New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-07
SALARIES TO REPLACE FEES.
THE HOUSE STRIKES A BLOW AT ABUSES
IN THE COURTS.
YAssAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION
BILL WITH NEW AND IMPORTANT PRoVl-
sIONs ATTACHED-rIXED COMPENSATION
PROVIDED FOR UNITED STATES DIS
TRICT-ArTORNEYS AND MAR
sHAI.s--GREAT BENEFITS
EXPECTED TO RE-
-- .--r- ,
SUIT FROM THE
MEASURE
fnY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.l


MEASURE.
- (pY TELEGRAPH THE TRrBUNEl
Washington. March 6.-The House of Representa-
tives to-day passed the Legislative Appropriation
bill, which contained some new and important pro-
visions. On 1t engrafted as an amendment 'he
t'pdegraff BILL which was unanimously reported
from the Committee on the Judiciary, OF when Gen
eral Henderson. of Iowa, is chairman fail synop-
sis Of provisions of this measure has heretofore
been published in these dispatches. The bill sub
stitutes fixed salaries for official fees as compensa
ton for the services OF United States District-At
torneys and Marshals. reduces by 30 per cent the
fees of United States Court Commissioners. pro-
svides that no person shall hod any other Office or
employment under the Government while serving as
a Commissioner, and carries several other reform
provisions.
II is estimated that the measure if enacted into
law will only curtail the expenses OF the unted
States courts at least half million dollars year
but will also greatly reduce the numoer OF INV
olous and unnecessary suits brought under the exio'
ing system on fmsy grounds in order that court
officials and witnesses. well as professional IN
formers may receive fees for alleged services which
never benefit the Government by the detection ana
punishment of crimes and misdemeanors Some OF
the disclosures Of abuses under the existing system
made in the course OF the debate were absolutely
astounding and appalling, and explained now II mas
happened that the expenses Of United states courts
have increased than 100 per centin the ast ten
l'pdegraff of Iowa, and his colleagues OF the SUD-
committee who framed the BILL well as to the
chairman and other members Of the judiciary Com
mittee who assisted In perfecting IT, ana 10 the
House OF Representatives. which passed 1t without
division substantially as II came from the COM
mittee. As Chairman Henderson to-day SAID 70
Tribune correspondent: IF this House had done
and should do nothing else in the way OF beneficial
legislation. II would be entitled to large measure
Of credit for the passage of this measure
Messrs Bartlett Quigg and Sulzor to-day made
gallant but unsuccessful efforts to secure an ex-
emption Of the Southern District of New-fork from
the operation OF the section which gives TO the
District Courts the appointment OF United states
Commissioners, and forbids any person from 81
multaneous.y holding the offices of Commissioner
and clerk OF court. In the course OF me discuss
sion on the amendment. Mr.. Connolly Rep, I'D
was beseged by Messrs. Bartlett and Quigg at once
with requests to hear question He denied Mr.
Quigg saying that he preferred TO yied 10 the
leading lawyer from New-York. at which some
one on the Democratic side shouted. "There are
.others.' O-aughter) The amendment was rejected
An amendment was agreed 10 or motion oil MI
Adams (Rep PENN, giving to clerks OF courts. as
well as Commissioners. authority TO administer
oaths.
Mr. Bartlett Dem. Ga) offered amendment
which was adopted, forbdding the appointment OF
eny Federal officer Commissioner as receiver In
any suit in the Federal courts.
COMMISSIONERS FEES REDUCED.
At the suggestion of the Department of Justice
the bill was amended to raise the per diem
OF United States Commissioners from 50 TO %
day with a restriction TO one per diem allowance
for any one day
A motion by Mr. Underwood Dem AlaD to wipe
out fees of Commissioners altogether and TO put
them on a salary of 5000 rejected Mr.. Hen
derson (Rep.. Iowa. said that in his opinion the
change would increase the present cost of United
States Commissioners to the Government.
han ra INFANT iOr-
bidding the appointment by any Justice or Judge
Of a relative within the fourth degree Of ,onsan-
guinity as Commissioner. Master In Chancery or
receiver in any case which the Judge or Jus.
tce shall preside 1t was ruled out on point Oh
Thir cosnplersd he .cdnstdsraron of the fee and
salary amendment, and as amended 1t was aEi eed
6s ssf0n Of to ne o
rect error made in the Diplomatic and Consular
$500 for the relief and protection 81 shpwrscksd
Of alaska IN
omitted from the Diplomatic bill ..., 49,,
was reported to the House. and amended passed.
a vote by yeas and nays on the fee and salary
portinS the demand OF Mr.. johnson Oaep. CALI.
THE POSTOFF1CE BILL TAKEN UP.
The House again went into Committee Of the
Whole. and took up the Postofice Appropriation
bill for the year ending June 30, 1897. Mr.. Loud
Qsep. CALI. explaining the provisions of the bill.
said that the estimates on which II based
Amounted to $s4,sl7so0. The bill recommends APP
rropriation of 81 s43757 or sS41&2 less than the
estimates and $23 100 than the bile for the
curren, fiscal year. The estimated postal srevenue
for the fiscal year 1891 IN the.0 pinion af the Post
master Genera. will be $50. 1863 10 $780,. 1872 less
than the appropriation recommended, by the COM
mittee. To meet whatever deficiency may occur in
the several appropriations made by the BILL a sum
equal to such deficiency is to be appropriated from
the Treasury. In the preparation OF the bill Mr.
Loud said. the committee had segregated certain
items from the general appropriation for free de-
livery service. believing that to be better plan.
desr tn rada ON
the administration OF the Department.; indeed he
believed the Department being as well
administered as ever In Its history and better bust
ness methods than ever before probably obtained
In the accounts Of the oce Of the Second Assistant
Postmaster General the committee had found that
$4,000 OF the appropriation for the Star Route ser
vice had been diverted to other purposes and the
appropriation for that service was reduced by that
sum. which was appropriated 10 wagon service
When the accounts OF the Office OF the Fourth
Assistant Postmaster Genera. reached in the
course OF Mr.. LIQUIDS explanation. Mr.. Quigg (Rep,