The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-30


WASHINGTON, March 29.-Mr. Enloe of Ten
nessee. reported adversely resolution calling
upon the Postmaster-general for the following
information: First, what instructions, if any,
have been given to subordinate officers OF the
Postofice Department. intended to prohibit
American citizens from using the United States
mails on same terms Canadian citizens living
in the same vicinity and competing in business
with such American citizens. Second, whether
ary statute law prohibits the mailing in Canada
of seeds, plants and bulbs grown by Americans
on American soil Third, whether by the pro-
visions of the recent postal treaty. the officers
of the postal service of the United States are
authorized to place an espionage on Canadian
mails for the purpose of Determining whether
citizens of the United Safes are availing
themselves of the oenefcent provisions
accorded to Canadian citizens by che
postal treaty. The report accompanying the
resolution states that the resolution partakes
more of criticism of existing law. protest
the Postmaster-general for enforcing the law
than of proper resolution of inquiry. Mr..
Enloe said that the resolution reflected upon the
Postmaster-general by drawing inference
that be had violated the law by the issuing of a
certain order, and that it was intended to reflect
also upon the department., for the negotiation of
master-general had ample authority conferred
upon him by the fourth article of
the postal treaty to issue the
order complained Of It had been asserted
and it had been condemned attempt to dis
criminate against American citizens. similar
convention has been negotiated with Mexico,
and no complaint has been made in regard TO it.
According to the terms of the convention with
Canada, the United States got the postage upon
letters mailed in her own territory, while Can
ada got the postage on letters mailed on her
side of the border. As financial treaty it was
decidedly advantageous treaty TO this country;
il was wise treaty.
Mr.. Allen, of Massachusetts. thought that the
spectacle was unique one, of the majority
of a committee OF the House bringing in an adj
verse report upon resolution asking official in
formation from the head of a great department
of the government He did not think that the
House would indorse an adverse report upon
resolution calling for Information on a subject
which bore upon the interests of the
thousands of farmers who were anxious to know
what Congress was going to do. Such an action
by Congress would very properly be construed
by the people as being due to one of two reasons:
Either the majority desired to completely ignore
toe wishes of the minority, or desired to shield
some incompetent official. The Postmaster-gen-
eral, filled with the desire of Signalling his adj
ministratlon, or feeling that his name would
achieve higher notoriety if it could be linked
with great treaty, or filed with desire to
ulate his colleague at the head of the Depart
ment of State, had entered into negotiations
with Canada by which be was willing TO make
certain concessions to people who lived in that
country. The Villas postal treaty coDceiVed
the nurses and mdwives of the department were
promptly hand; they might have lacked
something in experience, but what they want
ed in skill they made up in enthusiasm.
The day OF labor came, and the
supreme moment arrived, and. amid general
ioicing, the poor little postal treaty of the
United States OF America and the Dominion of
Canada opened its weak watery eyes upon a
chserless world. 1t was such little one that it
did not attract much notice at the time outside
of the immediate family. 1t was not born with
o caul, like Mr.. Dickens's famous character but
it had protocol. on which emblazoned IN
proper heraldic tokens the whole genealogical
tree. The treaty went into effect on the 1st of
March. and about this time shrawd business
men discovered that postage seeds, etc,
Is cents IN America. while IN Canada il was but
cents. They discovered that men employed
in the seed business. or IN large advertise
ment business by having their work done in
Canada could avail themselves of the cheaper
postage prevailing there. and that the postal
revenues would be greatly reduced. The effect
upon the revenue was practically to turn over
some two or three millions annually to the Ca
madam government He did not know what this