Morning journal and courier., 1888-05-24
Fiftieth Congressional Session.

WASHINGTON, May %.
HoUsE.-The House went into COMMITTEES
on the postofice appropriation bill.
Mr.. B1ount, of Georgia, explained that the
bill carried an appropriation of $50, 035, $40
against the previous appropriation of $55,
694, $50 He deemed it necessary to give the
causes for this increase The appropriation
for compensation of postmasters for 1855
was $11, zoo, 600. The sixth auditor stated
that the expenditures for this item in 1887
amounted to 81 ,929, 461, or 1925, 4S1 more
than the appropriation for 1888. At the
same time it appeared that while in 1886 the e
gross revenues increased at the rate Of $40
per cent, in 1887 the increase was 14.06 per
cent. The same large increase of receipts was
expected to take place in 1883. In the appro-
priation bill for 1888 there will be no
appropriation for rent, light and fuel at third
class offices. In the proposed bill there was
inserted for this purpose the sum of $3.50, GOT.
Heretofore the postmaster of third-elass
Office was compelled to pay for these items
from his salary. In the appropriation for
clerks in postofices there was a substantial
increase of $500, 000, which was made at
the request of the postmaster-general, and
which was required to meet the increasing
needs of the business. In reply to a ques-
ton from Mr.. Lanham of Texas, Mr.. Blount
stated that while the committee ON postoHces
and post roads was in favor of increasing the
compensation of fourth-class postmasters, it
was stopped by the rules of the House from in
cooperating provision to that effect in the
House appropriation bill but he thought
that the committee would bring in before
long motion to increase the compensation
of postmasters of that class. The increase
of $777, 900 in the appropriation for the free
delivery service Mr.. Blount explained to be
due not SO much to a proposed in
crease of the service as to the provisions OF
the act of January 3. 1887, providing for the
classification, promotion and salaries of let
ter carriers.
70 Mr.. Cox, of New York, inquired whether
there was any prospect of the committee on
postoffices and post roads reporting meas
ure to classify railroad mail clerks and postal
clerks so as to give them proper compensa-
ton.
Mr. Blount replied that the matter was be-
ing considered by a subcommittee, and he
did not feel authorized to make any state
ment as to the prospect of its being acted
upon. There were organizations among the
postal clerks, among postofice clerks and
among railway clerks for the purpose of Sc
curing an increase of salaries. They did not
come before the committee, but were in the
habit of formulating their bills and placing
them in the hands of some prominent mem
bers and in this way they expected to drive
Congress to conclusions contrary to the
proper methods of legislation. So far as he
was concerned, he represented, not the office
holders alone, but the great mass of the peo-
pie who paid the taxes, and he would with-
stand any unreasonable increase of salaries.
After debate the bill was read by sections
for amendment. Several amendments were
offered and rejected. Pending final dispo-
sition of the bill the committee rose and the
House adjourned.