Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-12-11

stamps. The scheme had been success
fully put in operation in England,
where in six months the number of
such cards mailed had increased from
24S,oo0,ooo to 334,0oO,Ooo. The bill was
passed. 1t takes effect July /, 1897.
MIR. Loud also called up bill TO pro-
vide limited indemnity for the loss
of registered mail matter. 1t provides
nn indemnity of not to exceed ten dollars
for any one registered letter, but if of
less value not to exceed the actual value.
This bill was also approved by the post
office department. Such an indemnity
is made by nearly all the foreign coun-
tries. The postmaster general expressed
the opinion that the increased revenue
from registered mail would more than
offset the indemnity losses to be paid.
Mr.. Loud said that on the basis of last
years statistics the government could
have revenue of 5000, 900 with liability
of $4,000. There was some criticism
of the bill on the ground that it tres
passed on the rights of express COM
panies, but it was passed by vote of
70 to 10.
Mr.. Loud then called up the bill of
Mr.. Sperry (rep., Conn., to authorize
the collection and delivery of mail in
cities, towns and villages where no let
ter-carrier service exists, by the en-
ployment, under mutual arrangement
between the citizens, of any person in
such place to perform this service, at
cost not exceeding one cent for the
delivery of each letter or package. The
expense of delivery under the terms Of
the bill is to be borne by the bene
ficiaries and there is no liability so far
as the government is concerned. The
bill was passed.
Pension Bill Passed.
The general pension appropriation
bill was then taken up, and Mr.. Grow
(rep., Pay made brief speech in favor,
of protective tariff based upon the
presidents commendation in his mes
sage Of the present tariff law. The PEN
sion bill was passed without amend
ment.
Makes Tariff Speech.
During the debate on the pension bill
Mr.. Grow (rep., Pa.) the venerable rep
resentative and eX-speaker of the house,
took occasion of the liberty accorded
under the rules to make tariff speech.
He took for his text these statements
in the presidents message relating to
the Wilson tariff bill:
"The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been in force ended on the Goth
day Of June, 1896. In that year our i'm
ports increased over those Of the previous
year more than s6,50OOO0, while the value Of
the domestic products we exported and
which found markets abroad was nearly
$40. 600 more than during the preceding
year.
Whatever may be its shortcomings as
complete measure of tariff reform IT
must be conceded that it has opened the
way to freer and greater exchange of
commodities between us and other coun-
tries, and thus furnished a wider market
for our products and manufactures"
In the two years and five months
ended December 1, Mr.. Grow said, the
deficiency in the revenues of the gov
eminent amounted TO over Sic, 1000 900,
and yet the president made no recon-
mendation to congress regarding the in
crease OF revenue. He did say, however,
eAAoo Az oC11SlC ludI utQ occurred or
that was likely to occur need excite or
dusturb us. "AIost placid, comfortable
frame of mind" said Mr.. Grow. "The
president evidently thinks the creditors
of the nation will not be enxious so
long as the engravers and printing
presses of the country do not break
down" Mr.. Grow said he would not
consider the tariff in any partisan sense,
but as simple business matter, affect
ing the revenues of the treasury. If the
present law was not good for any year,
the first duty of congress was to pro-
vide revenues for the government. He
compared the workings of the McKin-
ley and Wilson laws and sarcastically
referred to the presidents assertion
that the latter chad opened the way tc
a freer and greater exchange of com
modities." Protection, he contended,
meant employment for American Labor
and revenue for the treasury.
The documents in the contest Of
Thomas z. Watson VS.. j. c. C. Black for
a seat in the Fiftyfourth congress
from the Tenth Georgia district, We're
received from the clerk of the house
and by the speaker referred to the com
mittee on elections No. 1. At 1870 the
house adjourned.