The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-03
COUNTRY POsToFFICEs.
Spirited Discussion I'm the senate ON
Their Proposed AbOlishment.


WASHINGTON. April 2.-The postoffice APP
preparation bill served to bring out some
sharp discussion in the Senate to-day on the
propriety OF abolishing country postohces
and absorbing them as branches of city Of
fees. Mr.. German opposed the plan as I'M
democratic. He stated that the Baltimore
postoffice power was exerted toward infu-
encing the selection of men for Congress.
After a speech by Mr.. Elkins. advocating
subsidies and other means of extending
American commerce on the seas, the post
office bill went over. During the day Mr..
George closed his speech. covering three
days. in opposition to Mr.. Dupont's claim to
seat. The resolution for investigating
the bond sale again went over. on Mr.. Hills
appropriation bill. and gave notice that he
would ask to take 1t up on Monday.
When the postoffice appropriation bill was
taken up Mr.. wolcott offered an amendment
to regulate the salaries of postmasters OF
substations in cities. The Senator spoke in
favor of the policy of the Postoffice Depart
with many minor offices surrounding them,
as i'm Chicago and Boston. Mr.. Wolcott said
the policy had led to abuses. Mr.. German
opposed the amendment. DIT was a step to-
ward doing away with the small fourth-class
postoffices and making them branches OF the
city postoffices. 1t was, said Mr.. German,
part of the pre- vailing tendency or the world
to absorb power and place it in the hands OF
a few men. Those small postof1ices were To-
cal institutions; the postmaster was one OF
their office absorbed by the great city offices.
Mr.. German declared that this consolidation
was undemocraHic and un-American
ann 5s osn e sss s Rp
hemently. THE entire tendency OF the. day
is to discredit the people. TO take away from
them the powers of government ana the
power 10 name their own servants. When the
people to have guardians appointed over
them, then this government Will become a
failure" Mr.. German went on to make
pointed reference to the politics involved IN
this consolidation. The men who had shout
ed loudest Tor civi-service reform were using
this plan as powerful machine ssi to So accom-
came the orders 10 this man with enlarged
powers" proceeded Mr.. German. Ito select
the men who should go 10 the Congress or
the United States. and at least one OF them
Mr.. Villas felt compelled to disagree with
the Senator from Maryland He favored the
the postal service. He felt that the civil
service idea had been much used for exploit
tation by persons who used 1t TO attract at
the true principle to maintain democratic in
stitutions-not democratic in the party sense.
.'No one would suspect" interjected Mr..
e sarS " Mord
cause everybody understands now that that
word would not commend the amendment to
Mr.. Villas took the remark seriously, and
said he must decline to be diverted by par
tisan remark. Although" he added. per
haps something might be said on that sub
ject, in view OF some recent developments,
which now lead to the hope that the Ameri,
can people are not yet quite ready to be sold
or bought.
.sThe Senator is taking me entirely too Sc
riously," responded Mr. Frye.
consolidation was desirable, as the little
country offices were under no SUPERVISION OF
control.
Mr.. Hawley spoke in favor of the old-fash-
Toned rural postoffice-an institution that was
in the affections and the traditions OF the
people. The town postofice was the town
club. The town postmaster was the interme-
diary between the citizen and the FOUNTAIN
head of government at Washington, and ne
should not be displaced by young CLERK
who could pass a civil-service examination
This was a move toward making macnine
out of the government. 1t was carrying
civil service to absurd extreme .
The amendment was laid aside. to allow
Mr.. Elkins 10 speak In support Of the sub
sidy item. He spoke. OF the British activity
in securing control of the ocean commerce
The Senator spoke OF the Canadian Paciht
railroads violation of the interstate-com
merce law and urged that the company %
disciplined by an abolition Of the bonding
privilege which it enjoyed As means o.
reviving our ocean commerce Mr. Elkins al
vocated the re-enactment of the old law Civ
ing 10 per cent. rebate on duties on goods
carried in American ships.
The postoffice bill was then laid aside, anC
the bill authorizing the lighthouse board {;
proceed with the building of the lighthouse
az North Manitou island, Lake Michigan, wa
passed.
sion, and soon after adjourned until Mon
daxr