Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-03-11
57TH CONGRESS.
House Passes Rural Free De-
livery Classification Bill.
But So Changed That The Carriers
Profit Greatly Thereby.
Sec. Long Resigns-Succeeded by
Moody of Massachusetts,.

Washington, March 1O.-The bill to
classify the rural free delivery service
and place the carriers under the con-
tract system, which has been debated
in the House for over a week, was
passed, today, but in a form which
completely changed the purpose for
which it was framed. Before it was
passed the bill was altered radically by
it's opponents. All of the provisions re-
lating to placing carriers under the
contract system were stricken out and
the salary system was not only cOntin-
ued but the maximum salary of carriers
was increased from $500 to 5000 a year.
A motion offered by Williams, Dem,
ILL.,. to re-commit the bill with instruc-
tions to report back an amendment pro-
viding for the dismissal of carriers who
should use their influence in favor of
any particular party, or for any par
ticular candidate, was voted down, 90
to 141.
AS passed the bill classifies the rural
free delivery service and fixes the COM
pensation of employees as follows:
Special agents in charge of divisions,
not exceeding $24OO per annum; special
agents, four classes. graded from $1,000
to $1,000; route inspectors, four classes,
from 5000 to $1,000; clerks, four classes,
from $500 to $1,000. The compensation
of carriers is not to exceed $500. To-
morrow. the post Office appropriation
bill will be considered.
Gov. Odell of New York, was on the
floor of the House renewing old ac-
quaintances when that body met al
noon, today. Burton, Ohio, chairman
of the river and harbor committee, re-
ported the river and harbor bill and
gave notice that he would call it uI
after the disposal of the post office
appropriation bill.
The Senate amendments to the
diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill were non-concurred in and the
bill sent to conference.
Ray, N. Y, filed the minority report
on the irrigation bill.
A bill was passed to grant permis-
sion to the G. A. r. to erect a monu-
ment to the memory of Benjamin f.
Stephenson founder of the G. A. r.,
in the District of Columbia.
GrosvenOr, Ohio, offered a resoliu>
ton rendering the thanks of Congress
to Secretary of State Hay for his Nc
Kinley memorial address and asked
immediate consideration for it. Rich
ardson, Tenn, thought the resolution
should first be considered by a COM
mittee and upon his objection it 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 5-minuty,
rule.
Swanson, Va, offered an amendment
providing for salaries for carriers at not
exceeding $500 per year with an added
provision that no other or further allow
ance or salary shall be made to said
carriers. After some further debd .
Swanson's amendment was adopted with
out division.
Cannon then moved to increase the
amount of the maximum salary from $500
to $1,000, but this motion was lost
Amendment offered by Fleming Ga
was adopted to allow carriers to do an
express package business where it does
not interfere with their duties. The re-
mainder of the paragraph of the bill
providing for the contract system for car-
riers was then stricken out, 81 to 40
Patgett, Tenn., offered an amendment
to give ex-Confederate soldiers the same
preference in the selection of carriers
now enjoyed by eX-Union soldiers and
Bromwell, Ohio moved an amendment to
the amendment to place colorsd men III
the preferential class. Bromwelrs
amendment was lost, Sc to g. and Pat
getts lost, "a to ~.
Bromwell, Ohio, offered an amendme mt
that the protection of the civil service
law under which they were placed by ex-
f.,lyx Fvrsw,
Fleming, Ga, praised the President for
his courageous position on the subject of
the civil service law and intimated that
the purpose of Bromwelrs amendmen.
was to have the bill vetoed. Bromweli
replied that he did not care what happen
ed ito the bill when it reached the White
House. He was literally applauded whcn
he declared that Congress as a co-ordi-
nate branch of the government was not
bound to harmoniZe it's acts with the
wishes of the Executive.
When he mentioned the permanent cen-
sus bill recently passed. Slayden. Texas,
asked him Nwhat he thought of that bill
in that form in which ii became a law.
Il know what the members are saying
under their breath" replied Bromwell.
Il am afraid some of the comment would
not be printable in the Congressional Rec
ord" uaugnter).
Bromwells amendment was lost.
J. r. Williams. H., offered an amend
ment providing that any carrier who
fense. 1t was lost, 81 to 40. Cannon.
H.. was the only Republican who voted
win the Democrats in favor of this prop
osition.
The committee then rose. Williams
moved that the bill be re-committed with
Instructions to report 1t back with an
additional section covering the amend
ment he had offered in committee Of the
whole, which had been defeated. A rec
ord vote was taken upon his motion to re :
commit. 1t was lost. SO to 14l. Three Re-
publicans, Boutell, ILL.,. Bromwell. Ohio.
and Burton, Ohio. voted for the motion.
Otherwise it was party vote.
The bill then was passed without divis-
ion and at 5.35 r. NJ, the House adj
journed.