The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-04-14

Mr., daye5 nOFeu W eusPenu INC
rules and pass the bill for free trans
mission by mail OF all seeds, cuttings
and plants sent by the Commissioner
OF Agriculture. The rules were not
suspended. Yeas l45; nays 81; not
a two-thirds vote in the affirmative.
Mr.. Stowe moved to suspend the
rules and adopt a resolution reciung the
gross abuses snd irregularities in let
ting mail contracts, and providing tor
an investigation thereof.
The motion to suspend the rules was
not seconded.
Mr.. Beck called attention to the fact
that every Democratic member voted
in the affirmative, and every Repub!i'
can member in the negative.
Mr.. StovelI, q member Of the Post
Office Committee, said that Mr.. Howe
had an opportunity of taking his proofs
before the committee, and the commit
tee would give him hearing to'mor-
row.
Mr.. Packer, chairman OF the COM
mittee made q like statement and said
that if the preamble was struck out
there was no objection to the resoIu-
| ton.
Mr.. Page remarked that q statement
had been cent to the Associated Press
in California at the instlgstion o! his
colleague, Mr.. Suttrell, that this
investigation had been going on for
weeks.
Mr.. Suttrell, (excitedly)-I know
nothing about it and you have no
authority for asserting it. You are
very sensitive on this question.
Mr.. Page stated that over two weeks
ago his colleague (SuttrelD went be-
fore tie postoftice committee making
certain charges and was requested by
the committee to submit his charges in
writing and to sign them. He had
come at different times, and afterwards
when there was 10 quorum present
Then kilograms were sent to California
stating that Suttrell was endeaVoring
to get up this investigation but could
not get it, q statement which was
wholly false.
Suttrell-"No, cir, it was all
true. Nv colleague is very sensitive.
| stated 10 him aud stated TO commit
tee that serious charges had been pre-
ferred in regard to certain postotfice
transactions and was not disposed to
mplicate the POST Master General, but
there had been postofiiCe ring iorm-
ed which was defraudiDg the govern
ment and had defrauded it totbe amour
OF huhdreds OF thousands Of dOlIarst
| afterwards went before the committee,
as agreed to, tu. my colluague dIdn I
appear aud there was no quorum lres-
ent. ] make these charges on the au-
thority OF the very best men IN my
State, Republicans who would be
ashamed OF the action Of their repre-
sentatiyes here tosday. | do not come
here with Leland Standiord's collar
around M neck, Labelled as the tool ot
monopoly | come as a representative
OF the workiDgmen Here there
were loud calls for the question and
re yular order, while Messrs, Page aud
SuttrelI were gesticuatiHg at the same
time, and endesvoripg to make them
selves heard There was hardly mems
Der occupying a seat all were standing
in the aisle, fronting the Speaker +
chair, and the noiso and confusion pre-
vented anything being said or done il
order. At length the Speaker managed
to have order restored by requiring al
members 10 resume their seals.
Mr.Tyuer, a member Of the Postotiice
Committee in the last and the present
Congress, explained all the charges
contained. Mr.. Stoves preamble had
been before the committee last Congress
and had been fully investigated, and
that while the result showed that the
Department had been vctimized by the
system known as "straw hide, no Off
cial connected with the Department had
been at all implicated
Mr.. Randall, also member OF the
Postoffice Committee in the last
and present Congress, differed
somewhat from Mr.. Tyner's conclu
sious as to the result OF the inyestigG
ton oil the last Congress.
r Mr.: Page returned 10 the charge and
read dispatch published in the Sacrs
, mento Uai9n which he said was insti'
gated by his colleague (SuttrelD anC
? which made sta emeuts that were no
= true. His colleague had been re-
quired by the committee TO submit hi
q charges in writing end to slgn them
} and he hal refused 20 sign them.
Mr.. Suttrell, 60 Mr. Page)-Are yot
p not a contractor yoursclt, cir
Mr.. Psge-Yes cir, | am and have
right TO be. TSneers aud laughter OF
the Democratic side Whenever m!
colleague wants to discuss my right Il
5 be a contractor | will 10 it with hin
j before the House.
Mr.. Suttrell-Not all nor DO wan
, to discuss the course which my col
e league pursues either, It's perfect,
/ natural.
;. After further coIloquy and manlies
: tations OF very excited feeling on boti
sides o; the House, it was understoo'
. that the resolution was referred to III
D Postofice committee, aud the Ho12
/ cdiouT0ed