The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-16
The POSTAL BILL PASSED
Efforts to Reduce Compensation of
Railroads Are UnayaiIing.
CARS PURCHASED EACH YEAR
The Government Will Continue to Pay
Rent in Excess Of the Cost of Mail
Cars-Sugar Bill Reported
Favorably.
BY the United Press,

BY the United Press.
Washington, Feb. 15.-The last steps
were taken by the senate today in the
disposition Of the postoffice appropria-
ton bill which has been under con-
sideration every day since Monday. A
final effort was made on the part of the
committee on appropriations to reduce
the compensation Of the railroad COM
panies for the use of postal cars, in the
shape of an amendment offered by Mr.
Blackburn, Kentucky, to cut down the
appropriation of $S,205, 900 to the extent
Of 10 per cent; and the senate decided
against it. 1t had previously rejected
a similar proposition which had come
over from yesterday and which applied
only to the fast mail service from
Springfield. Mass, to Atlanta and New
Orleans. Then an effort was made by
Mr.. Brice, Ohio, to have the $l96,0O0
which is appropriated for this latter
service divided with similar fast line
in the west, from Ohio to Florida. But
this met with no more favor than the
others and was laid on the table. And
then the bill was passed
The agricultural appropriation bill
followed, and had not been finally acted
on when the senate adjourned at 5.55.
There was considerable discussion over
an amendment reported from the com
mittee on appropriations for a modiii-
cation of the law relating to the inspec-
ton of cattle and meats for eXporta-
ton; and Mr.. Platt, Connecticut, op-
posed any change in the law that
looked to the propitiation of Germany.
This amendment and others relating to
irrigation, plants and seeds, etc, went
over to be discussed and acted on to-
morrow.
The house bill to abolish the diiferen-
tial duties on sugar was reported ia
vorably, and without amendment from
the finance committee. and was placed
on the calendar, with resolution Of
fered by Mr.. Aldrich, Rhode island, to
re-commit 1t with instructions looking to
the re-enactment of the reciprocity and
sugar bounty provisions of the Mckin-
ley act, and to the re-impostion of a
duty on wool.
House Proceedings.
After the passage of few private
bills at the opening of the session the
house proceeded to consider the naval
appropriation bill. BY agreement gen
eral debate was ordered to be closed
at 2 O'Clock tomorrow. The discussion
today was devoted to the paragraph
prviding for the increase of the navy
by the construction of three battle
ships and nine torpedo boats. This was
advocated by Messrs. Pendleton Dem-
ocrat, West virginia. Dolliver Repub-
lican, Iowa,) Money Democrat, Missis-
sippi,) Weadock Democrat, Michigan,)
and Meyer Democrat, LouisianaD and
opposed by Messrs. Simpson Populist,
Kansas,) and Everett democrat,
Massachusetts,)
A conference was ordered on the SEN
ate amendments to the house joint
resolution, extending for this year only
from March 10 to April 10, the time
within which income tax returns may
be made.
At s o'clock under the rule the house
took a recess until s o'clock, the even
ing session to be for the consideration
Of private pension bills.
No Extra Session.
There Will be no further financial leg
islation attempted by the house at this
session. The defeat of two banking
bills and one bond bill In quick success
sion satisfies the Democratic leaders
that majority Of the house cannot be
brought to the support Of any measure
The members of the house are now
looking forward with impatience to ad-
journment and the committee on rules
IL constantly importuned for special
orders for certain important bills that
have not yet received consideration by
the house, but which can be rushed
through the senate 1t isbelieved, If they
can reach that body during the last
week of the session. One of these Is the
naval reorganization bill and another
Is the Nicaragua canal bill. All talk
OF an extra session has ended. and II
Is believed that when congress ad-
journs on March next It will not be
asked to convene again until the regu-
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