The Washington critic., 1890-02-09
GEMS FROM THE RECORD.


GEMS FROM The RECORD.
Mr.. Cutcheon, from the House Com
mittee on Military Affairs, has reported
bill to establish the Office of Assistant Sec
retary of War. With Senator Blackburn
declaring that, If he were a member of the
House, he would mop the floor with
Speaker Reed, the necessity for haste in
the passage of some measure to increase
the efficiency and scope of the Department
of War is as obvious as the Washington
Monument.
Some idea of the amount Of persistency
and energy required to introduce a com
mon-place fact to the perception OF Repre-
sentative Cannon may be secured from the
report of the debate between himself and
Representative Tracey which occurred in
the House on Friday last. Mr.. Tracey
was favoring a bill TO reimburse an Albany
postmaster in the sum of $3,S36.G0, that
being the amount in stamps which was
stolen from the Albany postoiiice by an out
side burglar during that postmaster's adj
ministratioD. Mr.. Cannon opened the ball
by remarking that years ago there was
master-General to afford relief to post
masters where losses are sustained without
negligence or fault on their part. To this
Mr.. Tracey replied that the general law
limits the amount which can be allowed by
the Postmaster General to $4,000. The
amount Of loss to the Albany postmaster
was 81, 100 net, and he was perfectly willing
to submit to the personal loss of Sl60 IL he
could be allowed the 81 900 under the gen
arol low but tba VI mont hp11 tbat In
asmuch as the actual loss exceeded -, 600
it would be necessary to have action by
Congress before the claim could be allowed.
The remainder of the struggle between
Representative Cannon and the Fact eau
not be abridged
Mr. CANNON. The gentleman now says
that the general law allows this man to be
reimbursed by the Postmaster-General.
Mr.. TRACEY. No; / say the general law
'oso Mr.. 7 CANNON. The gentleman has Just
said that il allows reimbursement up to the
amount of So 900
Mr. TRACEY But when the amount of the
loss exceeds $4,000. the. General
is not permitted tn act In the matter at all.
The postmaster at Albany would have been
very willing to have submitted to the loss of
S1G0, which was the amount above $4,000;
but the Department ruled that they could
not act on the case at all because the
amount of the actual loss exceeded $4,000.
| Mr.. CANNON. would be glad TO know
whether there was any negligence in this
case. In other words, why does the gentle
man from New York bring in a bill here to
relieve this man when there is general law
| providing for relief where the losses have
| occurred without any fault on the part Of the
officer.
Mr.. TRACEY. The gentleman from Illinois
| is not doing Justice to the claimant when he
insists that there is general law which Is
applicable. because as | have already said
| the general law does not apply to q case OF
| this kind. The general law permits the treat
ment of no case by the Department. where
the amount of the robbery exceeds $4,000.
Whether or not Representative Cannon
at this iuncture really came to understand
the $4,000 limit to the general law, which
Representative Tracey had been throwing
| at him for q long time in every possible
way, will never be known. Mr.. Cannon
gave no intelligent sign. He simply re
marked, in vague and ruminant way
"The robbery appears to have been il
broad daylight"
The Congressman may have his disad
vantages, but then he has his emoluments
Congress has just voted to each of its mem
bers printed copy of the report of tn,
Geological Park Commission. To thos,
members, however, who possess the Con
gressional Directory it would seem a
though the report of the Geological Com
mission would come with all the enuui OF
twice-toid tale.
Here is Congressional brilliant. The
were discussing bill for an increase o
pensions:
Mr.. TURNER of New York. ] wish to asl
what particular service general law vii
he 70 this old hero If 1t shall be passed abou
three months after he is dead.
! Mr.. HEARD. / answer the gentleman tina
it will do him Just as much good as it woul
do any other man in that class under lik
j conditions.
| There are no flights of fancy about MI
i Heard.
"The bill that passed the House on ye,
terday, said Representative Kerr, twas O
i somewhat similar character. In that bill
we allowed 81, 200 for three old mules am
horses" There will be no question of
surplus in the next campaign If the suppl
OF old horses and mules holds out.
This is the way they get around the Cor
stitutional question Of quorum in til
House on days when there is no political e1
element:
Mr.. KILGoRE. Mr. Speaker, demand
The House divided; and there were-aye
81, noes II,
Mr.. KILGoRE. make the point of n
quorum.
The SPEAKER. The Chair is in doubt a
to whether a quorum be present, and tn
gentleman from Texas, Mr.. KILGoRE, an
the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr., ENLoE
will please act as tellers to ascertain whethe
a quorum is present.
Mr.. KIIGORE. / withdraw the point {
no quorum.
The SPEAKER. The point of no quorul
Is withdrawn, and the bill is passed.