The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-20
TILE SENATE.
Postal Deficiency Drought out some
Spirited Discussion.

Postal Deficiency Bronaht Out Some
4 Spirited Discussion.
i Washington, January l9.---Aftcr the read
Ing OF the journal in the senate ar. Vest
or Missouri gave notice that he would at
the conclusion Of the morning session make
ii motion to take up the Teller resolution
which was reported by the finance commit
tee yesterday.
The bill authorizing the attorney general.
secretary Of treasury and secretary of war
! 10 compromise and adjust certain claims OF
the United States against the State of Ten
| nessce and the State OF Tennessee against
] the United States was passed.
| Mr.. Hoar offered n resolution relative to
the recent order OF the postmaster general
| reducing the number OF letter carriers In
some of the large cities on account OF the
deficiency in the free delivery appropria-
ton the resolution providing that the com
mittee on postofflce and post-roads should
| Immediately ascertain what amount was
necessary to preserve the free postal deliy-
cry service OF the country. For his resolu
ton Mr. Hoar asked immediate consldera-
ton. MIR. Wolcott, chairman of the post
office and post roads committee, objected
to the reference of the resolution TO his
committee. He thought the resolution
| ought to go 10 the committee on appropria-
lions. Inc committee on postolnces is
ANXIOUS to make more efficient the latter
carrier system, but are poweriess.
MIR. Hoar thought tbs question was
most important one, affecting, as 1t does.
hundreds OF thousands OF people who re-
y,t mail of M al pr
general, declared Mr.. ioar. created con-
srernntion among business men. the order
WIS based on a deficiency IN the nppropria-
ton for tree delivery Of about Siap.UVV. All
that is needed TO solve the difficulty Is
small additional appropriations
1T is absolutely intolerabie," said Mr..
HOar. that This great branch OF the public
service should stop or be crippled. Many
OF the smaller cities OF the country are, TOO.
deprived practically of mail delivery iaeIli-
ties, and II is time something be- done 10
avoid serious business embarrassment.
Mr.. Allison urged that the postmaster
general be sent d resolution inauiring why
such an order was necessary and what
remedy was necessary. No suggestion had
been made 10 the committee on appropria-
tons that the postmaster general had not
at his disposal sufficient funds ~ meet
the needs Of his department.
/ At this point Mr.. Woiuott said that he
tht real basis OF the trouble With the iinan-
clad AFFAIRS OF the postofhce department
1T is well Understood" he said that
the second class mail OF this country alb
serbs 90 per cent OF the expenses OF the
postothce department aud supplied only
about 3 per cent OF the revenues. This rs
tho serious point OF this discussion and N
congress should enact into law the measure
relating to socond-clHss matter which WIN
be laid before congress- tho recurrence OF
the present difficulty WIN be obyinted."
Mr.. Wolcott called attention to the or
position of the publishers against tho
bill.
Mr., Allen spoke sarcasticnlly of the good
times the people of New England were
having under the ningley law with their
strikes and lookouts. He thought that a
good many OF them would now have time
to 20 to the pnstoilicc TO get their mail II
II was not promptly delivered bv a carrier.
He thought the great point involved in the
discussion OF postoftee finances was the
charge that there was nu annual leakage
Of from 900 To $40 100000 on account
OF the over weighing OF mail matter.
ut Is most remarkable" said Mr. Allen,
that chargcs OF such gravity should be
made in the public prints and yet that the
party in power should reman with refer
once 10 them as silent as the grave. II
we only hnd the nerve TO take hold of
these frauds and eradicate them we should
haVo money enough to nut corps OF
efficient letter carriers in every city Ia the
land, :"
Mi Chandler obipntod To The Hoar rosolu.
ton aud the resolution went over.
Mr., Vest gave notice that h. would move
tomorrow 60 take IN for consideration the
Teller resolution reported by the finance
rommittee providing that bonds should be
paid In standard silver dollars
Tho senate then went into executive Sos
sion, and az 8 o'clock adjourned.