The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-22

ne0ce ne ldu not Ueeil Wiling w put tuo
country to the expense of an Investigation,
but if it was the wish of the House or Of
: the gentlemen on the other side to have
one, he should cheerfully assent. Unfor-
tunately he had thrown in the waste
basket the anonymous letters, as he did
with all the anonymous letters he re-
ceived from ten to twenty 3 week and
therefore its handwriting could not be
identified So, too, with the envelopes;
they had been thrown away, and 1t was
q remarkable fact that Aone Of the letters
received by him to day presented any
appearance of having been tampered
with.
Mr.. Kasson said he had favored the
introduction of the resolution not merely
because it concerned the Administration,
an officer of the highest reputation, but
especially because the public confidence
should not be destroyed in the Postottice
Department. During mis- own connection
with that department, at the opening OF
the late war, 20 sacred was the rule OF
the, in nviolability of correspondence that
although repeated representations were
made to local postmasters as 20
the great importance of ascertain
ing hostile proceedings through the
letters deposited in the Postottice, sn
order was issued from the department
prohibiting tsmpering In any way with
such letters. The only alternative tor
investigation suggested was that the
Postmaster General should make It. but
that official had not the power which the
House hsd to make thorough lnvestl-
CATION. He might send special agents,
| but the power 10 summon witnesses and
to take testimony did not exist in hiR
rs it did IN the Committee o. the House.
Unless, there ore, the gentleman Hewitt
would satisfy the public mind by stating
| that he had no sufficient ground Tor his
charge, he did not see that the House
coulQ withhold its assent TO the resolu-
| ton.
Mr.. Hale said it was very c 'ar to him
that this was matter which the House
should not let drop. The lnviolability of
the postoffice department was such that
should be maintained and upheld by
every power of the government. 1t was
all the more important now
that the department should be
undisturbed and unmolestei since yes
terday the house had taken from another
branch OF communication between man
and man all that it had ever had OF in
viohblity. The post office still remains
and the House could do nothing better
| in the exercise OF its highest powers than
TO ferret and probe such matter 10 the bot
tom. Let investigation be made,
most searching and complete, and let
the House know whether there had been
any interference with the correspondence
of any gentleman, and more especially OF
the gentleman from New York Hewitt
who held the foremost place IN one OF
| the political parties of the country.
| That gentleman believed his correspou-
dence had been tampered with and he
had lost his confidence IN the postottice
| department. He had shown him Hale
two letters which he had examined and
had become convinced, as he looked
at the envelopes, that the letters, had
in some way been opened, but whether
in the postotfice or BY writers, who had
then resesled them, neither the gentle
man from New York Hewitt or him
self had been able to say. He had asked
| that gentleman whether he had any
proof rs TO how it had been done, and
| he had answered that he had not; he
did not believe, provided they had been
opened in the New York postcttice, that
| Postmaster james had any know ledge o.
| It. but he said that the gentleman from
| New York believed his correspondence
| had been tsmpercd with and ne was in
| favor OF setting At work every power to
see if that great department was sacred.
Mr.. Springers substitute for Mr..
Platt's resolution was adopted by strict
party vote. IL TO 60. The Republicans
had previously objected to sending the
INQUIRY to Mr.. Cox's committee, now in
| New York investigating election frauds.
Mr.. Willis introduced bill, which
was referred 10 the Com mIttee on Naval
Affairs, providing that the feet of the
navy in the time OF peace, and until the
public safety demands sn increase, shall
consist Of thirty sea-going vessels Of war
to be distributed among the respective
squadrons and divisions. 1t specifies the
number Of line officers, and provides that
their full pay shall be the same MS the
officers of the army, with whom they
take rank; that when on sea ser
vice, the same amount in emolu-
ments will be allowed as to as
simulated grades in the army that
when on duty on shore, the officers shall
be entitled to their full pay without any
allowances. and when on leave of ab-
sence to 62l per cent Of full pay Of their
grade without allowance. RetIr-
ed line officers VINO have seen 20 years
of actual service st sea, snd who have
retired ss staff officers, and who have
seen IA years OF active serviae at sea shall
receive IS per cent Of the full pay Of the
grade from which they were retired, and
sll other officers shall receive one-hsli OF
the full paw Ofthe grade from which they
were retired. In addition 70 the number
OF men allowed - the navy, $50
bows for training may be enlisted.
The Speaker laid before the House 4
telegraphic communication from VIM. K,
Morrison, chairman OF the Louisiana
Investigating Committee. transmitting
record ofthe proceedings before the COM
mIltee IN the case OF + w. Barnes, man
ager of the Western Union Telegraph
Company in New Orleans.
Mr.. Knot. submitted resolution di-
recting that Barues the recussrt wit
ness. be arrested and brought before the
bar Of the House FOR contempt he de-
cined - allow time for discussion, as
suggested from the Republican side Of
the House, and then the Republicans re-
sorted 10 the parliamentary device OF
preventing any action by Withholding
/ their votes so ~ TO have no quorum voi-
| Ing.
Proceedings for the call OF the House
were then begun.
| Finally il was agreed ms; an hours
| discussion should be allowed, and Ar.
GARFIELD spoke against the resolution 90
the ground principally thst the House is
not justified IN treating tslegrsPhIc COM
munIcalious ss an Official report.
Quite long discussion followed and
finally the resolution was adopted with
ost & division.