Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-12-11
The scheme had been success.

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,ooo,oo0 to 334,00O,OoO. The bill was
passed. 1t takes effect July 1, 1897.
MIR. Loud also called up bill 10 pro-
vide limited indemnity for the loss
of registered mail matter. 1t provides
an 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.
MIR. Loud said that on the basis of last
years statistics the government could
have revenue of 100000 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., Comm 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-
fciaries 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., Pa.) made brief speech in favor
of q protective tariff based upon the
presidents commentator 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
MIR. 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 BOT h
| day of June, 1896. In that year our i'm
ports Increased over those of the previous
| year more than Sc, 500, 900, while the value O!
the domestic products we exported and
which found markets abroad was nearly
700 more than during the preceding
| year.
Whatever may be its shortcomings as
complete measure of tariff reform, 1t
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 wider market
Tor our products and manufactures"
In the two years and five months
ended December /, Mr.. Grow said, the
deficiency in the revenues of the gov
eminent amounted TO over $4,000, 900
and yet the president made no recon-
mendation to congress regarding the in
crease OF revenue. He did say, however
that no deficit that had occurred O,
that was likely to occur need excite O.
dusturb us. "Most placid, comfortable
frame of mind" said Mr.. Grow. 9Th,
president evidently thinks the creditors
of the nation will not be enxious S,
long as the engravers and printing
presses of the country do not breal
down." Mr.. Grow said he would no
consider the tariff in any partisan sense
but as simple business matter, affect
ing the revenues of the treasury. If TIL,
present law was not good for any year
the first duty of congress was to pro
vide revenues for the government. IL
compared the workings of the McKin
ley and Wilson laws and sarcasticall,
referred to the presidents assertion
that the latter chad opened the way t
a freer and greater exchange of con,
modities." Protection, he contendet
meant employment for American labo
and revenue for the treasury.
The documents in the contest O
Thomas e. Watson VS.. j. c. C. Black TO
a seat in the Fifty<fourth congress
from the Tenth Georgia district, wer
received from the clerk of the hous
and by the speaker referred to the CON
mittee on elections No. /. At 1870 tn
, house ad journed.