Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-12-08
Fifty-E Eighth Congress.
Washington, Dec. s.
SENATE.

bhNAlE
letter was received from General
John G. Black, Commander-in-Chief of
the Grand Army favoring the erection of
a monument in Washington to the
memory of the private soldiers OF the
Union. Petitions asking for the ex-
pulsion of Reed Smoot, Of Utah, were
received from Pennsylvania, New
Hampshire, Iowa, and Florida.
The postoffice investigation matters
was then taken up.
The debate on the postoffice scandals
came to a close by objection raised by
Senator Cullom, who at 2:S0 called up
the Cuban reciprocity bill.
HOUSE.
The postoffice scandals took the centre
of the stage in the House directly alter
the reading of the journal today.
Mr.. Oyerstreet, on behalf of the COM
mittee on postoffices and postroads, re-
ported the resolution calling, on behalf
of the committee, on the Postmaster Gen.
eral for all papers and documents in his
possession bearing on the recent investi-
CATION of his department. Mr.. Over
street explained that it is important for
the committee TO have this information,
because of its relation to the appropria-
tons which the committee is expected
to provide. He disavOwed any intention
TO at present recommend any COMPRESSION
al investigation of the postoffice depart.
ment. The necessity of such a step had
not been discussed.
as it the purpose of the committee to
keep this information private or make ii
public?" Mr.. Wanger, of Pennsylvania,
inquired.
1.-THE purpose of publishing these re-
ports has not yet been considered" re-
piled Mr.. Overstreet. 81 have no OBJ
lection to their publication, except in SC
far as they may embarrass the prose-
cution of those indicted"
"Then the gentleman knows no reason
why the House should not have this in
formation?" Wanger continued, evok-
ing democratic applause.
II have no objection" replied Mr..
Overstreet. "But there is no occasion
to make it all public now, though it may
be proper to do so, in the future, or, as
far as | am concerned, at an early day
"Then will the gentlemrn accept an
amendment bringing this before the
House instead of before the committee?
Mr. Overstreet declined, because the
committees report on the resolution was
unanimous. In this he was sustained
by Mr.. Moon, of Tenn, ranking minority
member of the committee, who was ap'
plauded by republicans.
The debate threatened to become q
general and acrimonious one. Over
street demanded the previous question.
On rising vote, it was sustained, l67
to ia, the only democrats voting in the
affirmative being the members of the post,
Office committee.
Mr.. Wanger of Pennsylvania, the only
republican TO vote with the democrats,
made his position the more emphatic by
calling attention to the fact that he did
not believe the Speaker had counted him.
Floor leader Williams demanded the
yeas and nays, a demand backed by
the democrats. The call had proceeded
alphabetically only as far as the BIS,
when, Mr.. Williams arose to withdraw
his request.
"The Speaker declines to consider the
request" Mr.. Cannon announced, and
the roll call proceeded.
After a political fight consuming an
hour and a half, the House adopted with
out amendment the Overstreet resO-
luton.