Evening star., 1894-03-24
The Post Office Appropriation Bill in
the House.
THE RAILROAD COMPENSATION CLAUSE
A Lively Debate Ensues on the
Subject.
AMEN DMENTS PROPOSE ID

There were less IMAM my hioiiii' ~
the floor when the House met this MORN
ing.
Mr.. PAGE Or. L. asked unanimous con-
sent for the consideration OF biA 10 coh-
struct a life-eaving station on the Green
Hill coast, near South Kingston, X. l.
Mr.. Sayers CTex.) objected.
On motion of Mr.. Daizell PaD bill was
passed authorizing the West Braddoch'
Pa, Bridge Company to construct pridse
across the MononSahela river
Mr.. Maddox (GaD asked unanimous con-
ST MT for the consideration of joint reso-
luton directing the Secretary Of the Navy
to declare a vacancy at the Naval Academy
from the seventh Georgia district. MI.
Maddox explained that eX-Secretary Tracy
had appointed George B. stone OF WASH
iIgton, in 1890. to fill the vacancy from
this district.
MIR. Dingley thought ii would be pecu-
liar hardship to dismiss this young man
after being three years at the academy.
Mr.. Hopkins thought the proper way 10
correct this abuse of the power or the
Secretary of the Navy was by the passage
of general bill, not by special bills, ana
he therefore objected.
Post Office Appropriation Bill.
The House then went into committee oI
the whole for the consideration OF the
post office appropriation bin. The amount
carried by the bill Is $S7. .4IH, ,J9J-S3, l2o5Oo
less than the estimates. The SUN appro-
priated for the current fiscal year was sSi,-
oO4314 Mr. Kyle tNliss.) and Mr.. Loud
(CalD made a minority report against the
appropriation of Sl9J,6l4 Included IN the
bill for necessary and special mail facl-
tiles On trunk lines" The estimated postal
revenues for the next fiscal year VIII dg-
gresate $s4, ISi, leaving a deficiency OF
$3,1i2,Sjl to be- appropriated out OF the
treasury.
Mr. Henderson tN.C). chairman of the
post office and post roads committee IN
charge of the Dill made short explana-
ton of the appropriations carried by 1t, in
the course of which ne attributed the estl-
mated deficiency in the postal receipts 10
the general business depr 4ssion. Alr. Can
non criticised some of the reductions made
by .,he bill The amount appropriated for
railroad transportation, $25,5O0,uU-sl, 4Vo.
600 less than Ine estimates-ne predicted
would re inadequate, and would have TO be
met next year By a deficiency appropria-
ton.
Mr.. Kyle in Opposition.
Mr. Kyle (Miss), wbi signed the minor
ity report against the appropriation oi
Sl96,614 for special mail facilities, then took
the floor in opposition to this proposition
The appropriation was for special facilities
from Springfield. Mass, via New York, and
Washington to Atlanta and New Orleans
He thought the principle that recognized th'
| right of the government to discriminate IN
| favor of the individual or enterprise or cor.
/ poration was indefensble upon any line OF
| fairness or justice.
Furthermore the Postmas ster General, aftel
| a careful consideration of the subject, die
not recommend the continuance OF such ar
appropriation. His reports showed that tn,
railroad lines heretofore the benefciaries o.
/ this fund, but not now receiving any par
/ of II, are rendering equally as good, If no
/ better. service than that rendered by then
I during the time they NJ. rti Tod in
/ railroad lines of the west did not receiv,
/ any extra compensation. Postmaster Gen
eral Dickinson condemned the principle in
volved in such appropriation as demoraliz
/ Ing to the service. Postmaster Genera
! Wanamaker declared that II hampered tn,
best interests of the mail service and Post
master General Bissell thought it unneces
/ sary. Mr.. Kyle declared this appropria ito,
: utterly and absolutely indefensible
/ The Richmond and Danyille had rsa,
every effort to secure this appropriation
| Every influence had been brought to bea r
ana IL was IN the bill today. AS far as thi
road was concerned. the subsidy had no
| expedited the mails The scheduled tim
! made by the Richmond and Danville rail
road from New York to New Orleans wa
today ten minutes slower than before i
got the subsidy. He had been appealed &
| not to oppose this appropriation becaus
1t went to the south He didn't care wha
section got it. 1t was vicious and njusti
fable in principle.
| No official from the Post Office Denart
ment had the hardihood to come before tn
committee and ask for this appropriate ;ion
Where the Pressure Comes From.
Then where does the pressure com
from?" asked Mr.. Coombs On W
From the railroads." replied Mr.. Kyle
emphatically.
The railroads participating N this move
ment continued Mr. Kyle were the Penn
sylvania, Richmond and Danvi,le. the AT
lanta and West Point, Nest Alabama an
Louisville and Nashville.
In the present depressed condition of al
fairs, when bonds were being issued and
debt saddled upon the future genera tions
he thought Congress should not invite tn
railroad companies to come and put The
hands in the public treasury.
Mr.. Loud California; who followed Nj
Kyle, after a few genarll words in suppoi
of liberal appropriation for the postal sci
| vice, In the course of which he especial
criticised the reduction IN the appropris
tions for postmasters, railroad transports
ton. car service and ocean service, visol
ously opposed this appropriation for speci;
, mail facilities
! An Amendment to Increase SaIarie
, General debate was then closed exec,
on this item for special mail facilities, an
the bill was read by paragraphs for amen,
e n.ent under the tive-minute rule. Mr. LoI
4 offered an amendment to increase the a.
. preparation for compensation TO postmaste
n from $16.0OU.u0O TO s11.2.O. 100.
o The amendment was rejecred. Mr. Bowe
n (Cal) moved to reduce the appropriation
q for rent, light and fuel Of lirSt and secon,
: class post offices from SS45,,ayO to Si4J, 20
n 1t was defeated, as was also his arHen
f ment to reduce the appropriation for mi
n cellareous items for first AMI seccnd-cla
!. offices from S1I0.OO0 to $i0,pU Mr. Mos
offered an amendment % set aside 500
for TIE purpose of free leliSery eyperimen
in rural districts, other than towns al
villages.