The Savannah morning news., 1903-10-15

sentative Hemenway of Indiana, who
is in the confidence Of Speaker-to-be
Cannon. and who will be chairman Of
the Committee on Appropriations. Mr..
Hemenway takes the stand that it will
be the quickest way to silence the OPP
position party and favors prompt ac-
ton by the Republicans.
II am not Of the opinion that any
thing new of Importance viii be de-
veloped by such an investigation,
said Mr.. Hemenway yesterday at the
Riggs. 1T seems that the postoff1ce
officials have been going into the in
vestigation very thoroughly and I'M
covering everything irregular that
there is to uncover. From all can
learn they have worked very dilligent-
ly, and as fast as employees are found
defrauding the government or not
earning their salaries these men are
being dismissed.
But after all there is no reason
why Congress should not also Inquire
into the administration of the depart
ment, if it wants to do so. Demo-
Gratis are already clamoring for an
investigation by Congress. The best
way and the most satisfactory will
be to let the investigation by Con-
gress proceed. AS / have said, l do
not believe 1t will be at all fruitful
in results, but it will prevent constant
REQUESTS from the Democratic side,
which otherwise we should not hear
the last of till the very end of the
session.
my idea would be-" added Mr..
Henenway, ito have d resolution for
an investigation introduced at the
proper time by a Republican member
and adopted by the House. The in
quiry can be rapidly conducted, after
the careful work already accomplish
ed by the department.
But will not that be a precedent
for Investigations in other depart
ments?" was asked.
Il think not" replied Mr.. Hemen-
way. Congress cannot go into a
general investigation of the govern
ment. We should confine ourselves to
the Postoffice Department, where
charges have been made and already
in part, at least substantfated."
This is the attitude assumed by
several Republicans of influence in the
House. 1t is not, however, the unan-
imous sentiment. Representative Will
liam Alden Smith, of Michigan, one
of the best-known members from the
Middle West, who was with Mr.. Hem
enway in the lobby of the Riggs at
the time, stated his opposition TO any
Congressional investigation.
L ne .WTOIlS -uOlIlS III the IOSlOllCe
Department has, in numerous cases,
Seen placed before the courts for
trial." said Mr.. Smith. 81 am oppos-
ed to Congress making any effort to
Investigate the Postoffice Department
until those cases have been tried and
the verdicts returned The depart
ment has been earnestly investigat-
ing itself, and let us wait until we
can ascertain what the effect of all
that will be-.
In the Postoffice Department there
is every disposition to welcome a con-
gressional inquiry, provided Congress
wants it. The officials have been over
taxed with the work Of the investi-
cation, and personally do not want
any further burdens in that direction.
Nevertheless. there is an entire will
Hnsness 6hat Congress should look
into the administration of the depart
ment and make any further sugges-
tions as to how the methods of run
ming the department may be improved
There is an evident intention to re-
strict any congressional inquiry that
may be set on foot The Republicans
will probably attempt to keep it with
in narrow bounds. Some think that
it may result about like the Senate
committees investigation of some
months ago on the postoff1ce scandals
in Cuba. The committee came to-
gether, read the vigorous report of
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow, and concluded that there was
nothing further to investigate.
OF course, in the present instance
the Democrats will declare that only
the first assistant postmaster generals
branch of the department has been in
Vestigated, and that there are three
other branches. There is still dan
gerous ground for Republicans to
tread on, but the opinion prevails that
the worst Irregularities in the depart
ment have been eradicated
In the opinion of some good judges
of such matter. the Republican lead
ers. when they have once embarked
upon investigating, will find it ex-
ceedingly difficult to restrict the work
There is hardly a department of the
government in which serious frauds
and scandals have not been alleged dur
ing the last four or five years. The
Democrats will undoubtedly find a way
to impress upon the country by con-
slant agitation that it would be quite
as well to inquire into such reports
as into charges against the Postoffice
Department. The ugly phase of such
charges is that a great many people
in different sections of the country
viii be disposed to believe them true
unless very specifce proof is offered
to the contrary.