The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-19
THE CASE OF MIR. briggs.

The postofice investigation is bringing un-
der suspicion some persons not now in Of
fee. This includes some former Postoffice
One of the latter is former Congressman
Z. II. briggs. of New York. Mr.. briggs
represented the old Third district In Brook
lyn for two terms, having been elected as a
reform Democrat. 1t is charged that while
a member of Congress and serving as a
member of the on postoffices he
received a salary of s12.5OO a year from an
automatic cash register company for his
services in having its machines adopted by
the Postofice Department. 1t Is said that
as a result of his arguments m 'infu-
ence" in favor of the machines a very large
number of them were ordered at a figure
greatly in excess of the market price. If
this is true. the inference is that the excess
above the market price was paid to some
person in the department. as briggs prob
ably had a sufficient rake off, in his sal
airy from the company. In interviews pub
lished since the matter has come out briggs
does not deny that ne received pay from
the company for representing its interests,
but he insists that he has done nothing
wrong and says he courts the fullest in
vestigation"-a stereoptyped phrase that is
somewhat overworked. AS already stated,
member of Congress and of the committed
on postoffices and post roads. was paid for
his services in the matter referred to. 1t
is not quite clear whether he was paid an
annual salary or a lump sum as a fee.
Either would have been equally indecent,
covering the rights of a member of Con-
gress in connection with government con-
tracts. Section s73s of the Revised Stat
utes says:
No member of Congress shall directly
or indirectly undertake., execute, hold or
enjoy any contract or agreement made
or entered into on behalf of the United
states by any officer or person authorized
to make contracts on behalf of the United
States. Every person who violates this
section shall be deemed guilty OF a mis-
demeanor and shall be fined 5000.
Section 3740 modifies this section to the
following extent: Nothing contained in
the preceding section shall extend or be
construed to extend to any contract or
agreement made or entered into or accept
ed by any Incorporated company where
such contract or agreement is made for
the benefit of such corporation or COM
pany: nor to the purchase or sale of bills
OF exchange or other property by any
member of or delegate to Congress where
the same was ready for delivery and pay
ment therefor is mad at the time of
making or entering into the contract or
agreement"
Section 1871 Is more explicit. 1t says:
Every member of Congress who directly
or Indirectly takes, receives or agrees to
receive any money. property or other val
liable consideration whatever from any
person for procuring or aiding 10 procure
any contract, Office or place from the gov
nme or any department thereof, or
from any officer of the United States for
any persons whatever, or for giving any
such contract, office or place to any per-
son whomsoever, shall be deemed guilty
of a and shall be imprisoned
not more than two years and fined not
more than $4,000. and any such contract
or agreement may at the option of the
President be declared absolutely null and
void"
| If Mr.. briggs received a fee in any form
| for services Of the kind indicated while he
was a member of Congress he violated the
law. 1t might be difficult to make a case
against him now that he is a private cit
izen, but the indecency and disgraceful-
ness of the act are apparent. If he divid-
| ed the excess of payments on the articles
named with any official of the Postofice
Department such official is, Of course, liza
BILE to prosecution and should be brought
under the rule Let no guilty man es-
| canal