The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-03


out some sharp discussion in the senate
today on the propriety OF abolishing
country postofIices and absorbing them
as branches of city offices.
Mr.. German opposed the plan as I'M
democratic. He stated that the Balti-
more postoffice power was exerted to-
wards influencing the selection of men
for congress.
After a speech by Mr.. Ell1ins, advo-
eating subsidies and other means of
extending American commerce on the
seas, the postoffice bill went over.
During the day Mr.. George closed his
speech, covering three days, in oppo-
sition to Mr.. Dupont's claim to a seat.
The resolution for investigating the
bond sale again went over on Mr.. HIS
objection.
An agreement was reached in the
Senate today that the adjournment at
the close of today's session shall be I'M
Ill next Monday.
The house bill was passed granting
> the Atchison 6, Nebraska and the c. B.
& O. railways the right of way
through the Sac and Fox and Iowa In
dian reservations in Kansas and Ne
braska-
THE INDIAN BILL.
Mr.. Pettigrew reported the Indian ap-
preparation BILL and gave notice that
he would ask to take it up on Monday
The postoffice appropriation bill was
then taken up. Mr.. Wolcott offered an
amendment to regulate the salaries of
postmasteTs of sub-stations in cities.
The senator spoke in favor of the pol
Icy of the postoffice department in es-
hills hfnp mathematician mill
many minor offices surrounding them,
as in Chicago and Boston. Mr.. Wolcott
said the policy had led to abuses.
Mr.. German opposed the amendment.
IT was a step toward doing away with
the small fourth-class postoffices. It
was said Mr. German. part of the
prevailing tendency of the world to
absorb power and place it
IN THE HANDS OF A FEW
men. Those small postofices were To-
cal Institutions; the postmaster was
one of the local people, and the people
did not want their office absorbed by
the great city offices. Mr.. German de-
clared that this consolidation was
undemocratic and un-American.
I am loath to take the postoffices
away from the people" declared Mr..
German, vehemently. THE entire ten
dency of the day is to discredit the
people. to take from them the powers
Of government and the power TO
name their own servants. When the
people are 10 have guardians appointed
over them, then this government will
become a failure"
Mr. German went on to make point
ed references to the politics involved
in this consolidation. The men who
HAD SHOUTED LoUDEST
for civil service reform were using
this plan as a powerful machine to
accomplish political ends.
From headquarters came the orders
of this man, with enlarged powers -
proceeded Mr.. German, ito select the
men who should , to the congress of
the United States, and at least one of
them came"
Mr.. Villas Dem) of Wisconsin felt
compelled to disagree with the senator
from Maryland He favored the
amendment. first, because it would i'm
prove the postal service to the post
Office system. He felt that the civil
service idea bad been much used for
exploitation by persons who used it
to attract attention to themselves. yet
he believed it was the true principle to
maintain democratic institutions-not
Democratic in the party sense.
NO one would suspect" interjected
Mr.. Frye, sarcastically, that the SEN
ator would make such use of the word
Democrat because everybody under
stands now that the word would not
commend the amendment to the
American people
TOOK IT TO HEART.
Mr. Villas took the remark seriously
end said he must decline to be diverted
by 2 partisan remark. Although"
he added. perhaps something might
be said on that subject, in view Of some
recent Developments. which now lead
TO the hope that the American people
are not yet quite ready to be sold or
bought
1.-THE senator is taking me entirely
too seriously" responded Mr. Frye
Mr.. Villas went on to show that post
office consolidation was desirable, as
the little country offices were under no
supervision or control.
Mr. Hawley (Rep.. Comm spoke in
favor of the old fashioned rural post
oS7ce-an institution that was in the
affections and traditions of the peo-
pie The town postoffice was the town
club. The town postmaster was the
intermediary between the citizen and
the fountainhead of government at
washington, and he should not be dis
placed by q young clerk who could pass
q civil service examination. This was
a move toward making machine out
of the government; il was carrying
civil service to an absurd extreme.
The amendment was laid aside TO al
low Mr.. Elkins (Rep., Va; ~ speak in
support of uhe subsidy item He spoke
of the British activity in securing con-
troll of the ocean commerce.
The senator spoke of the Canadian
Pacific railroads violations of the
INTERSTATE COMMERCE LAW
and urged that the company be dis
ciplined by an abolition of the bonding
privilege which it enjoyed.
As means OF reviving our ocean
commerce. Mr.. Elkins advocated the
re-enactment of the old law giving 10
per cent rebate on duties on goods
carried in American ships.
The posucfice bill was then laid aside
and ct 5:S5 the senate went into exc
cutive session and soon after adjourn
ed until Monday.
CANADIAN PACIFIC AGAIN.
CHICAGO. april 1.-The Canadian
Pacific TO-DAY notified the chairman of
Do