Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-16
UTAH POSTMASTERS
Another Polygamy Investigation
Commenced Today.
HOUSE POST OFFICE COMMITTEE
Representative Lentz is Questioned
by the Chairman.
L HE OFFICIAL RECORD

post offices and post roads committee, of
which Mr.. Loud is chairman, took up the
resolution, heretofore adopted by the
House. offered by Mr. Lentz of Ohio, as fol-
folws:
Whereas it is charged and generally be-
lieved that John c. Graham, postmaster at
Provo City Utah, presidential appointee,
is ineligible to hold a federal office for the
same reason that it is alleged Brigham
H. Roberts is ineligible to seat in the
House Of Representatives; and whereas it
is charged and generally believed that Or
son Smith, postmaster al Logan. Utah, a
presidential appointee. is ineligible to hold
federal office for the same reason that
1t is alleged Brigham II. Roberts is in
eligible TO seat in the House of Repre-
sentatives:
Therefore, resolved, that the committee
OF the post office and post roads shall have
power and be directed to send for persons
and papers and examine witnesses on oath
In relation to said federal appointees, John
{. Graham and Orson Smith, and that
after said examination said committee shall
report to this House of Representatives
whether 1t is true. as frequently alleged,
that said John c. Graham and Orson Smith,
presidential postmasters, respectively, at
Provo city, Utah, and Logan, Utah, are
now and for some months have been un-
der indictments as polygamists, and
"iietIeE II IL true t0at at Jne t1me OF tnelf
appointment, more than two years ago, said
two postmasters We're open and notorious
polySamiStS, and whether or not at the
time of their appointment prior thereto
affidavits and papers evidencing such
polygamy of both or either one of them
were on file.''
Mr. Lentz Questioned.
Mr.. Lcntz appeared before the committee
and was asked if he thought the committee
should be called upon to go into the gen
eral question of polygamy in Utah. He re-
piled that he Gid not. and that he realized
the committee had no real power in the
case, but was about to 'pigeonhole" the
resolution.
Chairman Loud repelled this insnuation
The committee, he said, would pigeonho1e
nothing
Mr.. Lentz said he wanted the committee
to do just what the resolution required. If
1t was true that polygamists are drawing
federal salaries, he wanted that fact
ported to the House, and he thought the
House would find the power to cut off such
practice.
Questioned as to the character of the evil
dence which could be produced to sustain
the charges that the administration had
knowingly appointed polygamists to fed
eral offices, Mr.. Lentz asserted that he
knew that papers had been filed with the
President making charges of polygamy
against the officials in question. Private
Secretary Porter had receipted for them.
IheSe papers, however, cannot now be
found.
Mr.. GrOsvenOr's Alleged Remark.
Mr. Lentz said that Representative Gros-
venor had said to him, You don't suppose
We We're fools enough to let grass grow
under our feet, do you? AS soon your
charges We're brought we had men look into
this matter"
Mr. Bromweu Of the committee suggested
that Mr. Grosvenor had not meant to i'm
ply that the papers had been abstracted,
but only that when the charges were
alleged a search had been made to see if
there was foundation for them.
Mr.. LcntZ said he would not attempt to
construe Mr.. Grosvenor's meaning. He gave
the remark as it was made.
Several members Of the committee de-
manded that Mr.. Grosvepor be summoned,
but he could not be found. He will appear
at the next meeting.
Chairman Loud read to the committee
the following letter from the Postmaster
General:
Postmaster Generals Letter.
ION looking into the papers as to the
postmastership at Logan, Utah, l find the
facts TO be as follows:
"Orson Smith was appointed postmaster
November 10, 1897, upon the recommended
ton of the referees in the usual way. There
was nothing in the papers to indicate that
he was a pOlygamiSt CT that any such al
legation had been made respecting him. not
word to raise that question in connection
with the appointment He was confirmed
by the Senate January 90 1898.
After his appointment there was a let
ter from the Rev. Mr.. Clemenson bearing
date November %, 1887, and addressed to
the President, which was sent to the Post
Office Department and there received No
vember 80. There is nothing to indicate
that any attention was attracted to it. The
appointment had been made, and as thou
sands of papers come in, 1t was filed away
apparently without examination. There is
no other paper in the case indicating any
such allegation until December 81 some
weeks after the nomination was in the
Senate
"As to the Provo City case the facts are,
as l stated to you. that there is no paper
In the department of any date making an
allegation of polygamy against the incum-
bent, but that when it became matter of
public report some time ago l wrote to the
marshal of the territory asking him for
any information in his possession and he
state court, and the postmaster had been
held over for trial, which soon to take
place. We decided that we ought not to
ccnviCt in advance of trial, and reserved
action until the judicial determine tton."
Witnesses Expected Friday.
1t was decided to resume the investiga-
ton next Friday, when Private Secretary
Porter and Postmaster General Smith will
be requested to appear before the commit
tee and bring all papers in the case.
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w, ID, BYNUM'S NOMINATION..