The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-14
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Brief Debate Rural Mail Boxes
The Message Referred.

WASHINGTON, June Is. - During the
greater part of to-day the Senate was in
executive session, the nomination of Cap
tain Crozier to be chief of ordnance of the
army being the particular subject under
consideration. The Presidents message
urging the establishment of reciprocal rela-
lions between the United States and Cuba
was received after the Senate had gone
into secret session. The doors were opened,
the message was read and then the secret
session was resumed.
Soon after the Senate convened the vote
by which the resolutions respecting the
discharge OF Miss Rebecca j. Taylor from
the War Department were referred to the
committee on civil service and retrench-
ment at the instance OF Mr.. Platt. of Con-
necttcut, was reconsidered and the reso-
luton was made subject to the call Of Mr..
Carmack.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Mitch
ell directing the committee on Pacific
islands and Porto Rico 10 inquire into the
general condition of Hawaii the admins
tration of affairs there, the quality, con-
dition and value of the public lands in Ha-
wall, the crown lands and the title of the
former Queen therein, with power 10 sit
during the recess, and by subcommittee
to visit the islands, If necessary, and 10 re-
port at the beginning of the next session;
Mr.. Hoar proposed an amendment 10 the
resolution providing that the committee
should inquire whether the ex-Queen has
any claim against the United States, legal
hitherto with her title. Mr.. Mitchell ac-
cepted the amendment and the resolution
was referred to the committee on Pacific
islands and Porto Rico
MIR. TiIlman presented some of the ad-
vantages of supplying metal mail boxes for
rural free delivery and showed to the SEN
ate a sample box Of sheet steel which could
be purchased for 40 cents. Boxes now sup
piled by private individuals cost from 81. %
to 81 each. Such a price, he said, was a
serious burden on the farmers. Already
ST. 500 900 a year was paid for rural delivery
of mail and he believed such rural delivery
would expand until Ii exceeded the cost OF
city mail delivery. Mr.. Mason. OF Illinois,
chairman of the postofflce and post roads
committee. called attention TO the fact that
there were several manufacturers OF mall
boxes throughout the country, and he
doubted the advisability Of the government
buying a special box from particular
company. He thought the whole business
ought to be open to competition. No action
was taken.
A bill regulating the use of telephone
wires in the District OF Columbia was
passed.
and listened to with profound attention
by senators on both sides of the chamber.
The attendance OF senators was notably
large. The chair announced that the mes
sage would be referred TO the committee
on relations with Cuba.
Mr. Dietrich and Mr. Warren both ad-
dreSSeQ the CndlI anu the latter was TcCOS-
nized and moved an executive session.
us a motion in order. Mr.. PRESIDENT
inquired Mr.. Bailey
at is" replied the chair (Mr. Kean)
II had intended to make a notion" said
Mr. Bailey, facetiously. II will not do it,
but | feel inclined to refer the message to
the Republican caucus" ILaughter.l
Mr. Allison, who was sitting directly
in front of Mr.. Bailey, on the Democra tic
side. and who had listened attentively 10
the reading of the message, turned TO the
| Texan and. smiling with the utmost good
nature, bowed tremendously TO Mr. Bailey.
The chair is not aware" replied Mr.
Kean. that any such committee exists. "
| [Laughterl