Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-26
TO INVESTIGATE ITS POSTMASTER
A Resolution by MIR. Enloe Creates q
Sensation In the House.

NE MAKES CHARGES AGAINST THE PRESENT posi-
MASTER OF RECEIVING MONEY FROM THE MAIL
CoSTRAcToR-rHE PRACTICE SAID TO HAVE
ORIGINATED USDER FORMER ADMINISTRATIONS.
Mr. Enlos has a little way. peculiarly his own
Of stirring up excitement in the House, and
yesterday afternoon he fully kept up his repu-
tation by introducing q resolution providing
for an investigation by the committee on post
offices and post roads Of the official conduct OF
J. L. Wheat, the postmaster Of the House, and
charging that Official with pecuiation. The
resolution charges that Postmaster Wheat
gave out the contract for carrying the House
mails for the full sum appropriated. $4,000 per
year. but with the understanding with the con-
tractor. Samuel Culbertson that Wheat should
be paid $50 per month in return. Such sum,
the resolution claims, was paid and received
for fve-months.
The resolution created considerable excite
ment and the space in front of the Speakers
desk was Immediately crowded by interested
members.
1t was suggested bv Mr.. Bingham and nc
cepted by Mr.. EnlOe that the investigation be
made by the committee on accounts instead of
the committee on post Offices and post roads.
Mr.. Hopkins 1ll) then proposed that tho in
vestigation be broadened as to include the
previous postmaster. Mr.. Hopkins said il was
understood that the contract mentioned was
one which had come down to Mr.. Wheat from
his predecessor. Mr.. EnlOe said that If the
predecessor of Mr.. Wheat had done anything
wrong he should be Investigated; he had no de-
sire TO shield democratic official.
Az INHERITANCE FROM FORMER ADMINISTRATIONS.
Mr.. Caswell placed a new phase on the ques-
ton by his remarks. Mr.. Caswell said the con-
tract complained Of had como down from the
last postmaster, and in December. when Mr.
Wheat was installed, had until June TO run.
Mr.. Wheat for some months. not thoroughly
understanding the matter. accepted this
money thinking it to be lawful perqui-
site. when this had run along In
this manner" continued Mr.. Caswell,
flor four or five months under the present adj
mlnistfa'ion OF the post Office OF the House
the,present postmaster became satisfied, when
he had become thoroughly familiar with the
duties of the Office, that il not a proper
and legal perquisite, and he thereupOn took
counsel. which counsel. as well as other per-
sons, advised him that il was not q legal per-
quisite and did not belong to the office, and
that thereupon he covered every dollar of il
into the Treasury of the United States and
took receipt for it; and that he holds the re-
ceipt for such payments now; and further. that
there Is not in his hands one single dollar of
money that does not belong to him." Jap
plause on the republican side.
Mr.. wHEArE's POSITION EXPLAINED.
After some little debate Mr.. Enloe asked:
Does the gentleman assert that he knows that
the postmaster himself knew that his prede-
cesSor did receive this money?
Mr.. Caswell-I am so informed, and am in
formed that 1t was explained to him by either
the postmaster or some of his assistants and
by this contractor that this sum of $50 was a
part of his Perquisites. i am SO informed;
know nothing of the facts myself And be-
heye that the present postmaster. for the
period Of time which he received this
money. thought that il legally belonged to him
for being responsible for the custody and care
OF the teams and the wagons and the safe con-
duct OF the mails but do not think that it
was the correct practice, and he became salts
fed that 1t was not the correct practice and
that IL did not belong to him, and as soon as he
was so satisfied he returned this money to the
Treasury, where it belonged and instead of
making contract for the present service ut
$1,000 year. which has been the uniform ap-
preparation and amount paid for a long series
OF years, he has. understand 1t, now made a
contract for carrying the mails and furnishing
these teams for $4,000. thereby saving to the
government $1,000 a year for this service, and
this he did months ago of his own accord.
Mr.. Heard wanted not only the next previous
postmaster included ii the investigation, but
as many previous pOstmasters as was necessary
to ind out where the practice started.
EXTENDING THE INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Hopkins moved to amend the resolution
by extending the investigation to the postmas-
tiers of the Forty-ninth and Eiftieth Congresses.
After a short discussion Mr. Hopkins demanded
the previous question. which was ordered
yeas. los; nays, SO. Mr.. Hopkins amendment
was then agreed to and the resolution passed