The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-13
WORK OF THE HOUSE.
POsfoffice Appropriation Bill, Carry
ing S05,4:;5,714, Passed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-The statue of
Abraham Lincoln in the old Hall of Rep
reSentatives was draped to-day in the
American flag and wreathed with flowers
in honor of the eighty-eighth anniversary
Of his birth, but the House did not sus-
pend business On the contrary, 1t cele-
brated the anniversary by discussing the
necessities of the postal service and pass
ing the postoffice appropriation bill. The
perennial fight was made TO strike out the
appropriation of S196, 900 for special mail IA
cilities from Boston to New Orleans. Its
opponents were defeated AZ to 167, al
though that portion of the appropriation
providing special facilities for Boston to
New York was stricken out after it had
been shown that this part OF the appropri-
alton had not been expended for several
years The bill passed carries 500, 435, ia.
During the debate Mr.. Bromwell, in ar
guing against the appropriation of s196. coo
for special mail facilities from Boston TO
New Orleans, declared it was absurd to say
that the Southern Railroad arried more
mail than any other trunk line in the
country. There were. he said. twenty-five
trunk lines which carried more mail than
the Southern. He referred to the advan-
tage gained by the New York papers by
that, newspaper specials run out of Chi
cago, St Louis, Cincinnati and other CEN
tiers obtained no special compensation.
Mr.. Gardiner and Mr.. Pearson defended
ton to the fact that the bill appropriated
$4,000 for expediting the mails TO the
islands of the Pacific. Were not the Demo-
Gratis and Republicans of the South, and
even the Populists he asked. entitled to as
much consideration as the residents of the
South Sea islands. He said it expedited
m I'M he fuyalx ir
teen hours.
After some further remarks the general
debate closed and the bill was taken up for
amendment under the five-mnute rule.
On motion of Mr.. Talbert, the appropri-
alton for experimental rural free delivery
was increased from $4,000 to 100000.
While discussion was in progress as to
the rate of compensation allowed street.
car mail service, Mr.. Hepburn asked what
junction these cars performed.
1t has been intimated," said Mr.. Terry,
that these cars are put on street-car lines
so they can be vlled with federal bayonets
When the item appropriating $4,000 for
special mail facilities from Boston to New
Orleans was reached, Mr.. Cromwell (Rep
immediately divided and the Cromwell mo-
ton was loSt-46 to 107.
Mr.. Simpkins then moved to strike out so
much OF the provision related TO the
special facilities between Boston and New
York and TO reduce the appropriation to
$l1, POS. The amendment was adopted with
out division.
An amendment w<y adopted reducing the
per diem of railway postal service agents
for expenses from 81 to 81 per day. With
out further amendment the bill was re-
ported to the House. where, on the appeal
OF Mr. Loud, the amendment adopted in
committee to increase the appropriation for
rural free delivery was rejected and the
bill was passed.
The. remainder of the day, until AS
o'clock, was devoted to reading the sundrv
civil appropriation bill. The formal first
reading of the bill is usually dispensed with
consideration of private bills, which is the
regular order on Friday. AT 4:45 p. m. the
House adjourned until tomorrow, thus
dispensing with the regular Friday night
session.