The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-11
Measure Passed i'm Such n shape that
Nothing Was Left of the
Main Provision.
MORE PAY FOR THE CARRIERS
WHO WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS IN THE
CITY SERVICE SYSTEM.
Motion 10 RecOmmit and Report Back
with NOnpartisan Amendment
Defeated, 14I to 96.

WASHINGTON, March 1O.-The bill to
classify the rural free delivery service and
place the carriers under the contract sys-
tenn, which has been debated in the House
for over a week. was passed to-day. but in
a form that completely changed the pur-
pose for which it was framed. Before it
was passed the bill was altered radically by
its opponents. All the provisions relating
TO the placing of carriers under the con-
tract system were stricken out and the sal
airy system not only was continued. but the
maximum salary of carriers was increased
from $500 to $500 per annum.
A motion offered by Mr.. Williams Dem,
III to recommit the bill with Instructions
to report back an amendment providing for
the dismissal from the service Of carriers
who should use their influence in favor of
any particular party or for any particular
candidate was voted down-96 to al.
AS passed the bill Classics the rural free
delivery service and fixes the compensation
of employees as follows: Special agents in
charge of divisions, not exceeding g.. 400 per
annum; special agents. four classes. graded
from $1,000 to $500; route inspectors, four
classes, from $500 to 1900: clerks, four
classes, from $500 to $1,000. The compensa-
ton of carriers is not to exceed 5000. To-
morrow the postoffice appropriation bill will
be considered.
Governor Ode,l, of New York, was on the
floor of the House renewing old acquaint-
ances when to-day's session was opened.
Mr.. Burton. chairman Of the river and
harbor committee, reported the river and
harbor bill and gave notice that he would
call il up after the disposal Of the postoffice
appropriation bill.
The Senate amendments to the diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill were nom
concurred In and the bill sent 10 confer
ence- Messrs. Hit of Illinois. Adams of
Pennsylvania and Dinsmore of Arkansas
were appointed conferees on the part of the
House.
the time for the construction of a bridge
across the Niagara river, which heretofore
has been authorized by an act of Congress;
to authorize the Dothan, Hartford & Flor
ida Railway TO construct a bridge across
East st. Andrews bay. at Farmdale. Fla.
and to grant permission 70 the C.. a. r. to
erect a monument to the memory of Benja-
min f.. Stephenson. founder of the G. A.. r..
in the District OF. Columbia
ing the thanks OF Congress to Secretary
of State Hay for his Mckinley memorial
address and asked for immediate considera-
tlOn or III. Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee.
thought the resolution should first be con
sidered by a committee, and upon his OBJ
lection Ii was referred.
The House then went into committee of
the whole and the bill to classify the rural
free delivery service and place the carriers
under the contract system was read for
amendment under the hve-minute rule.
Mr.. Swanston, Of Virginia, offered an
amendment providing for salaries for car
riers at not exceeding 5000 per annum, with
an added provision that mo other or further
allowance or salary shall be made to said
carriers"
Mr.. Loud. in charge of the Dill, intimated
that his amendment had been instigated
by some one at the Postofice Department.
Mr.. Swanson denied this.
Mr.. Cannon. chairman of the approprIa-
tons committee, aroused q burst of an
plause when he declared that in his opfn-
ion carriers could not furnish their equip
ment (horse, wagon, etc. and cover TWEEN
ty-hve miles a day and give an efficient
service for $500. Possibly carriers might be
able TO piece out their salaries by doing
an express business. He predicted that If
the salary of carriers was fixed at 5000 Con-
gress would be compelled 10 increase ii
to $1,000 unless the Postoffice Department
made regulations which would, permit the
carriers to secure the additional S400 by do
ing an express business.
After some further debate Mr.. Swan
sons amendment was adopted without d.
vision.
Mr.. Cannon then moved to increase the
amount of the maximum salary from $500
to $1,000, but his motion was lOst-35 to 107.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Fleming,
to do an express package business where
Ii does not interfere with their duties.
Inc remainder OF the paragraph DIONIu-
ing for the contract system for carriers
was then stricken out-91 to 40.
Mr.. Padgett. of Tennessee; offered an
amendement to give ex-Confederate sol
diers the same preference in the selection
Of carriers now enjoyed by x-Union sol
diers. and Mr.. Cromwell, of Ohio, moved
an amendment to the amendment to place
colored men in the preferential class. Mr..
BromwelPs amendment was lost-56 to g.
and Mr.. Padgett's lost-S4 TO 76.
Mr.. Bromwell offered an amendment TO
take from the carriers NThP protection OF
the civil-service law under which they
were placed by executive order.
Mr.. Fleming praised the President for
his courageous position on the subject of
the civil-service law, and intimate that
the purpose of Mr.. Bromwel's amend
ment was to have the bill vetoed.
Mr.. Bromwell replied that he did not
care what happened to the bill when II
got TO the White House. He was liber-
ally applauded when he declared that Con-
gress, as a coordinate branch of the gov
eminent, was not bound to harmonic its
acts with the wishes OF the executive.
When he mentioned the permanent census
bill recently passed, Mr.. Slayden, OF
Texas, asked him what he thought of that
bill in the form in which it became a
law.
II know what members are saying under
their breaths," replied Mr.. Bromwell. i
am afraid some of the comment would not
be printable in the Congressional Record"
ILaughter.J
Mr.. BromwelPs amendment was lost.
Mr.. ]. r. Williams, of Illinois, offered
an amendment providing that any carrier
who shall use his influence in favor of any
political party or candidate for office. upon
proof of such ohense, shall be dismissed
1t was lost-S1 TO us. Mr.. Cannon was the
only Republican who voted with the Dem
ocrats in favor of this provision.
The committee then rose. j. r. Williams
moved TO recommit the bill with instruc-
tons TO report II back with an additional
section covering the amendment he had Of
fered in committee of the whole and which
mad been defeated. A record vote was
taken upon his motion TO recommit. II
was lost-96 TO 141. Three Republicans
Boutell of Illinois, Bromwell of Ohio and
Burton Of Ohio voted for the motion. 9th
erwtse II was a party vote.
The bill then was passed without division
and 5:35 p. m. the House adjourned.
AP0ARn uIc cuTp