The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-18
Williams Says the Republicans
 COuId't Avoid Prosecuting
vANSANT CAUSED TROUBLE
Minority Leader Makes Some Warm Comments on the Attitude of the Two Political Parties
 Toward Trusts.

Washington, Aiarch 17.-Just before ad- journment today Mir Southwick of New York precipitated a brief but lively de- bate by having read an editorial from the New York World giving republicans credit for antitrust legislation and the merger prosecution. It was offered by way of re- ply to MT. Williams. who asked yesterday if the merger decision was to be used by the republicans as a theatrical political brick
 MT. Williams, after the editorial had been read declared that the securities prosecution was instigated by Governor Vansant whom he styled "a blanket h. elan republican," who refused to consult headquarters, and that for very shame. after ne had the case docketed. the ad- ministratlon prior to an election. could rot hold itself still MT Tawney of Min neapolis asserted that the democrats in the Flfty-hrst congress voted against antitrust legislation. but a vigorous pro- test came from MT. Gaines of Tennessee and Mir. Williams. each of whom assert cd that the democrats had unanimously voted for such legislation.
 Throughout the day the postoffice ap- rropriation bill was under discussion and little progress was made.
 The house set apart Sunday March 27. as a day for memorial addresses on the life and character of the late Representa- tive Burlx of Pennsylvania.
 On motion of MT. Marnard of yir- ginla. It was agreed that when the house adjourns tomorrow. 1t be until Monday.
 Providing for Georgia Court.
 Bills were also passed providing for the holding oe courts in the eastern division of the northern judicial distgice of Goorsza Ut Atnens t4a., and ffa sfer- ing the county of Pierce, Iii Georgia rom the eastern to the southwestern division of the United States district court for tho southern district of Georgia. The house then went into committee of the whole. further to consider the pcstoffice appro- priation bill which was read for amend ment.
 MT. Maddox of Georgia requested of Mir. Overstreet. chairman of the postoffice committee. an explanation of an item of 5000 for advertising, saying:
 "As 1t has been said there are lot or rascals in the department, we probably will be little more particular hereafter.
 MT. Overstreet said the administration estimate of $7000 had been reduced by the committee and the amount would be used almost exclusively in the supply divis- ion in advertising for bids. After some discussion by MT. Thayer of Massaehu- setts. MT. Ryder of New York and MT. Stephens of Texas. the provision was agreed to.
 Pursues Same Tactics.
 Mir Maddox. pursuing the same tactics, rqoufriner an axnianafton of the next item of $20O0, flor miscellaneous expenses in the office of the postmaster general" Mir. Overstreet answered that the committee had deemed 1t wise to grant the postmas- ter general $2.00O as each of his assistants were allowed s1,000, and they thought the postmaster general certainly should be allowed that much for emergencies.
 An amendment to reduce the amount to sl,O00 was lost
 MT Conner of Indiana wanted the ap- propriation of s7.5O0 for compensation and expenses of United States delegate to the universal postal congress at Rome re- duced to s5.0o0. The difference in the amounts. he said, was intended to pay the expense to Rome of a former member of the house. referring to MT. Loud, whose voice." he sald always had been raised in the interest of economy"
 In a question of this kind. MT. Over street said in reply: The United States could not be too strict fin the matter o6 economy"
 After lively debate, participated in by Messrs. Thayer of Massachusetts, Fos- ter of Vermont, Butler of Pennsylvania, Gaines of Tennessee, Mann of Illinois. Sib- ley of Pennsylvania, Maddox of Georgia, the amendment was agreed to by a vote by telers of ss to 75
 Williams Offers Amendment, To the provision appropriating s2a, ,25ooog for compensation of pastmasters, MT. wiI- Hams of Mississippi offered an amendment providing that no part of this amount shall be expended until the postmaster general shall have determined and made public fixed rule whereby clerical e. sistance shall be allowed or refused to postmasters of all grades. He said he offered the "amendment so that members of congress may not be unjustly accused of attempting unduly to influence the postoffice department"
 Upon being informed that Assistant At torney General Robb yesterday had passed upon the unusual business re- quiring additional clerks. MT. Williams asked that his amendment be temporarily passed over.
 Mir. Williams made a point of order against the provisions In the bill design ing certain postoffice employees as cash iers." night superintendents," ''superin- tendents of carriers" "superfntendents of inquiry" etc. He said 1t was simply means of putting favorites into places at salaries higher than they already re- ceived. After an extended debate the point of order was sustained. Mir Williams followed this up by mak- ing a point of order to the proposition to give stamp clerks who may be assigned as "chlef" s27O0 as against s170o which they now receive.
 Argues for a Retention, Mir. Cowhard of Missouri and Mir. Over street argued for a retention of the s2700 salary provided by the bill on the ground that the salary of men performing such duties should not he too meager. Mir Williams insisted that this ought not be an attempt reorganize the post office department in an appropriation bill. If 1t is to be reorganized it should be done in a specific way
 Mir Williams included in his objection | cashiers who salaries he was opposed to (continued on Eighth Paael