The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-19
MR.. GROSVENOR HEARD.
His Statement Concerning Charge,
Made by Mr. LeBtz-


Made by Mr. LeBtz.
The investigation into the charges that
the President appointed polygamists 70 Of
fee in Utah was renewed This morning by
the House Committee on PostofHces and
Postroads. The investigation is the result
Of a resolution introduced by Mr.. Lentz OF
Ohio. setting forth that it had been charged
in the public press that John c. Graham.
postmaster at Provo City, Utah. and Orson
Smith. postmaster at Logan, Utah. were
polygamists. and. therefore. Ineligible 10
hold Office. and that charges which had
been pUferred against them had been ig-
nored b, the Administration.
Mr.. Lentz was not present az the open
ing Of the session this morning Chairman
Loud called the committee TO order al
1880 O'Clock and IL was agreed that u.
investigation should proceed without Mr.
LentZ Chairman Loud read the state
ment made Wednesday by Mr. Lentz In
the statement Mr. Lent said that Mr..
Grosyenor had told him on a train that the
Republicans were not FOOLS enough TO let
any grass grow under their feet after he.
LentZ had made his charges.
Mr.. Grosv@nOr, who was present 20 reply
70 this statement. said he was on train
on December Is. 1893 when Mr. LentZ and
Mr.. Towne came in. His conversation was
private. He had no idea that it would be
reported He said he had investigated the
matter which the committee had before il
and found there was nothing in the
charges. He thought nothing would be
gained by an Investigation. Mr.. GrOsvenOr
in substance admitted tre truth OF the con-
versation as reported by Mr. Lentz, but
he was positive he never used the language
we would not be such fools as 20 let
the grass grow under our feet
Postmaster General Smith followed Mr.
Grosyenor. He said the letter he furnish
cd the committee last Wednesday contain
ed all the facts in the case briefly stated.
Mr. Loud read the letter fo- the informa-
tion Of the committee In the letter the
Postmaster General stated no charge had
been preferred against the two Utah post
masters before their appointments The
letter 10 the President from the Rev Mr.
Clemson, Of Utah, on the appointment Of
Orson Smith charging Smith with polyg-
amy, was read by the chairman.
The Postmaster General explained that
1900 letters were received by his depart
ment almost daily. 1t frequently happen
ed that letters were received and not read
in the department The letter OF the Rev
Mr.. Clemson TO -5.~ President said I
again write you. etc.
Griggs Mr- Smith said he had no record
Of any OF the letters having been received
from the Rev Mr.. Clemson. The POST
master General said that letters preferriug
charges against applicants were not sent
20 the Senate unless requested In response
10 Mr. Swanson. the Postmaster General
said the question Of pOlygamy had not been
officially brought 20 the attention Of the
Fostofhce Department in connection with
the appointment OF the Utah pcztmas;e-s.
Mr.. Lent came in about 1850 O'Clock
and paid close attention Co the testimony
Of Mr.. smith. AT the conclusion Of the
FlStmastr- Generals remarks the state
m0nt Of General Gr0svenOr ves read for
the benefit Of Nr Lcutz.
Chairman Loud then read the statement
made by Mr. LeutZ before the committee
and asked II IL was correct. Mr. LeutZ
then detailed the conversation ho had
with Mr.. GrosvenCr ca the train. which
WAS In substance the same as given by
Mr. G-OsTCIur- with the exception that
Mr. Leutz stiH coutended that AIr. Grosve-
cor said: DO sou suppose the Republic
ans are such fools as 20 iet The grass grow
under their feet after you had made your
charges Mr. Lentz did not consider the
conversation private 10 was about a pub
lie matter and concerned public men
James L. Bristow. Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General took the stand and
explained the method Of briehng papers
for the use OF the Postmaster General
He said there was nothing on file In the
department at the time Of Orson Smiths
appointment 10 show that he was a polyC-
anist- After giving a detailed statement
OF the method employed by the depart
ment in briefng and filing letters relating
! 20 appointment Of p0stmasters the com
mittee adjourned 10 meet on Tuesday at
10 O. m when the Fourth Assistant Post
/ master General viii be present with all
/ the papers in the case.