The herald., 1898-05-06
RURAL FREE DELIVERY
GIVEN THE SENATORIAL COLD
SHOULDER
DELIVERIES IN ALL THE CITIES
Reduced to a Maximum Of Four Day.
Cubans to Be Supplied
With Arms
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
| WASHINGTON, May 5.-During almost
the entire session today the senate ha1
under consideration the postoffice appro-
priation bill. The measure carried ss9'-
224, 300, being very much the heaviest of all
| the appropriation bills The most import
ant action taken upon the measure was
the adoption of an amendment offered by
Mr.. Tillman of South Carolina, reducing
the number of deliveries of mail in all
cities of the country to a number not ex-
ceeding four each day. The amendment
was sharply antagonized as blow to
business in the large cities. but the feeling
| of the senate was such that, despite vigor-
Gus opposition, it prevailed by decisive
| majority.
A lively debate was precipitated by an
amendment Of the committee striking out
the appropriation of 100000 for rural free
delivery The proposition was discussed
for nearly two hours, Mr.. Chandler OF
New Hampshire and Mr.. Butler of North
Carolina leading the fight in favor Of rural
free delivery.
BY the close vote of % to 25, however, the
committee was sustained, and the bill now
carries no appropriation for such delivery.
This will prevent contractors from SUBJ
letting mail contracts. In order to get
their money, they must be able to swear
that they performed the service them
selves.
Just before adjournment the senate
passed an important war measure author
t1ir hn nj nf1iCaYS
the army to supply the Cuban insurgents
with arms and munitions Of war. and en-
powering officers of the army serving in
Cuba to supply needy inhabitants OF the
island with medicines and subsistence.
Soon after the senate convened today
Mr.. Money of Mississippi gave notice that
on Thursday. the 26th inst, he would pre-
sent resolutions in memory of Mr.. Wal
thall.
Consideration of the postoffice appro-
priation bill was begun at the instance OF
Mr.. Quay Of Pennsylvania, in charge of
the measure.
After discussion Of the appropriation for
rural free delivery for about two hours,
the text of the bill was finally SO amended
as to present the proposition In the fol-
lowing form:
For experimental rural free delivery
under the direction Of the postmaster gen.
eral, including pay to carriers and horse
hire allowances, $200. .0O0."
Mr.. Quay insisted upon the committee
resolution to strike out the proposition,
and he demanded the yeas and nays. The
clause was stricken out, Is to %.
Mr. Tillman offered an amendment pro-
viding that no more than four mail de-
liveries should be made in any city during
any one day. and that any amount thus
saved shall be covered back into the
treasury.
Mr.. Hoar antagonized the amendment,
holding that 1t amounted to class legisla-
ton.
Mr., Chandler Of New Hampshire moved,
In view of the adoption Of the amendment.
that the amount to be appropriated for
free delivery be reduced from $13, ,0S5. 400 to
$12, 100000.
Quay's motion to table Chambers
amendment was defeated, 20 to %. The
amendment was then adopted.
Mr.. Pettigrew Of South Dakota offered
an amendment directing the postmaster
general to readjust the compensation to be
paid for transportation of mails on rail-
roads by reducing the compensation to all
railroad companies 20 per cent year from
the rates for such transportation on the
basis of the average weight heretofore
fixed and allowed by law. Pending ac-
ton upon the amendment the bill was laid
aside until tomorrow.
MIR. Hansbrough presented the report Of
the conferees upon the Alaska home
stead bill, and it was agreed to. The bill
now goes to the president
Mr.. Cockrell reported from the military
affairs committee bill to provide assist
ance to the inhabitants Of Cuba and arms.
munitions, and military stores to the IN
surgents, and for other purposes. The
text of the bill follows:
"Section 1. That while serving in Cuba
during the existing war, officers OF the
army of the United States exercising sep
arate commands. may. by special orders,
cause subsistence, medicine and quarter
masters supplies to be issued to, and other
aid rendered to the inhabitants of the
island of Cuba who are distressed and in
immediate danger Of perishing unless
they receive aid.
"Section q That the president and COM
manders Of troops in Cuba are hereby au-
thorized to furnish to the proper officers
of the Cuban insurgents such arms, am
munition, equipments and military stores
and supplies as they may require to rem
der the services of that army as allies in
the existing war available, and may en-
list not to exceed fifty for each brigade.
inhabitants of the island Of Cuba. quail
fed to serve as interpreters, guides. scouts
and assistants"
The bill was passed without debate.
The senate then at 5:25 p. m. went into
executive session, and shortly after ad-
journed.
Combinations
WASHINGTON, May 5.-The senate In
executive session made the following con-
firmations today:
Observation-Disclosures John w. Short,
at Fresno; Lillian w. Thomas at Sausalito;
William D. Ingram at Lincoln.
Washington-J. A. Benedict at Centralia.
Arizona-John G. Pritchard at Bisbee.
Also the nominations to be brigadier-
generals as sent to the senate on Wednes-
day.
IN THE HOUSE
Alaska Land Law and Labor Arbitra-
ton Bills Passed