Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-09
58TH CONGRESS.
Senators German and Lodge
Discuss Postal Matters.
A Sharp Debate Over the Investigation
Of Alleged Frauds.
House Also Asks fer Information on
Same Subject.

Washington, Dec. S.-The recent in
Nestiga zion into frauds in the post OFF,
&c department was the basis OF a sharp
debate in the Senate, today, by MIR.
German and Mr.. Lodge. The discus
sioa arose over q motion by Mr.. Lodge
| to refer to the committee on post Offices
the resolution introduced by Mr. Pen
| rose looking to Senate investigation
into the conditions in the departing Mt.
Mr. German iiltimated that the investi-
cation by the department had been
partisan in character and said that
| coanter-charges had been made against
the men who had made it. Mr.. Lodge
defended the departments work and
dee Jared it was far mere thorough than
q Congressional inquiry would be- The
resolution Wcnt ever without action.
Mr.. Teller made 4 speech in opposi-
ton to the Cuban bill. He severely
criticized Gen. Wood and declared the
bill was in the interest of the trust.
MI Clapp spoke briefly, holding that
the Senate had absolute power to make
treaties.
The Senate, in executive session, re-
ferred the treaty between the Unitd
states and Panama, Off the cOnStruc-
ton OF canal across the isthmus to
he committee on foreign relations
There was 10 discussion of the treaty
in any form. The Senate without COM
mGnt also referred the nomination of
Gen. Leonard Wood, to be major gen
clal, to the committee on military
affairs
The Senate began its session by
adopting Il resolution presented by
Hoar calling upon the secretary OF
stale for the correspondence relative
to claims against Colombia on account
Of damages sustained at Colon, and
calling fO- Information as to the re-
sponsihilty of that government. Hoar
explained that the correspondence
called for relates entirely to private
bills and has no reference to public
questions.
the Senate then ut the request of Pom
rose took UP TIE resolution calling on the
postmaster general to scnd to the com
rnittoe On post Offices the reports hearing
on. the recent investigation in the post
chic" department. to which Colman la,i
offered amendments directing the commit
tee to make an investigation
German objected 10 Lodges motion 10
refer the resolution 20 the corlmttoe on
post ocfiice;s. saying that he could not see
why MIR. odSe OF any ono else should
ccsire to stihc the INVESTIGATION"
The money taken, h said, had hncn
-hlched from The pockets OF the committee
Of the people. The corruption had been SO
great that the President had declared the
FRAUDS III the department. in thc past lG
Years were greater than in the past Two
centuries. hi: declaration he ch"Tac,e"
ICED rs Sweeping and horrible"
Gorman declared the investigation had
been made EE men cha rgrl with pdrtici-
patton i'll til" crimes.
II assert here az a snnator.' he Went on,
that there is evidence III writing that
there Wcr" ilaUds parnc,lated by a high
officer who is allowed 10 escape entirely.
The ccEntry is not satisfied with the tho
oUehness of the inquiry ard wants the
books laid open for INSPECTION il order
want to aid the President III turing the
l..sCals out, as We have no douD; he de-
Sizes to do and for these reasons We hope
that the inquiry Will be undertaken.
Lodge charged German with Incorrectly |
ono,inc the President and said that The
portion OF the Presidents message to
which reference mad been made applied
to the frauds i'll 81. Louis and not to the
postal frauds.
''1Ea senator from Maryland forgcts."
he said. chat the Senate ana House have
twice investigated that portion of tho pos |
tai service most at FAULT ana both times |
gave the department clean bill Of
health"
The talk OF sitting inquiry had no mean
in" to him, because tho investigation had |
been made and it had been made a thouS- |
and times more effective than tho Senate !
could make it. If German meant 20 refer |
in his accusations to the postmaster gem |
eTal and the fourth assistant Lodge wish |
cd 10 say that both those officials had |
pressed the inquiry with zeal and with all |
the machinery in their power. The discus
sion was participated in by Nelson, Till |
man, Hoar and Bailey.
The investigation resolution then was |
laid aside ard the Cuban reciprocity bin |
taken up.
Teller. opening the debate in opposition
to the bill, took U;p the question Of con-
of the method of lcgiSia ion
undertaken by the measure. He said that |
the sugar trust would secure the benefit
OF the hill. although it is said it was in
tended to aid Cuba. He also said it would
not reduce the price of sugar. The Amer
cln people. he said. were made to believe
that unless relief Of this kind was granted
there would he riots and st:.rva ton in
Cuba. This sentiment he declared to be |
in Cupa and charged that it
was inauguratcd by Gen. Wood lie did
not pretend to say that Gen. Wood was
responsible for all subsequent misraprc-
but he did contend that these
We're bought and paid
FOR partly by the Cuban government.
Clapp also spoke briefly and a O'Clock
he Senate went into executive session and
axe minutes later adjourned
|