The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-27
THE BIG POSTAL CONGRESS.
work ACCOMPLISHED BY THE IN
TERNATIONAL GATHERING.


the Postal NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
United States POstOaices.
Washington, June 26.-Within three
weeks there have been fifteen postmasters
general in Washington. They were from
Hungary, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Den
mark, Egypt, Cape Colony Austria, In
dia, Mexico, Norway Holland, the Trans
vaal and Sweden. These gentlemen were
delegates to the universal postal con-
gress lately in session here. Sixty-two
nations were represented in this conven-
ton by 1O4 delegates and attaches. The
object was to improve postal facilities
throughout the world. This is done by the
action of the convention, afterward rati-
fed by the different governments repre-
scented.
The United States was the first to sug-
gest such convention. The suggestion
was made by Postmaster General Mont
gomery Blair in 1863 The first convention,
however, was not held until 1874. Only six
nations were represented, and they met in
Berne. The second was held In Paris in
1878; the third in Lisbon in 1885; the fourth
in Vienna in 1891, and the fifth in WASH
ington at the present day. The sixth will
be held In Rome in 1904
The convention me, in the old Corcoran
Art Gallery. The highly polished mahog-
any desks were arranged in a semi-circle,
something like the desks in the United
States Senate chamber. The frieze of the
room was composed of the coats Of arms
of the various nations represented with
flags festooned above them. The walls
were draped with heavy velour of a ma
room color, so as to confne the sound
within the chamber and make 1t easy for
each delegate to be heard. All the ses-
sions were secret, like the executive ses-
sions of the Senate The delegates were
practically negotiating treaty, and trea-
ties are always negotiated in secrecy.
The presiding officer and president of the
congress was Gen. George S. Batchelleri
an American, and the two secretaries of
the convention were Col. Charles Chaille-
Long and Robert Stockwel Hatcher, both
Americans. Col. Long was well known in
Egypt long ago, and Mr.. Hatcher has been
the reading clerk of the House of Repre-
sentatives.
All the proceedings, documents and data
of the convention were in French. Even
the Germans sanctioned the use of the
French language. 1t is the court language
of the world and Prussia took the lead in
making it so under the reign of Frederick
the Great. Lately Russia endeavored to
supplant the French language in oriental
courts, but failed. The work of the con-
vention was filtered through three com
mittees. They met at specified times ana
presented their reports for consideration.
The members never resolved themselves
into committee of the whole, although it
was thought that action would be taken
in committee of the whole before adjourn
ment. The chairman of each committee
called it to order with a bell, after the
French method. There was some difficulty
in selecting these bells at the beginning of
the session. The United States government
paid for the bells. All sorts of bells were
offered Old-fashoned dinner bells, COW
bells, sleigh bells spring bells and many
others. The chairman of the committees
selected exquisite little thinkers. Some
thing more elaborate was chosen for the
presiding officer. Gen. Batcheller, how
ever never used the bell in opening or
closing sessions, or In preserving order.
To use the words of one of the delegates,
He brought the convention to order with
a club" This may mean that he used
cane in the place of a gavel or bell.
Two of the desks in the hall were draped
In black One was in memory of the post
master general at Berlin who died from
an accident after his selection by the en-
peror. The other was draped In memory
of the delegate from Hawaii, who died a
few weeks ago.
The prominent men in the discussion
were the delegates from Great Britain,
France, Germany, and Italy. All were
perfectly conversant with the subject and
are fluent speakers. Bruno Fritsch, rep
resenting the German empire, organized
the military postal service of Prussia dur
ing the war with France in 187l-72. This
the German soldiers, whether on picket, or
even in the line Of battle, with the regu-
larity and precision of a city delivery.
Another remarkable delegate was Hochi,
who has been speaker of the lower house
in Japan for three terms. His rulings
were made with such vigor and originality
as to lead his friends 70 call him the Tom
Reed OF Japan" Gen. Tyner, an ex-
Postmaster General of the United States,
was also delegate. Capt. n. NJ. Brooks,
tor thirty years the superintendent Of the
foreign mails in the postofhce department
here at Washington, also represented the
United States He was a delegate to Vi
emma, and his long experience made him
valued member.
Another delegate Of distinction was
Spencer Wapole representing Great Brit
ain. One OF the American delegates asked
him whether II was his father or his grand.
father, who wrote the History Of Eng
] am the man"
Another delegate was the Hon. Emidie
Chiaradia, member Of the italian House
or Representatives. He Is 20 go 10 the
Senate this fail He wears FIVE little gold
medals strung together. They represent
the only compensation received from the
government BY member OF the Italian
parliament. one Of these medals Is given
TO each member at the end of each term Of
service. Among the associates OF signor
Shlaradia was a brother Of the Count
brazza, the great Italian explorer. lie has
an American wife. The delegate from
Iransvaal was an houored rc.ative Of
Dom Paul les president. While on an ox-
euraion with other delegates to Fortress
Monroe the other day ho asked his assoc
GATES to drink to the health Of his son.
Inns was done. At that very hour his son
iay dead In Pretoria. The sad Informal
ton was received n short time afterward.
Iho treaty which these delegates have
been engaged in securing will not 20 into
erect until Jan. J. 1899. Prior TO this Il
VIII DC ratified by the various govern
ments' china, Korea and the Orange Free
states are the oulv uaNfarr th.t l.asa. ~