Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-24

Special to the Register.
WASHINGTON, d. c., September %.
Senator Elkins has defrauded the gov
eminent out of the postal charges on
100000 copies of a speech delivered by
him at Charleston, w. Va. July 18th,
by permitting it to be sent through the
mail in envelopes bearing the printed
inscription: ~. S. Senate. Part of Con-
gressional Reeord-F'ree," stamped with
the frank: stephen B. Elkins.'' Afi-
davits to the above facts are given be-
low. The speech, was made upon the
occasion of the West Virginia Republi-
can State Convention, of which Senator
Elkins was chairman, one month after
the adjournment of Congress. The
speech was no part of the Congressional
Record, and the sending of it through
the mail was in direct violation of
law
When the attention of the Postoffico
Department was called TO, the matter,
the officials of the first assistant post
charge of the violations OF che franking
privilege, admitted that the, Senator had
transgressed the law and stated further
that the pleas OF the use of his frank
without his knowledge was no pallia-
ton as every member of Congress was
supposed to protect his frank.
The law is very plain on the subject
and expressly states what public docu-
mn, ~. 10 p. i
that the Congressional Record or any
part OF 1t may be sent free" but moth
ing else. The cost of sending these
documents would not be less than one
cent each, making a total of 81, 1000 for
the whole. If a Republican Senator can
mulct the postoffice department out OF
$4,000 without being answerable to law,
there is no reason why he could not
make 1t five hundred thousand dollars
or more just as he pleased. 1t is strange
that the Postoffiee Department can find
no law TO cover this case, and yet could
easily discover authority so seize the
anti-imperialisti literature sent out by
Edwin Atkinson.
representative Loudenslager, who is
in charge of the eastern headquarters
Of the Republican Congressional Com
mittee and under whose Jurisdiction
West Virginia comes, refused to commit
himself as to whether or not Senator
Elkins was guilty of violating the law
without knowing all the particulars
connected with the affair
The offense is not punishable, as no
penalty is prescribed. but upon the at
tention of the presiding officer of either
house of Congress being called to the
matter, the culprit may be brought to
the bar and reprimanded for conduct
unbeeoming member of the law-mak-
ing power of the land.
Herewith are attached afidavits OF
two reputable citizens of Cabell county.
west Virginia, one a merchant, the
other an attorney
State of West Virginia, }
To wit:
Cabell County.
T. S. Scanlon, being first duly sworn
by the undersigned authority. says:
That he is resident OF the city OF
Huntington, West Virginia, and Is en-
gagged in the retail shoe business in said
city
That about five or six weeks ago a
regularly employed United States mail
Carrier OF said city, while on duty and
delivering United States mail, left in my
store, in said city, Congressional
franked envelope containing therein this
speech of Senator stephen B. Elkins.
delivered at the Republican State Cor
vention. at Charleston, on July 18th
1900. That on said franked envelope
were the words Senate United States.
part of Congressional Record-Free.' -
and on another corner was the auto
graph signature of s. Elkins. u. s. S.:
That no postage or stamps Of any kind
were on said envelope: That said en-
velope was not sealed and was address
ed to NJ. B. Davis, Republican police
man of the city Of Huntington: That
1T is custom OF Mr.. Davis 10 receive
his mail at my store, where it is left By
the mail carrier.
(signed) T. 5. ScANLoN
Sworn and subscribed TO before re
in said county this 18th day OF 5eptem-
Der, 1900.
(signed) O. j. WILKINSON.
Notary Public.
State of West Virginia,
cabell County. 70 W.T.
Herbert Fitzpatrick, being first duly
sworn by the undersigned authority,
says: That he is a resident OF the city
Of Huntington, West Virginia, and Is
practicing lawyer at the Cabell county
far.
That about five or six weeks ago vas
in the store Of Mr.. r. s. Scanlon, mer-
Chant Of Huntington, and was shown
Congressional franked envelope direct
ec, unsealed. 10 ". 3. Dayis. a Republic
car policeman Of the said city: That
the said envelope bore no stamp, but on
il were the following words: Senate
United States. Part Of Congressional
Record-Free, and also the autograph
signature OF 8. y. Eikins, u. s. g.:
This affidavit further says: That the
envelope was then shown TO him by 8Ir.
Scanion TO contain nothing except the
speech delivered by Senator stephen e.
Elkins at the State Republican Conven-
ton held In Charleston, W. Va.
iS.gned)
HERBERT FITZPATRICK.
Sworn and subscribed TO before me III
this my said county. 18th day of Sep
TENDER. 1900
lSigned) o. j. WILKINSON.
Notary Public.
NATIONAL LEAGUE.