National Republican., 1888-01-31
THE SENATE And House.
AN ADVERSE REPORT ON ONE CENT
LETTER POSTAGE.
Senator Plumb Criticises the " Demo-
cratized" Mall Service of the Coun-
try-The Blair Bill Under FIre-Lsg-
islatioD In the House.

in adjusting and paying the claim Of Massa-
chusetts for moneys expended In coast de-
fensee. The secretary expressed the opinion
that the claim will be taken up and ad
justed during the present session Of Con-
gress, and in time for an appropriation.
Referred to committee on appropriations.
Also from the Secretary Of War in reply
to Mr. Mitchell's resolutions as to salmon
fisheries In the Columbia river, In Oregon
and Washington territory, and as to the
Fort Canby military reservation. Referred.
Also, from the Secretary Of the Interior
in reply to Mr.. Plumb's resolution as 10
ejectments from lands OF the Chippewa
and Muncio Indians in Kansas.
Among the petitions aRd memorials pre-.
aented and referred were the following:
OF the National Board Of Trade, in favor
OF reciprocal trade relations between the
United States and Canada.
From various states 10 favor of prohibit
tlon in the District Of Columbia; OF copy
right law; of the proposed international
exposition, and OF constitutional amend
ment against the liquor traffic.
Mr.. Hoar, from the committee on privi-
leges and elections, reported proposed
constitutional amendment as to the meeting
OF Congress, and said he would ask the
Senate to take It up and deal with It to day.
Mr.. Sawyer, from the postoffice commit
tee, reported back adversely the proposi-
tion to reduce letter postage to cent. He
stated, In reply to Mr.. Beck, that the COM
mittee bad made no written report, but that
1t did not think It prudent to attempt to
reduce postage at present. The Postof1lce
Department was still running behind, and
It was thought better to wait until It was
selt-sustaining before any further reduction
Of postage was attempted.
Mr.. Hoar desired to have put on record
his belief that 1t was the duty OF the gov
erDment and the interest Of the people to
have postage reduced to one cent. He be.
lieyed that the Postoflice Department would
rapidly become self. lf.sustaining at that rate;
but even 1t not, the direct benefit in binding
the country closer together would more
than compensate for any deficit.
Mr.. Beck said he could not understand
how the government could afford to carry
bonnets and harness and merchandise all
over the country for cent an ounce aud
not be able to carry the intelligence Of the
people at the same rate.
Mr.. Platt expressed his dissent from the
proposition that the rate Of postage ought
to be considered at all with reference TO the
question whether the Postoffice Depart
ment was self.supporting or not. The
people desired the best and cheapest postal
service, and did not insist upon the depart
ment being self-sustaining.
Mr.. salisbury, member Of the post
Office committee, said that the committee
was not prepared to advise the reduction Of
letter postage, because 1t would involve
very considerable amount, which would
to be appropriated by Congress to sus.
tain the Postofflce Department.
Mr.. Beck said 1t was not scheme to de-
plete the treasury. He would have the
adverse report placed on the calendar so
that 1t might be discussed.
The report was placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Manderson offered resolution call
Ing on the Secretary Of the Interior for
Information as to the sale OF public lands In
Nebraska; and whether 8 per cent. OF the
net proceeds has been paid to the state.
Laid over.
Mr.. Plumb offered a resolution instruct
Ing the postoflice committee to inquire into
the causes Of the inefficient mail service,
especially In the west and south; and pre-
sented newspaper extracts and letters to
show the "Democratized" condition OF the
service In Kansas-the result Of o "stupid
attempt to make record of economy"
He said that the late Postmaster General
had seemed to be possessed Of frantic
effort to make both ends meet; and that he
had in that effort deprived the people OF
what they always had had until within q
short period OF time. The postal service In
the west had got to that point where its
condition was absolutely unbearable. The
resolution went over.
Mr.. Frye offered resolution instructing
the committee on foreign relations to have
prepared a statement embracing o large
amount OF information as to Canada and It's
trade.
The House bill making appropriations to
carry into effect the law establishing ex-
perimental stations at the agricultural col
leges was reported from the committee on
appropriations and passed with an amend
ment appropriating the money from the
treasury directly Instead Of devoting the
proceeds Of the sale of public lands to the
purpose).
The Senate then took up the Blair educa.
tional bill, and Mr.. Morgan addressed the
Senate In opposition to IL.
Ke concluded by expressing the hope
thAth6.in,s..-. again should be called upon
to speak on the Blair bill.
Mr.. Evsrts took the floor and announced
bis Intention to speak upon the bill to-
morrow.
Mr.. Blair referred to statement circu.
lating through the press as to ex-Justice
Stropg, Of the Supreme Court, having de.
clared himself against the constitutionality
Of the bill. He had taken pains to speak
to Mr.. Strong personally, so that he might
be able to deny authoritatively the I'm
probable statement that Mr.. Strong said he
had spoken with members OF the Supreme
Court on the subject. He had 1t from Mr..
Stropg's own lips that he had had no con,
versation with any OF the justices OF the
Supreme Court about the bill, and knew
nothing whatever Of their opinions about
1t.
Mr.. Vest asked Mr.. Blair whether Judge
Strong had not stated to law class In
constitutional. Mr.. Blair replied In the
negative. Judge Strong had told him tina,
he made no allusion whatever to the bill In
any lecture, but that when his lecture wat
over one Of the students asked him what ht
thought of the constitutionality of thu
Blair bill, and that his reply was that he
doubted its constitutionality. He (Mr
Blalr) had never heard any Republican ex-
press doubt as to the constitutionality o.
the bill. Doubts had been expressed by
Republicans Of Its propriety and its neces
eity, but not of It's constitutionallty. HI
held In his hand memorial OF the trus
tees Of the Peabody fund lin 1SS0) signed
by Robert g. Winthrop, Mr.. Waite, (nov
chief justice OF the Supreme Court), ant
grant aid to secure to the colored people
OF the Southern States the education nee
essary to fit them for the discharge OF thei
duties as citizens Of the United States.
Mr.. Reagan remarked that the gentleman
who signed that memorial repudiated thu
idea that the appropriation whlch thel
asked should be followed into the states bl
Congressional legislation.
Mr.. Blair recalled to those who were ar
guing against the bill through the news
papers the "exceedingly able constitutions
argument made In the Senate by the pres
ent junior justice of the Supreme Cour
(Mr. Lamar).
Mr.. Edmunds offered resolution, whiel
was adopted, calling on the commissioner
Of agriculture for the reports made b,
making.
At 4;30 the Senate ION motion of Mr.
Morrill), proceeded to executive business
and at B20 adjourned.