New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-24
STATESMEN AS HUMORISTS.
SPEND MOST or THE DAY IN
POKING Fun AT EACH OTHER

REPRESENTATIVES, SPEND MOST or TIE DAY IN
PoKING Fun AT EACH OTHER.
Washington. Sept ?3.-The House was amused
this morning by question Of privilege raised by
Mr. Bretz Dem, Ind. it was in regard 10 tht
failure Of the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
in declining to change postmasters in a little VII
lage in his district Some time ago he had had oc-
cason TO recommend the change. lie had fled
charges against the incumbent, and had hled letters
in support of those charges. That recommendation
and those letters seemed have become lost in
the marvellous rules anl modification OF regula-
tons Of the Postofiice Department.
Mr. Bretz then sent to the Clerks desk ana had
read one Of the letters on which he based his
charges 1t was from the postmaster, and addressed
TO the chairman of the Republican Central COM
mttee Of the county. 1t was couched IN broken
German English. and greatly amused the HOUSE
In II ne said that hereafter he would vote the
straight Republican ticket. He was sorry that ne
had not done the last time. This sentenc" was
received by the Republicans with laughter ana APP
pause.
Mr. Burrows Rep., Mich) remarked that the
story was an interesting one but he could hardly
see how il presented question of privilege.
"Oh." suggested Mr. Cannon Rep. I'D. in mock
seriousness. 1T may be case OF impeachme"''
O-aughter)
Mr. Bret2 thought that the reading OF the letter
would show what his question OF privilege was.
A letter from the postmaster to Mr.. Bretz was
read. asking that he might be retained in Office.
The postmaster declared that he was Demo
GRAFT and went On TO say: Il VIII make you 1"
present of SIS If you Will let me keep the Office
| shust make you a present OF this sum. o-aush-
teri hope you will keep this letter as s'ric's
private between me and you" Q-auGhter)
On this letter, said Mr.. Bretz. he had hien
charge of bribery. He had personally caIled ue
attention of the Fourth Assistant Postmaster-Gen-
eral TO the fact and had asked for chanse lie
had been refused QaughterD He then onereu
a resolution for the appointment OF committee
of three members to investigate the reason why
Robert a. Maxwell, Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General, had not made the change r"qdtseu,
The Speaker said that this was rot privileged
resolution. Then Mr.. Bretz asked unanimous con-
sent for its consideration. but to this MI Tracey
dem ~ " objected. and the incident ended
The report Of the Committee on Accounts CIV
ing an additional clerk 70 the Committee on Naval
Affairs was postponed until Monday, ana the
House. in Committee of the Whole, pToceeded 10
the consideration Of the bill renting the penal
ties on account of delay in the construction OF
the dynamite cruiser NesuviuS. Pending action, the
morning hour expired and the comittce rose.
The Printing bill was then laid before the House
as the unfinished business
Mr. Pickler QIep., 5. D. took advantage OF q few
moments TO enter his protest
Mr. Cummings Dem, " " offered an amend
nent adding Medicine Lodge, Kan, to the list Of
cite" IN Nncn blIIS lOI paper H't'"iN " i"'''''
He offered the amendment, NJ said. in the Interest
Of science. literature and art The country wanted
TO know soraeteipg Of Medicine Lodge. which had
given TO this House one Of the most remarkable
statesmen the country had ever produced. Qaush-
teri
Mr. Simpson Pop, Kan) heartily irlorsed the
amendment N-aughtcr) The great city OF Medi-
cine Lodge was near the OF population. There
was a Republican paper published there and until
the Republicans OF Kansas had peruSed that paper
thcv dd not ala to express their opinions. There
was another great POpulist paper. and ne thought
that both thesc papers should nave the dement, Oh
the advertisement. O.aughtc.D
Mr. Cummings said that, having heard Of the
glores OF Medicine Lodge ne would withdraw his
amendment Mr.. Simpson renewed IT, but II wds
defca ed. $500
adjourned.