The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-01
TRYING ID MAKE BEST HE
 GAN OUT OF SITUATION
Democrats Are Satisfied That corrup- ton Unearthed In Postoffice Depart ment Will Result DisastrousIy
 for the Republican Party.
BY PATTERSON srEALEY.


 Washington, November 3O-(special) )- There seems to be little doubt here to- night that the resolution introduced in the senate by Senator Carmack and ap- proved by the democratic members of congress, providing for a congressional investigation of the postoffice department scandals. will not be allowed to pass.
 Senator Carmaek said today that the democrats would press the resolution, but he did not believe that 1t would ever get out of committee. The democrats are not very much worried over the suppress sion plans of the republican leaders. They take the view that on the face of even partisan straight out republican re- port such a mass of official rottenness, political thievery and footing of the peo- ples' money is exposed to view, that on this report alone the administration IS bound to suffer before the country. A non-partisan investigation, the democrats contend, would bring out many addition al details of loose methods in the post office and would probably lead to fur ther indictments. but even as matters stand, clear case of official corruption is proved against the subordinates of those in power and the administration must stand the hrrden.
 Presidsht plays t, Balconies.
 The Presidents prois, e to the Bristow report is regarded simply as another fran tic dash to get into the lmelight and break the political force of the exposure. It Is unusual for the President to preface reports of governemnt officials with re- marks of his own. The Presidents ser mon on official immortality contains some inaccuracies notoriously known here. He virtually gives the credit of the investi- gation to Postmaster General Payne When the investigation started Mir Payne was carousing around the West Indies for a pleasure trip on a government revenue cutter.
 MT. Loud. the former chairman of the postoffice committee, might have cen suited MT. Payne about a $5000 appropria- ton for an investigation but the present investigation was started and well under way before the appropriations became available and it was not started or sane tioned by MT. Payne.
 While MT. Payne was cruising fin the West Indies at government expense, the first assistant postmaster general Rob- ert J. Wynne. started the ball rolling and upon MT. Payne's return 1t Is well known that he was dissatisfied with Wynne's course and for awhile it was thought Wynne would be forced out of office. The investigation was taken out of his hands and turned over to MT. Bris tow.
 Deals Gingerly With Heath.
 "The President makes the best he can out of the situation" said Senator Car mack tonight "He deals very gingerly with Perry Heath, who was evidently very deep in the mire. He seems to give Postmaster General Payne the credit for the investigation, when, as a matter of fact, MT. Payne did nothing but poohpooh the charges by declaring they were hot air.
 At the time of his appointment as post master general MT. Payne was known to be political wire butler and spoils- man of the lowest type. The Presidents attempt to shield him, therefore, empha- sizes the importance of an investigation not absolutely controlled by the admin istration. Whether such an investigation will be permitted remains to be seen. The present indications are that it will not be permitted"