The St. Louis Republic., 1901-02-23
Post Office and Diplomatic and
Consular Appropriation Meas
ures Disposed OF.
NEWTON, KAS., FAST.MAIL ITEM.
Although Vigorously Opposed, II
Stays in Former Bill-Dis-
agreement on Indian
Conference Report.

Washington, Feb. 2z-Two Of the great
! supply bills Of the Government. the post
office and the diplomatic and consular ap-
preparation bills. were passed by the Senate
to-day.
During the greater part Of the session q
proposition to discontinue the appropria-
tions for fast mail facilities from New York
to New Orleans. via Atlanta. and from
Kansas City. No.. to Newton. Kas.. was
under disc1ssion. While the debate was
protracted. It was not particularly lively.
BY a decisive vote the Senate continued
the appropriations.
An effort was made to obtain an appro-
service In New York, Boston and Philadel-
phia. but It failed.
An amendment was agreed to authorizing
the Postmaster General to investigate the
question of establishing a postal telegraph
system. and TO report his findings to the
next Congress.
The diplomatic and consular appropria-
ton bill was passed In record time. only
forty minutes being consumed In its con-
sideration. After spirited debate. the con-
ference report on the Indian appropriation
bill was rejectsd. and sent back to con-
ference
Early In the day washington's Farewell
Senate on washington's birthday. was
read. the reader being Senator Bacon of
Georgia
A bill authorizing the Attorney General,
on request Of the Secretary Of the Interior.
TO appear In suits brought by States rela-
tive to school lands In Indian reservations
was passed.
Newton, Kas., Fast-Man Item.
Consideration Of the post Office appro-
priation bill was resumed. the pending Ques-
ton being the motion of Mr.. Rawlins to
strike out the two paragraphs for fast mail
service between New York and New Or
leans and between Kansas City and New
ton. Kas.
Mr.. Vest Of Missouri opposed the motion
In an eloquent and forcefui speech. He chal-
lenged the statements made yesterday by
Turley and Mr.. Bate. Democratic Senators
from Tennessee. that the proposed appro-
priations were subsidies. He Vest) never
had voted for any subsidy or bounty, great
or small. but these appropriations were not
subsidies. because subsidies were money
given out OF the Treasury for nothing. The
pending appropriation facilitated the trans
mission OF the mails. and he never had
failed to vote for increased mail facilities,
because he considered the mails one OF the
greatest evidences Of civilization.
appropriation was q specific payment for a
valuable service rendered BY railways. In
ms Judgment. 1t was In no sense sub
Mr.. Thurston Of Nebraka, in support of
the appropriation, made q facetious speech.
In which he said Kansas was In 'an unfor-
tunate position. with its trrepressible con-
nict between the unlawful Joint and the
Illegal hatchet." Q.aughter.)
Thurston Grows Facetious.
Il understand" he continued, that the
train leaves Kansas City at very early
hour In the morning and carries to the suf-
ferfng people OF Kansas the consolation of
the metropolitan newspapers and original
Nothing can do 20 much to save Kansas
as newspapers and original packAses." /"
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama, Mr. Pritchard of
North Carolina and Mr.. Elkins OF West
pending motion. while Mr.. Chiffon of Texas
argued that there was no reason. for sin
Cling out particular railroads ana particular
sections upon which to confer special mail
sas ssev nsh IN SfIs ss to D De
lon, for the beneft Of every section Of the
country
Mr.. Caffery Of Louisiana said the propo-
sition was subsidy or gratuitys which ac-
were withheld. he did not doubt that the
people Of his section would receive just as
fast mail service as they are now receiy-
ms:
Gus argument In support Of the appropria-
ton. maintaining It could be regarded as
q subsidy In no sense Of the term. as II was
expended to obtain specific advantages to
the people In the Transmission Of the mails.
Mr.. Jones OF Arkansas declared that the
proposed appropriation wes as absolutely
indefensible an expenditure Of public money
as had ever come under his experience.
IT." said he. "the railroads do not ask
II. as has been stated here, and the Post
p II