Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-23
CUTTING APPROPRIATIONS.
THE HOUSE OBJECTS TO THE sENATE's
EXPENDITURES.

| Pruning the River and Harbor Bill-Con.
gressmau Mason Makes n Charge
Against the Postofice Department-Hs
Thinks II is Subjected to Improper In
| fuences.
WASHINGTON, August 22.-Mr. Butter.
worth, OF Ohio, submitted to the House the
Conference report on the bill making the
appropriation for an increased clerical force
to carry out the provisions of the Dependent
Pension law, and it was agreed to.
Mr.. Henderson, of Illinois, submitted the
report of the Committee on Rivers and Har-
bors on the Senate amendment to the river
J and harbor bill, recommending non-con-
currence in these amendments, and agree.
ing to the conference asked by the Senate.
Mr.. Kerr, of Iowa, raised the point oi
order that the amendments must first be
considered by committee of the whole. This
point being sustained by the Speaker, the
House resolved itself into committee of the
whole for the consideration OF the measure.
Mr.. Henderson said that Senate amend
ments increased the appropriation carried
by the bill about S., 900, 600. 1t was this in
crease which the committee asked the House
to non-concur in.
LOOKING OUT FOR ASHTABULA.
Mr.. Burton, of Ohio, endeavored vainly
to secure a concurrence in the Senate
amendment increasing from $40, 900 to $40, :
600 the appropriation for the improvement
of Ashtabula harbor.
The Senate amendment providing for the
purchase OF Portage Lake and River I'm
provement Company canal, and the Lake
I'm chi oI Poll
Company canal was non-concurred in.
Mr.. Snyder of Minnesota, advocated the
adoption of the Senate amendment making
an Appropriation for improvement of ST.
Mary's river. He was seconded by Mr..
Comstock, of Minnesota, but the amend
ment was non-coucurred in.
After non-concurring in abont halt of the
Senate amendments the committee rose.
Mr.. Mason, of Illinois, rising to a ques-
ton OF privilege, said that some days ago a
resolution had been adopted alleging that a
certain gentleman had been fraudulently
using the mails to create a sentiment in
favor of the Conger lard bill, and calling
on the Postofice Department for informa-
ton on the subject
POINTED CHARGE.
The resolution had been sent to the Post
OuSC OepdIluucH6 Will TIE TtQucSt tte
papers in regard to the matter be trans
mitted promptly. This had not been done.
He had called at the Department three or
four times, and had been informed that
probably the papers would not be sent up
until Saturday night. Then they would be
of no use. as the previous question on thebill
was ordered at P. M. tomorrow. His
charge was that improper influence had
been brought to bear upon department of
the Government to retain certain papers in
its possession. Influence, social or political,
had been brought to bear to withhold from
the members of the House information in
regard to pending legislation. The Chief
Clerk of the Postofice Department had
denied him access TO the papers for the pur-
pose of making copies of them for use in
the debate. He wanted the facts brought
before the House, and he moved that COM
mittee of three members be appointed to
wait upon the Postmaster General and ask
that the papers be furnished in time to be
used in the debate.
PASSING PENSION BILLS.
Before any action was taken the House
took recess, the evening session to be for the
consideration of private pension bills.
At this session the House passed (on mo-
tion of Mr.. O'Neill, OF Pennsylvania a
bill granting a pension of $50 month to
Caroline H. White, widow OF George B.
White, late chief of the Bureau of Yards
and Docks. Thirty-two other private PEN
sion bills were passed.