The herald., 1896-03-08
Congressman WrestIe With the
Appropriation Bills
INCREASED COMPENSATION
Is Not Allowed 70 F0urth.Class Post
masters
Fight rade Against Increased Amounts
Far Special Facilities on the
Great Trunk Lines
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, March THE house to
day entered upon the consideration of the
eighth of the thirteen regular appropria-
ton bills, providing for the postal service.
1t is the largest of the supply bills, carry
ing over sol 100000. A series of at
tempts were made to increase the compen-
sation of fourth-class postmasters, but
they went down before points OF order. The
controverted items in the bill relate to
postoffice inspectors and special mail ia
cii les.
Some minor business was transacted be-
fore the consideration of the postof1ice
appropriation bill.
The senate resolutions authorizing tile
secretary of the treasury to distribute the
diplomas and medals of the Worlds fair
to exhibitors entitled to them was
adopted.
Mr.. Updegraff, Republican, of Iowa, from
the judiciary committee. asked unanimous
consent for the consideration for a bill to
reduce the catalogue of ca .es in which the
penalty of death be inf icted. 1t provides
that in cases of murder and rape for
which the penalty was death that the jury
might return verdict qualified "without
capital punishment"
Mr. Barrett, Republican, of Massa-
chusetts, objected.
Mr.. Wadsworth, Republican, of New York,
chairman of the committee on agriculture,
moved non.concurrence in the senate
amendments to the agricultural appro.
priation bill.
Mr.. Pckler, Republican, of South Da-
kota, endeavored to secure concurrence in
senate amendment for the pu 'lication
of a new edition of book on dairy farm
ing issued by the agricultural department
ten years ago. A letter from the agricul-
tural department was read stating that
the book was out of place and needed
"heroic editing" before it could be made
of value to dairymen. Nevertheless, Mr..
Picker having been defeated, 50 to 73,
developed enough strength to secure a
roll call on his proposition. On roll call
Mr.. Pickler's motion carried, but by dint
of hard work, enough members were in
duced to change their votes to defeat the
motion.
Mr.. Pickler, finding that he had been
defeated. changed his vote in order to
move to reconsider. When the sueaker
announced the vote, l0G TO III, Mr..
Pickler entered his motion, which, on
motion of Mr.. Wadsworth, was laid on the
table, 93 to 81.
The agricultural bill was sent to con-
ference, and the house then resumed con-
bill.
Mr.. Dockery Democrat, ,Missouri) opened
the actual fight against the appropriation
of $l96,6OO for special facilities on the
trunk lines from New York to New Orleans
Similar appropriations for this special
service have carried since 1877.
When the bill was read for amendments
under the five minute rule, McRae, Demo-
crat of Arkansas, moved to increase the
compensation of postmasters from Sl6.-
25O,OOO to $l7 100000, and increase the
compensation of fourth-class postmasters
IS per quarter. The latter provision of the
amendment was stricken out on a point
of order. The amendment was defeated,
A to So.
Several other attempts were made to in.
crease the compensation of four.h-class
postmasters. but all went down before
points of order.
Without considering the completion of
the bill, the committee rose, and at 4 80
the house adjourned until Monday.