Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-01-27

the expenses of the postoffice depart
Il eat and supplies only about three
PEI cent. OF the revenues This is a
serious point and if congress should
enact into a law a measure relating
to second-class matter which will be
laid before congress a recurrence Of
the present difficulty will be obyiated y
Mr.. Wolcott then called attention to
opposition of the publishers of New
England to the enactment of law
restricting second-class matter,
Mr.. Allen tpop., Neb.) thought
that the great point involved in dis
cussion of the postoffice finances was
the charge that there is an annual
leakage of from $4,000, 900 to 10000 900
on account of the underweighing Of
n all matter 1T is most remarkable
said Mr.. Allen, that charges
of such gravity should be made
in public prints and yet the
party in power should remain
with reference to them as silent as the
grave. If we only had the nerve tc
take hold of these frauds and eradi-
!
enough to put corps of efficient let.
ter carriers in every city in the land. -
Mr.. Chandler rep, n. H. object.
ed to present consideration Of the
| Hoar resolution and on the suggestion
of Mr.. Allison it went over.
! Mr. Tillman (dem., s. CO present
ed a resolution, for which he asked i'm
mediate consideration extending the
authority of the interstate commerce
| committee so that it might inquire &c
what extent the railroad comp anies
| issue passes, whether the railroads
gave transportation for any other
! consideration than cash and what ar
rangements they had made with news
papers regarding transportation.
Mr.. Culiom rep, III. J, chairman of
| the committee, objected to considera-
ton of the resolution as it would in
volve a long and tedious Investigation
He said that he had no desire TO eyade
the truth in any part of the investi-
CATION, but that he was satisfied the
committee now had sufficient resti-
mony before it to indicate the need
of stringent legislation II do not
want to investigate throughout the
year" said he, but desire to prepare
some bill which will cure the evils that
we have found"
Washington, Jan. 19.-All day long
the question Of granting belligsrent
ri o re 70 Inh f,p
argued in the house but the minority
hurled itself against stone wall. The
only vote taken was on q motion de-
signed to overrule the decision of the
speaker and to direct the committee
of foreign affairs to report
without further delay the Gu
ban resolution passed by the senate
at the last session. The republicans
stood solid and voted to sustain the
chair. During the general debate
committee made an impressive
speech explaining the situa-
ticn which made action by con
gress inadvisable Mr. Hit said that
a declaration of belligerency would
allow SPANS war ships to hunt our
vessels on the high seas. In the exist
ing situation good men sympathizing
with Cuba's cause are constantly maxi
ing their way to the islands. Sup
plies, guns and ammunition are going
from the United States, it is said and
every pound of powder fired in the
Of Ttrh I.l
from this country. The members,
he said, might ask why, with all Of
the disadvantages in store for them
the agents Of the Cuban republic in
this city desired belligerent rights.
| Il could explain it." said Mr.. Hit
one Of these agents to me. we
know, said this gentleman that we
have much to lose in the matter OF
supplies but we also know that il
Spanish cruisers begin to stop Amer
lean shippers it will not be long be-
fore a hasty shot is fired, With that
shot public opinion in Spain and the
United States will plunge those cOun-
tries into war. Then our battle viii
be over, That perhaps is a very just
argument for the Cuban but not for
the American. If we are to have war
let us face it directly. not be forced
into it by chance. Mr. Hit spoke
OF the Spanish authority in Havana
as tottering between armed forces
without and tumutuous riot within
With impressive words he warned
the members that the responsibility
Of inaction with the momentous
consequences that might ensue rested
on the shoulders Of the executive. not
on the members Of congress who
might be making speeches for popular
approval let us remember" said
he. that we have a faithful pilot at
the helm and II the ship Of state is
near rapids we should be patient and
ready to support him If he takes steps
which the honor and interests OF our
countr. may demand"
Mr.. Dinsmore Cdem., Ark. a
member OF the foreign affairs