The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-19
REPUBLICAN LEADERS
IN HOUSE DEFEATED
Postoffice Investigation Papers
VIII Be Referred to the Com
mittee on Expenditures.
MR.. OVERSTREET LOST
Wanted the Matter Referred to
His Committee-Panama Cues
ton in the Senate.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. B.-As a result or
the absence of many Republican members
to-day the House passed the resolution in
troduced by Representative Wagner, OF
Pennsylvania, chairman of the committee
on expenditures in the Postoffce Depart
ment. calling on the postmaster general for
all the papers relating to the postal scan
dial. The Wagner resolution is similar
to that offered by Representative Over
street, which was passed, and in response
to which the Bristow report was submit
ted to the House and referred to the post
office committee. The action Of Mr.. Wag-
ner in offering his resolution is due to his
desire that his committee, which Is of
minor Importance. shall share with Mr..
Overstreet's committee Jurisdiction over
postal affairs. The temper of the Demo-
Gratis relative to the postal scandal was
port Of the Wagner resolution. Mr.. Over
street opposed the resolution on the ground
that IL sought TO carry out a purpose al
ready accomplished. "The Bristow report
will have careful consideration at the
hands of the postoffice committee" said
Representative Overstreet. There is no dis
position among Republicans to prevent pub
out point. We already ave all the papers
In the scandal that the department can
afford to give out in advance of action by
the courts"
Mr.. Williams. replying to Mr.. Overstreet,
in to-day's debate. said If making trouble
consisted in making a thorough inquiry into
the postoffice situation, the minority pro-
posed to make trouble. He announced that
If given an opportunity. he would offer a
resolution providing that the postmaster
general be requested to send to the House
all the papers and evidence in connection
it, he asked Are you afraid to have the
House and country generally know it?"
Mr. Williams then asked If the majority
were afraid the work Of their own fourth
assistant postmaster general would make
good campaign material. He asked Mr..
Overstreet II 1t was true that Mr.. Bristow
had stated before the postoffice m
that his report had TO be edited.
Mr.. Overstreet replied that Mr.. Bristow
had not made any such statement before
Mr.. Williams asked further if all the in
formation had been sent to the committee.
Mr.. Overstreet replied that the report
OF Mr.. Bristow, made public by the COM
mittee. was just as 1t had been 10 the
general.
Mr.. Williams insisted that Mr.. Wanger,
would permit opportunity to amend, bVt
the latter declined to say at this time. Mr..
Payne. replying to Mr.. Williams, said that
If the minority leader had pursued the
course open to him he could have secured
a vote before this on the resolution he now
sought to offer as a substitute. Mr.. Payne
said the Information that was being held
back would be of benefit to the defendants
in cases now pending in the courts. Re-
plying to the suggestion that the majority
desired Ito cover up Mr.. Payne said 1t was
a Republican Administrative that had
ordered and which had made the investiga-
ton with its resultant action.
Mr.. Wanger then moved the previous
question, Mr.. Williams calling for the ayes
and noes. 1t required the speakers vote
to order the previous question, the aye and
no vote resulting in a tie. On a aye apd
no vote on its passage the resolution was
agreed to, 100 TO 100, the minority voting
practically unanimously with the friends
Of the measure on the Republican side.
The contention was between the commit
tees OF the House, the postoffice commit
and the on expenditures in the
Postoffce Department, of which Mr.. Wang
er Is chairman. The latter tried to secure
recognition Of his committee when the mat
ter first came before the House. Mr..
Wanger was supported by members of his
committee and some other Republicans.
Among the measures OF public interest
introduced to-day were the following:
BY Mr.. Morrell, Of Pennsylvania, grant
ing a rebate of Is per centum of tariff duties
on goods brought to and from the Philip
pine islands in American ships.
BY Mr.. Shafroth, of Colorado, O constitu-
tional amendment providing that the right
to vote shall not be denied on account of
sex.
| By Mr.. Hay, of Virginia. a resolution pro-
vfding that the speaker appoint a commit
tee Of five to make an investigation Of al
legged postal frauds.