New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-09
DISCUSS POSTAL FRAUDS.
LIVELY SENATE DEBATE.
Wr Gorman's AttemPt to Make Po-
iticaI Capital Net be- Nr. Lodge.
IFRov rHE TRInUyE BUREAU J


Washington, Dec S.-The feature CT tO-day's
session OF the Senate was the attempt OF the
Democratic leader. Mr.. German 70 make po-
litical capital out Of the postoHce Investigation.
which occurred in connection with the considera-
tion Of the Penrose resolution calling on the
Postmaster General for the papers relating to
that inquiry Apparently forgetting that the
archconspiratOr, "Machen. the prince OF graft
ers.' Democrat the Senator from Mary
land attempted TO make it appear that the pres
ent administration responsible for the
frauds which il has unearthed. and that officials
Of higher rank than those who have been con-
victed dismissed were the actual cuIpri:s-
Mr.. Gornan's expressed desire was that the res
olution should be 50 amended to make an
investigation OF the PostofHce Department OBJ
Igatory the Committee on PostOfHces and
Post Roads. instead OF leaving the necessity Of
such n investigation 70 be determined after the
Papers in the case had been called for and ex-
amIned
Senator Lodge replied to Mr. German in an
able speech, in which ne emphasized the fact
that TWO committees Of Congress lad investi-
gated the very bureau in which fraud had been
found 70 exist without discovering the slightest
trace Of irreguIarity. even the acute insight OF
minority members" having proved insufficient 10
penetrate the frauds which had been relentless
" uncovered by the Fourth Assistant Posrmas-
tion went over without action. and Senator Tel
Ter delivered an extended speech against the
Cuban bill.
Mr.. Lodge moved the reference OF the Penrose
resolution to the Committee on Postofnces-
SENATOR GORMAN's ATTACK
Mr.. German objected. saying he could not see
why Mr. Lodge any one else should desire
to stife the Investigation" The President. he
said. had called attention to the Irregularities
in the department. saying that the frauds per
petrated there in the last ten years had been
greater than in the last TWO centuries. This
declaration he characterized as sweeping and
horrible and he declared that no Senator could
afford 10 stand in the way OF an investigation
in which the minority party could take part
The money taken, he said. had been fiched from
the pockets Of the common people The corrup-
tion had been so great that it had bubbled up
10 the surface. and this had occurred because
the thieves had quarreIled among themselves
over the plUnder."
Mr.. German declared that the investigation
had been made by men charged with taking
part in the crimes. In view Of this fact he
could not believe that Mr. Lodge or any other
Senator would desire to stihe an inquiry az
which few Of the members Of the minority
might be present. We want TO ascertain he
said. whether the investigation which has been
made has been entirely the surface, and
whether it IS true that those who have made
the Investigation are not guilty as those who
have been investigated
II assert here as a Senator" he went on.
that there is evidence in writing that there
were frauds perpetrated by high officer who
is allowed to escape entirely We want facts.
The country is not satisfied with the thorough
ness OF the inquiry and wants the books laid
open for inspection In order that the entire
truth may be known We want TO aid the
IL
no doubt that he desires 70 do. and for these
reasons we nope that the inquiry will be under
taken"
SENATOR LODGES SHARP REPLY
Mr. Lodge said that If he had needed any
further assurance of the correctness OF his posi-
tion that the resolution should be referred. the
I speech made by Mr.. German had supplied T.
He charged Mr. German with Incorrectly quot
ing the President. and said that the portion OF
the Presidents Message 10 which reference lad
been made applied TO the frauds II st. Louis.
and not 10 the postal frauds.
The Senator from Maryland forgets.~ he said.
/ that Congress has twice Investigated that pOr-
ton OF the postal service found be most at
fault Both the Senate and House have made
\ inquiries under the eyes OF friends Of the Sena-
/ tor. and both gave the department clean bill OF
/ hea n As matter OF fact. there is nothing
more clumsy than Congressional inquiry a-d
/ the results OF the departments inquiry. made
/ under the direction OF the President. illustrate
/ the great advantage the department with its
/ numerous detectives. enjoys over any Congress
/ sionaI committee in this respect
The department inquiry. he said had COW
/ cred the entire country The result had been
/ that a great mass OF testimony had been gath
/ cred which he thought the Senate should have
/ access 10 through a committee
/ 'I want the testimony brought here" he said.
/ and examined. and I don't want the committee
/ committed the inquiry until we know what
/ the facts are Then. and not until then. could
/ the Senate know what IL wants TO do
rhe talk of sitting inquiry had no meaning TO
/ him because the investigation had been made.
| and IL had been made a thousand times more ef-
/ fective than the Senate could make IT, He did
/ nOf know whether Mr.. German had meant %
refer in MS accusations to the Postmaster Cen
eraI ard the Fourth Assistant but il he did
mean To do so. Mr.. Lodge said he wished say
that both those officials had pressed the inquiry
I with zeal and with all the machinery in their
power
TLLMAN TAKES HAND
Senators Nelson. TnIran Hoar and Bailey
| took part In the discussion Mr. Nelson said
that the great danger OF a Senate Investigation
/ would be found in the fact thar the publicity
which would be given TO the findings would aid
the accused officials in their defence He re-
ferred 10 the course OF the postal prosecutions IN
/ Cuba. which brought out a discussion as 70 the
resDonstbilitv Tor the liberation OF the officials
/ who were found guilty OF frauds IN the Island
While this diversion was IN progress Mr. TIL
an took occasion TO remark that, N view OF
,ba aogressious from the other end OF the Capt.