Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-05-24
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
AND ITS CONNECTION WITH THE
POSToFFICE DEPARTMENT
Touched Upon in the House-Mr. Dockery
Thinks Cleveland VIII be Elected on
Tho Reform Platform-Postonice APP
preparation Ohio Pensions = Medals
for Enlisted Mon of the Ninety Days
Service.

WASHINGTON, May 4-The time of the
House yesterday was taken up in discuss
ing the postoffice appropriation bill. Final
action was deferred. The House passed
Senate bills granting right of way through
the Lac Detiameau Indian reservation in
Wisconsin and to the Milwaukee, Lake
Shore & Western Railroad Compuny, and
authorizing the Leavenworth City and Fort
Leavenworth Water Company to purchase
a portion of the Fort Leavenworth Mill
tary reservation. The House then went
into Committee of the Whole on the post
office appropriation bill.
Mr.. Blont explained that the bill carried
an appropriation of $50, OS5, $40, or an in
crease of 81, 34l, 100 for the current fiscal
year made necessary by the enlargement of
the service OF this sum $3.50, 607 is appro-
priated for light and fuel at third class Of
fees; an increase of $4,000 for clerks in
postoffices and an increase of $777 500 for
the free delivery services. The bill was
discussed at length.
Mr.. Perkins of Kansas, criticised it, say
ing that the present administration had
Disseminated against the western country.
Mr.. Lodge of Massachusetts,, thought that
the Government was paying the railroads
five or six millions year more than it
ought to pay. He thought that legislation
should be enacted to remedy the inability
of the Government to secure fast mail facil-
tiles between New York and Bsston.
During he discussion, Mr.. Belden of New
York remarked that the trouble with the
postoffice department lay in the civil SER
vice reform policy.
Mr.. Dockery of Missouri, said that he was
in favor of the doctrine that the party in
power should be responsible to the s,eople.
Mr.. Bingham, of Pennsylvania. ssid that
the gentleman was in accord with fhe ad-
ministration in his views on civil service
reform. Almost all the postmasters in the
country had been changed.
Mr.. Dockery said that the gentleman
will find, before the ides of November
come, that all the wings of the Democratic
party will be Tapping together and we will
re-elect Grover Cleveland, Notwithstanding
that some of us may not agree with him in
regard to civil service reform.
Mr. Kerr-Will you elect him on civil
service platform?
Mr.. Dockery-0h. l suppose 50. There
is no trouble about that We will elect
him. Nsughter.)
After further debate the bill was read by
sections for amendment
Mr.. Kerr moved TO strike out the appro-
priation for rent, light and fuel for third
class postoffices. Lost.
Mr.. McRae, of Arkansas. offered an
amendment providing that fourth class
postinasters shall receive compensation Of
$40 year in addition TO the compensation
allowed under existing law. Ruled out on
point of order.
Pending final disposition of the bill the
committee rose. On motion of Mr.. Bacon,
of New York. a resolution was adopted
calling on the Secretary of War for copies
of all reports made by the engineer officers
relating to the present condition of the
work on the monument at Washington's
headquarters at Newburch, n. Y. The
House adjourned at 5 o'clock.
The senate.
The session of the Senate was dull and
brief; only one hour and brief; only one
hour and twenty minutes being occupied
in the transaction OF business in both regu-
lar and secret session.
Bills were reported from committees and
placed on the calender as follows: For an
examination and settlement Of the claims
of certain States and the city of Baltimore,
for expenditures in the war of 1872, and to
authorize the Pares Little Rock & Choctaw
railway company to construct railway
through the Indian Territory.
Mr.. Mcpherson introduced joint reso-
tion which was referred, providing for
medals for officers and enlisted men OF the
three months service in 1861.
At 1890 the Senate, on motion of Mr..
Sherman, went into secret session. The
doors were reopened at / 20 and after some
routine business had been disposed of, Mr..
Spooner rose and referring to the death Of
the wife of Mr.. Sawyer, said as many Of
the Senators desired to attend the funeral
at O'Clock, he moved the Senate adjourn.
The motion was carried and the Senate ad-
iourned.