i'll reporting river and har-
b0r bills Ito set out important facts bear
ing on each item), was reported by Sena-
to- Jones, of Nevada, and agreed to.
among the bills introduced and referred
were the following:
49, Senator Cullom-For compensation
for lervices of female nurses during the
wo~ of the rebellion.
Senator Blackburn offered q resolution
declaring it not in order Except by unani-
uoas consent) for the committee on ap-
propriations to report to the senate for
confederation or action any general ap-
preparation bill without having it under
cor Iteration for ten days or more. Re
gerred to the committee on rules.
The resolution for inquiry into the
causes of inefficient mail service was taken
mp, and Senator Plumb (who had intro.
duoed it) said if Senator Reagan's argu-
nent yesterday in defense of the post
master general meant anything, it
waF that that officer pleaded the
aahy act; that he was bur-
dened with incompetent republican clerks.
There was no restraint on the postmaster
gen raj as to the dismissal of the clerks.
No epublican asked to have them re
tanned. As to the fact that the service
was d-inexcusably bad-bad beyond
any previous record-tbere was no ques
ton ut all.7 =
sa GATOR Platt said that the trouble was
Goi sonfined to the west, and that scarcely
lay passed without his receiv-
ing letters from Connecticut max
ing similar complaints. He read
= etter from publishing house
in Iorwalk, speaking of the apparent
al .ganization of the whole postal sys
tem of the country" and ascribing it to
'be removal of experienced postal route
xgeats. -.....- ---.-
senator Reagan said If the complaints
Wh IN were sent to senators were sent to
the postofice department., they would be
A.." tl5blRdbou anu OOEIOObous Dub bu6y
9ors intended for political effect, and thel
speech of the senator from Kansas was
in ,he same direction. He repeated por-
tions of his defense of the department.,
made in his speech yesterday. He chal-
len yed a comparison of the department
under the present administration with
me same department in any previous
period, and he asserted his belief that the
attack was owing 10 the success of the ad-
ninistration and to the contrast which it
offered in the way of success and econ
Somy to its republican predecessors.
Senator Plum disclaimed all intention
to produce any partisan matter in the
discussion, end said the most searching
attack on the department which he had
quoted was from democratic paper.
Senator Manderson expressed his sur
prise at Senator Reagan's suggestion that
the desire was rather to make political
capital than to correct earnestly andl
honestly an existing evil. AS to the sug-
gestion that complaints be made not to |
cor yress, but to the postoffice depart. |
nia4t, he said that complaints had been |
made to the department, but without eff
fec., and it seemed to him the most desi-
rabe shat citizens who had
cause to complain against an
executive department should bring
it before one or other branches of
congress. He repudiated the idea that he
vas actuated in this matter by any de-
sire to advance the interests of the politi-
cal party to which he belonged.
Senator Salisbury said that whatever
senators might think on the subject, the
paople at large would believe that the
arraignment of the postoffice department,
hed partisan object in view.
After further discussion the resolution
vent over without action.
The Blair educational bill was then
taken up as unfinished business.
Senator Hawley addressed the senate in
opposition to it. The bill went over until
to- morrow.
The bill appropriating $4,000 for a
sub tropical exposition at Jacksonville,
Fla, passed.
The bill to provide for the compulsory
education of Indian children was taken
from the calendar ard discussed at much
length by Senators Dawes, Seller, Cock