The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-20
DE ARMoND MAKES A Wall.
Says Assistant Postmaster General
Would Not Reply to His Letters.

Says Assistant Postmaster General
would Not Reply to His Letters.
Washington. Dec. 19.-Before the
House adjourned to-day over the holi-
day recess a special order was made
for the consideration of the Nicaragua
canal bill beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
and to continue until the bill is dis
posed of, the order not, however, to
interfere with revenue or appropriation
bills.
The session of the House was brief.
the major portion of the time being
occupied by Mr.. DeArmond of Missouri
in making a personal explanation re-
garding reports circulated in his dis
trict concerning his course in the mat
ter of the extension of rural free de-
livery.
Mr.. DeArmond sent to the clerks
desk and had read a letter sent by
him to the first assistant postmaster
general asking that official what his
status was to be in regard to appoint
ments in the rural free delivery service
In his district.
Mr.. Payne of New York made the
point of order that the letter did not
constitute a question of personal privi-
lege.
Speaker Henderson held that con-
troversy with a department about pat
ronage did not constitute a matter of
privilege. If ii were, he said, members
might constantly arise on such pretext
to air their grievances.
Upon Mr.. DeArmond's representation
that he would develop a question OF
L.
ed him to proceed. A second letter from
Mr.. DeArmond to the postmaster gen
eral was sent to the desk, but as soon
as It was read, both Mr.. Payne and M.
Grosvenor renewed the point Of order
that no question of personal privilege
had been presented
The Speaker ruled that no question
of personal privilege had been pre-
sented, whereupon Mr.. DeArmond ask
ed and obtained unanimous consent to
make n personal statement He pro-
ceeded to explain that reports were
circulated i'm his district that he had
caused action on free delivery routes
to be held up during his absence In
the Philippines; that those reports were
circulated by those who lied and knew
they lied. He read letters addressed
by him TO the first assistant postmaster
general last April none of which. he
said. had elected a reply
Mr.. DeArmond said that the depart
men had not treated him frankly, fair
ly or in manly way. 1t had not an
swered the pertinent question regarding
the division of carriers between the
parties. He charged that the course
OF the department was in the interest
or certldn Republican bosses in Mis-
souri,. one Of whom hoped 10 get into
the United States Senate.
Mr.. Hepburn asked unanimous con-
sent that the Nicaragua canal bill be
made a special order for Tuesday,
Jan. z
Mr.. Cannon asked whether the pass
age of the bill would embarrass the
executive In securing the right of way
through Nicaragua or Costa Rica
Mr.. Hepburn said he knew Of no ne
gctiation that would be interfered with
by this legislation. On the contrary he
said, legislation must precede acquisi
ton, the bill itself providing means Tor
the requirement Of the right OF way.
Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader.
said this was IN no sense political
question and there was no objection to
CONTINUED on Fifth Page1