Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-20
SENATE STIRRED UP.
SPIRITED DEBATE on REDUCTION
or LET.rER-cARRIER FORCE.
CUBA AGAIN IN The HOUSE,
Majority succeeds in M"in'"i"'"E
the status Quo-Finni Ehort on
Minority To-Day-Nr. Hitt Explains
Existing Relations VITA SPAIN

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. January 10
A spirited debate was prcciphated in the
senate to-day. by the introduction OF a
resolution by Mr.. Hoar, of Massaehu-
sets. providing for an enquiry by the Com-
mlttee on Post-Ofces and Post-Roads'
concerning the recent order OF the POST
master-General reducing the force Of let
ter-carriers in several cities OF the coun-
try. Mr. Hoar declared that the order
had had the effect Of a dynamite bomb IN
creating CONSERVATION among business
men throughout the country, while APP
parently an that was needed by the POST
once Department was an appropriation
Of $4,000 fully to maintain the efficiency
of the carrier service.
The debate took a wide range. Mr.. VOL
colt. chairman Of the Committee on Post
Ofices and Post-Roads insisting that many
New England people represented by the
Senator from Massachusetts CNr HoaO
were responsible for the deficiency in the
funds Of the Post-Onice Department. be-
cause they insisted that the government
should carry second-class mail al an
enormous loss. and Mr. Allen. Of Nobras-
ka. charging that the government was
annually defrauded ont OF millions Of
dollars through the underweigmng of
mail matter.
Mr.. Allen spoke sarcastically of the
good times the people OF New England
were having under the Dngley law with
their strikes and lockouts lie thought
that a sood many Of them would now
have time 10 go to the post-ofiices 20 get
their mail. II 1t was not promptly deliver
Cd by "a carrier. He thought the great
point involved in the discussion Of The
r0st-ofhce finances Was the charge that
there was an annual leakage OF from
eight 10 ten million dollars on account OF
the underweighing Of mail matter.
1t is most remarkable said Mr. Allen
that charges of such gravity should be-
made IN the public prints. and YET that
the party IN power should remain Win
reference 60 them as silent as the grave
ii we only had the nerve 10 take hold
Of these frauds and eradicate them. We
should have money enough 20 put corps
OF efficient letter-caruers in every city in
the lana"
After some gOod-natured sparring be-
tween Mr.. Hoar and Mr. Allison as 10 The
terms OF the resolution. the former
agreed 10 change 10 so that the Post
master-Gcneral should Doe instructed
forthwith 20 inform She Senate what
amount OF money was necessary TO maiIi-
tain the excellence Of the CARRIER seq
wee. The resolution. Do It's modified
FORM is still pending
hr. Vest gave notice that be would
move tomorrow 10 take up for considera-
ton the Teller resolution. reported by the
Finance Committee providing that the
bonds Of the United States may he paid
in standard silver dollars.
Mr. Vests notice seems 10 Indicate an
intention on the pert Of some senators 10
displace, temporarily. the Hawaiian en-
neXation treaty, as IL is evident. 0s Mr.
White. Of California, said. that The con-
sideratiOn of the resolution would pre-
cipitate some slight discussion"
AT z.-O Z. ". the Senate went into exec
cutise session. and at 8 O'clock adjourned
until tomorrow.
CUBA IN THE HOUSE.
All day long the question of granting
*lligerent rights TO the Cuban Msui-
gents was argued i'm the House. but. as
ln yesterday The minority hurled Itself
against stone wall on the only vote
.aKen to-day. a notion designed 10 over
rule The decision Of the Speaker. and di. !
rect the Committee on Foreign Affairs !
10 cpurt without further delay The Gu /
ban resolution passed by The Senate ~
ne last session. the Republicans stood /
solid and voted 10 sustain the Chair
The galleries. as On yesterday. were |
"a .
siderable excitement through the early |
part Of the session. when the membcrs |
~ the minority were successfully press |
ny an sorts Of amendments bearing on |
he cuban question for the purp6.e Of /
embarrassing the majority.
The debate was precipitated by Mr.
srucker DemocIaO. Of Michigan. Who /
iskcd unanimous consent for the con. |
ldcration Of resolution instructlng The |
committee on Fc-a.gn Affairs 10 reIor |
without further delay The Senate Cuban |
)eiligerency resolution. Alr. HIT chair. |
nan Of the Foreign Affairs Committee |
made point OF Ordcr. which the Speaker /
promptly sustained. and Mr.. Reed was |
about 10 recognize AZ. HIT 10 cali up |
ne diplomatic and consular appropriation'I
oil when Mr.. Bailey demanded Iecogni-
lon.
zone moment, please" he oaiiedsout |
Let Us hrst dispose Of this question ot 1
rider"
The Chair sustained the point or or
ier." fetOrtcd the Speaker. telsely.
Then Appeal" called Mr. Bailey 10 /
dr. bIucker across The hail. and the /
Michigan member entered an appeal f.om |
he decision OF the Chair AN was in
tontly excitement and confusion A dozen |
members were on their feet. demanding
ecogniton 10 debate the appeal. but the
speaker recognized MI. Dalzel. who /
moved TO lay the appeal on the table.
This cut of debate. and the Speaker put |
ne question. On a rising vote the Re-
'ublicans stood firm. and voted--l07 to ~
0 lay the appeal on the table. The yeas
nd nays were demanded and obtained
" Mr. Bailey.
The Democrats who expected 10 see the
republican line broken were disappoint-
q. The majority presented an uDbroken
rOnt.
White, OF North Carolina. the solitary
olored member OF the House. declined
b vote ~ all. answering Present" but
I the conclusion OF the roil-caD he
bought better Of his resolution and
oted Aye" The motion 10 lay the ap.
cal on the table was caTried-lGS TO 1875
The House, then. on Mr. HITS motion.
rent into Committee OF the Whole and
esumed consideration OF the diplomatic
nd consular Appropriation bll.
STRUGGLE RENEWED
As soon as the first paragraph was read
he struggle was resumed. Mr. Williams
DemocraD. or Mississippi offered an
10 direct the President 10 ap-
clint three commissioners 20 proceed 10
'uha and 81 possible rfrofiafe rree.,,