The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-08-18

For the benefit OF those who may
be mystified by the claims and coun-
ter-claims OF various individuals, The
Independent has taken the trouble to
make thorough investigation OF the
Congressional Record. Last yeai 5otE
senator's from Georgia tClay and Da-
COM made the claim in behalf OF MT.
| Watson and the state OF Georgia Tor
| originating the idea of real rlrai free
delivery-and it was not cOntroverted
by any senator present The follow
.na Quotations fiI .acola uan
be verified by any r.ison wno Will
take, the trouble to dc so:
Mr.. Clay. Mr. President: desire
to say to the senator in charge CT this
bill that wish to submit some re-
MARKS. and that | shall not take. more
than ten or fifteen minutes CT the
time OF the senate.
The Presiding officer: Does the
senator from Illinois yield to the SEN
ator from Georgia?
Mr.. Mason: | yield to the senator
for his remarks, but the senator from
Maryland (Mr. McComas). has asked
the privilege of offering an amend
ment, and want the senator from
Maryland to understand that after tne
senator from Georgia has finished. he
may offer it.
! Mr.. Clay: Mr. President an cxami-
nation of the Congressional Record of
February IT, 1898, shows that the post
Office appropriation bill was pending
in the house of representatives, and
when an item of free delivery service,
including existing experimental free
delivery offices, OF $11,254,91 was
reached, Hon. r. E. Watson, Who was
then a member OF the house OF rep
fresentatiyes from Georgia, introduced
the following amendment:
For free delivery service, inciud-
j ing existing experimental free deliv-
cry offices, s11 ,254 ,S43, of which sum
j $4,000 shall be applied, unGer the
direction of the postmaster general
to experimental free delivery in rn-
raj communities other than towns
and villages.
1 Further examination of the Congress
lsional Record shows the following col
loquy to have taken place between
1 members:
Mr.. Holman: reserve point of
order on that amendment.
Mr.. Watson: This reduces the
i exrediture provided for IN the bill.
Mr. Henderson of North Caro-
lima: desire to reserve point Of
order
The Chairman: A point CT order
has already been reserved.
Mr.. Watson: Mr. Chairman, the
paragraph under consideration pro-
vides for the expenditure of S11 ,254,-
943 for free delivery service. My
amendment reduces the amount OF
that expenditure and simply directs
that the postmaster general shall
apply $4,000 of the appropriation
!; to experimental free delivery in
rural communities.
Mr. Loud. That is already pro-
vded for; the gentleman will ac-
complish nothing by his amendment
Mr. Watson Ii is not. provided
for in rural districts other than
| towns and villages. There is NO ex-
detrimental service In rural COM
, munities other than towns aud vii
. lagos.
Mr. Buchanan OF New Jersey: You
| mean truly rural"
Mr.. Watson: Yes, sir: the rsa
country.
} Mr., Holman. think there L
} some misapprehension rs TO the lav
} on this subject. | would like 10 ask
| the gentleman from North Carolina
/ In charge OF this bill what the exist.
: ing law isg
MIR. Henderson OF North Carolina:
! There Is no law on the subject pro,
) vidins for rural free delivery or OK
perlments In that direction. Their,
I Is law which provides for cx
periments In small towns and vii
: lagos. aud forty-elght of these nov
. have free delivery, That condition 4
: preserved Ia thla bill but mo- pro
J vision IL made for rural free dtliy
! cry
: AlF Watson The present lay
! provides for an experimental deliv