The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-26
POSTAL BILL PASSED
MEASURE FINALLY GETS
 THROUGH THE HOUSE.
Prolonged Debate on the Paragraph Dealing With the Pay of Ru- ral Mail Carriers-The
 House in Confusion.

Washington. March 25-The House to- day passed the Postofice Appropriation bill after a prolonged debate on the par 1 agraph affecting rural letter carriers, which yesterday was stricken out, but which to-day was inserted with enthu- siasm under a special order of the Com mittee on Rules. Every amendment and substitute offered to this paragraph was voted down.
 Mir. Moon made an unsuccessful attempt to recommit the biEl with instructions to strike out the appropriation Tor special facilities over trunk lines south of Wash. ington and west of Kansas City.
 The bill has been under discussion since March z. At times members vigorously assailed the Postofflce Department and General Bristow and demands were made for an investigation into the Mntire postal service, but Chairman DvH street who has borne the brunt of the Mkacks. stood as barrier to such action.
 Messrs. Livingston (Ga.l. Thayer (Mass.l and Baker (N. Y.), criticized the rules ol the House. Mir. Williams, a member of the rules committee, said he voted for the resolution, because 1t enabled the House to consider fully the rigiitn. Of I'll raI' carriers He eiicited Republican ap- plauss when he said the worst thing the advocates of increased pay for city car riers could do would be to secure meas ures tending to eQualize them with the rural carriers.
 Mir. Mann TIu). became involved in a heated controversy with Mir. Overstreet
 Why" Mir Mann asked, 'is 1t more important that the gentleman shall ob' ject when a resolution of inquiry Is pro posed than when any other subject is being discussed? Why cut off free de- bate?"
 Mir. Overstreet desired to put a ques. tion, but MT. Mann remarked that Mir Overstreet was not in a position to ash or answer questions. Mir. Mann thought the rule should be recommitted and a new one brought in separating the dues' ton of the pay of the rural carries from that of their right to act as a general agent in public capacity. He invited | such 0 proposition, but said MT. Over street would make a point of order against 1t. MessTs. Grosvenor (ohio) and Dalzell (Penn.), defended the rule The chair sustained a point of order by MT. Dalzell on motion by MT. Mann tc | recommit the rule.
 By vivi voce vote the resolution wal agreed to.
 A similar rule regarding the paragraph appropriating $5,0OO for the salary of . purchasing agent for the Postoflce De partment, which went out yesterday. waG reported by Mir Grosvenor from thu Rules Committee. He referred to tho proposed legislation. as wise and in thC interests of a reformation in the matter of purchasing supplies for the PostofficC Department.
 After a prolonged discussion, the orig. inal paragraph brought in by the Com. mittee was agreed to. It provides a sal. | ko 4 prohibits the soliciting of business or the reception of orders by carriers from any | firm, person or corporation, but permits the carriers under certain restrictions tC carry merchandise for hire or upon re quest of patrons residing upon their re spective routes
 Every effort made to amend the s4ctior was voted down. During the efforts tc amend the house was thrown into ar uproar. Members were frantically striv ing to catch the chairman's eye, and tn, greatest confusion prevailed. As eacE amendment was offered. it was rejected by a vociferous "no'' from both sides o the House.
 A motion from Mir. Overstreet that al debate close with A recommendation that | the bill pass. was carried almost unani mousiy. at which there was loud ap- plauso. As Speaker Cannon assumed tho chair he warmly congratulated Mir Rou tell who has acted as presiding oficel throughout the stormy discussion Sf tn, measure. At this the House again brokt into applause
 Mir. Moon CTenn.) moved to recommi the bill to the PostOft1ce Committee witl instructions to strike out appropriation for special facilities over the trunk lne' south of Washington and west or Kan ] sas City, but 1t was lost: years, 114: nays ! 2. The bill then was passed. only on' mo" being heard against 1t. | The Qualifications appropriation bill wal sent to conference and at 5:45 D. m tn House adjourned.