The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-23
The Connection Between Its Rejec-
ton and the BrOwn-Swanson CaSe'
MEN THAT LOOK LIKE ALGER.
Sneaker Reed Gets on His Little Joke
OH Him-The Senate in a Rcsolu-
ton Exonerates the Methodist
Church from Blame i'm tho
Book Scandal - Per
sOnal Items.

WAsHINGTO, February especial
The Senate has restored the item Of
$i7l. .23S.75 to the postoilice appropriation
bill for the Southern fast mail subsidy.
This item has been a bone Of contention
in the House every year for some years
past but had never before been stricken
out. Tho manner in which IL was cut
out when the bill was under considera-
ton IN the House recently IS a rather
interesting story.
IT will be remembered that the post
office appropriation bill was considered
I'm the House on the same day the Brown
Swanson election contest was scheduled
10 be called up the last time Shortly
after the House began that day. 5 session
Mr.. CrumDacker endcav0rel 90 call up
the election contest. The question OF
consideration was raised. Then there was
a scamper on the Republican side 10
avoid being called on 90 vote, SO that
when the roll call was completed It WAS
found that the Democrats had ma
iorlty and consideration was voted down.
and the Republicans who had vacated
were heard to say that they had "ful-
filled their contract"
The contract referred to was one on
tered into earlier In the session when
the Fairchilds-Ward contest from New
York was under consideration Both
we're Republicans. The frieds Of Ward
approached friends Of Swanson and a
bargain was made by which Swanson's
friends agreed 10 vote as much OF the
Democratic strength a possible in Ward $
favor. in return. when the Brown
Swanson case was callel mp Ward s
friends we're to lend the weight of their
influence 10 Swanson side No secret
was made Of the contract. ana when tho
question OF consideration was raised
severty-one Republicans abseuted them
selves without pairing and Swanson won.
SUBSIDY STRICKEN OUT.
II wis shortly after this that tho mo-
tion ~ strike out the mail subsidy was
made. and although Mr Swanson and
other Southern members made a vigorous
fgbt for its retention. the motion pre-
vailed. The action OF the Senate will
doubtless be concurred I'm by the House.
The election contest IS 10 be called up
again tomorrow. and II the postofiice
approrpiatiOn bill as amended by the
Senate. should be called up also. they
may again collide. but conference com
mittee would. Of course be appointed in
case Of disagreement.
The friends of Brown have been circu-
latlng industrously among The Republi-
cans for several days. Representative
Walker. of Virginia. is absent, As usual.
but he seldom fails to turn up when
there * an opportunity to vote I'm favor
OF unscaung a Democrat
SOME AMENDMENTS
Among the amendments to the post
office appropriation bill, I'm addition 10
restoring the Southern mail subsidy is
a provision that no bid for carrying the
mails or "a star route shall be considered
unless the bidder resides on or con-
tleuous to the route or shall agree to
reside on or contiguous 70 said route II
the contract rs awarded 10 him. Proof
of such residence Is required preliminary
to payment for service. The object Of the
amendment IS TO break up the evil of
spectators residing in distant States,
getting a number Of routes and sub
letting the contracts a rIinOuslv low
rates with the consequent injury 10 tho
service.
Senator Tiftman's amendment requiring
that star route contractors shall deliver
into and collect mail from boxes located
along tho line Of such routes was in
serted
Another provision IS that ali railway
postal clerks whose duties require them
two weeks a year-shan be allowed an
annual vacation of fifteen days with pay.
LOOKS LIKE ALGER.
The resemblance between Secretary Al
ger and Representative Lacey. Of Iowa,
has often been the occasion of remark.
Speaker Reed has often observed it and
tod Mr. Lacey yesterday that only one
thing was lacking TO make tho rcaem-
blance perfect
What g. that" asked the Iowa Con-
greSsmap. innocently
"A coat Of whitewash' responded tho
Czar. where4pon all laughed with great
glee as is the custom when truly big
man perpetrates his little joke
And by what COMMITTEES would you
rather have IL applied continued the
Speaker.
oh said Mr. Lacey. after pause. II
believe / will risk the Committee on In
terstate Commerce, for it has less re-
gard for the law and evidence Ia case
than any other committee I can think
Of"
Senator Martin has reported from the
Senate Naval Affairs Committee an
amendment % The naval appropriation
bill providing that the salary OF cleo
tricians In charge Of plants I'm the De.
partment Of Yards and Docks at the
navy yard be Increased from sL.20O per
annum as now provided. to 5000. "
CHURCH EXONERATED.
The Senate has agreed to the following
resolution reported from the Committee
Oh Claims by Senator Teller:
Resolved. That the report OF the COM
mittee made July S. lssS, be approved and
that no censure should rest upon the
Methodist Episcopal Church. South. FOR
the misstatements and concealmonts OF
the book agents IN connection with the
massage OF the bill Tor the payment OF
the claim referred to In the letter of the
bishops now under consideration: that
the injury resulting therefrOm. affected
only the beneficiaries OF the fund and
not the United states and the Senate
should take no further action In the mat
ter"
The House Committee on Military Af-
fairs has made favorable report on a
bill introduced recently 10 provide for |
he payment ~ laborers. workmen. work |