The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-03-23
MOON DEFENDS
GEN. BRISTOW
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service out of the hands of the fourth as
| sstant postmaster general and transfer
ring them back to the first assistant post
master generals office Mr.. Overstreet
made the point of order that the amend :
ment nterferred with the proper consid-
GRAFTON of the bill, and was not ger
name.
In an elaborate opinion Mr. Boutelle of
Illinois, in the chair, sustained the point
of order.
To get around this decision Mr.. Butler
offered an amendment transferring to the
first assistant postmaster general so mucn
of the free delivery service as was covered
by the appropriation of 100000 for let
ter carriers In offices already estab-
lished for substitute carriers temporary
carriers at summer resorts, holiday elec-
ton and emergency service. The chalr
overruled a point of order against the new
amendment whereupon MI OVerstreel
urged that the amendment be voted down.
In a vigorous speech Mr.. Butler declar-
ed that he did not think 1t was well to put
the whole postoffice department under
the fourth assistant postmaster general.
"It is not right" he said, ITO put l02,OOO
under the charge and direction of one Of
ficer Of the government, unless he is
major general of high rank. II the
amendment did not prevail, he declared,
tn efourth assistant postmaster general
general would have twice as many people
under him as were in. the regular army.
Moon Defends General Bristow.
Mr.. Moon of Tennessee, the ranking
democratic member of the committee, OPP
posed the Butler amendment lie SAID
that IL General Bristow was incompetent
then the motion should be entertained.
The house must look at the motion behind
It. This suggestion, he declared, would
not have been thought of unless there has
been some feeling somewhere against
General Bristow. Il submit to the house,
he said, that the country will say II you
take this step you intended to visit pun
ishment on the fourth assistant postmas-
ter general for the part he took in dis
covering fraud and Furnishing fraud In the
office of the first assistant postmaster gen
eral'
1t was he said not the time to do this.
why" he asked, should we place the
control of these things back under a dis
credited bureau of the government? Why
take If from the bureau that has brought
about the prosecutions of these wrongs p
In a sarcastic vein he inquired: Have
you such feeling towards Bristow because
he has discharged his duty that you pro-
from the postmaster general the discre-
ton given him."
He said certain members were chatting
under the recent postoffice department
report, and added:
II think you are getting as far from
him as you can. The house ought to
stay by Bristow just little longer"
His remarks were greeted with APP
plause.
lIvernash Offers Amendment.
Mr.. Livernash offered an amendment to
the Butler amendment increasing the
amount for letter carriers to $23 600 and
increasing the salaries of carriers. The
Livernash amendment was lost, 81 to IS,
and the Butler amendment was also lost,
10 to 81
Charles B. lands Of Indiana called at
tention to what he said was the ridiculous
practice of the department in renting
cancelling machines and offered an
amendment for their purchase outright
During the latest year, he said, the de-
partment spent $176,O00,oo0 for this pur-
pose He spoke of a machine which he
said could be bought outright by the gov
eminent for s35 cash. In four years, he
said, the rental of each machine in the
service amounted to $500.
Mr.. Stafford Of Wisconsin opposed the
amendment.
Mr.. Overstreet also opposed the amend
ment, saying that the cost for this work
done by clerks would be enormously in
creased, should the government be UNI
able to purchase the machines.
The Lands amendment was agreed to.
GA to 3S.
The resignation of Charles Dick as rep
resentative from Ohio to take effect at
noon tomorrow waa read.
At $50 o'clock the house adjourned.