The Portland daily press., 1896-04-08

Office Appropriation Bill Before Senate
| MIR. Villas Explains Part Relating to
Pay of Sub-station Postmasters.
Washington, April I'm the Senate
today, Mr.. Teller, Republican of Colo
rado, presented resolutions from branch
es of the American Federation of Labor
in various states for the free and unlim-
tied coinage of silver, without waiting
| for the aid of any other nation.
| Mr.. Butler, Populist, of North Caro-
lina introduced joint resolution pro-
posing an amendment to the constitu-
tlon of the United States, limiting the
Presidents veto power. 1t proposes that
Presidential veto may be overcome by
majority vote, instead of two-thirds
vote in both houses; also that all ord ers,
resolutions and votes to which concur
renee of both houses may be necessary,
except on gu estion of adjournment shall
be presented to the President and shall
be approved by him before they take
effect. 1t was referred.
The post office appropriation bill was
tax en- up, the pending question being
on the proposition as to the compensation
of clerks at postal station and sub-sta-
ton, involving the matter of the consoli-
| dation of post offices th roug hout the
| country.
Mr.. Villas, Democrat of Wisconsin,
made an explanation of the points at is
sue. He said that the proposition was q
very simple one 1t was mere provis-
| ion that the postmaster, who would be
payable out of the appropriation for post
masters salaries might be paid out OF
the appropriation for clerks, when the
tinued and Incorporated with some 9th er
Office.
After a long civil service discussion,
Mr.. Allison. Republican of Illinois,
moved to lay on the table, Mr.. Woloott'f
amendment to the post office appropria-
tion bill for the payment of postmasters
in consolidated post Offices out of the ap.
agreed to; yeas, 4S; nays Z. This vote
is unfavorable to the policy of the un
limited consolidation of post offices.
i During the discussion. Mr.. Hoar said
the three men who deserved the mos
credit for the administration of the civi
service law were Senator Hawley, D. B
Eaton and Mr.. Roosevelt. He did no
think Mr.. Cleveland deserved to be writ
: ten up very high on that scope. Reform
had come to stay. Mr.. Hoar said tn,
state of things that existed before tn,
civil service reform was inaugurated hat
been the running sore of the country
an offensive stencil, disgrace, degrade
tion and shame to the American people
He undertook the reform, determined
to put stop to that evil. If they die
not get positive substitute, they go
what was million fold better, than tina
it displaoed. Mr.. Hoar added tina
in the main President Cleveland an6
cabinet. had carried out the civil service
law, and President Harrison and his cabi
net, with some exceptions, had carried i
, out.
Mr.. woloott, Republican of Colorado
denounced the habit of cabinet officers
making speeches all over the country.
II An amendment, which restricted th,
consolidation system to the limits of cor
porate towns and cities, was adopted,
yeas 36; nays, 25. An amendment appro
pirating $50, 600 as additional compensa
tion the Oceanic Steamship COMPANY
for mail service from San Francisco te5
New Zealand and New South Wales was
agreed to; yeas 80; nays, s5.
The item of S196, GA, for the necessary
ines from Boston to Atlanta and New
Orleans by way of New York and Wash
ington was retained in the hill.
Mr.. Villas made motion to strike ou,
but was voted down, yeas, 13; nays, 49,
An amendment requiring the expendi
ure of $50, 600 for experiments in rural
free delivery was agreed to, yeas, 81
nays, 25. The bill was passed. The con.
ferees' report on the agricultural appro
The Senate then adjourned.
1