The farmer and mechanic., 1903-12-15
REPUBLICANS To
ST|FLE SCANDAL
Senator Simmons on
Postoffice Inquiry.
CHOkED OFF FOR TIME
They Can Postpone the Inquiry, but
They Can't Prevent it. He SAYS.
National Republican Com
mifteemen are Gath
ering.

Washington, d. c., Dec. 9.-Though the
National Republican Committee does not
meet till Friday many Of its members
have already arrived, and from the senti-
ment Of those and Of the party leaders
IN Congress its action can be pretty well
forecasted. Every indication points to
the selection Of Chicago as the convention
city, if it guarantees the usual cash CON
tribution for expenses. Certainly, now a
majority of the committee favor that
city, though St Louis viii have dele
CATION here urging the claims of that
city
The proposition to cut down the Souths
representation in the convention will not
be adopted. The President IS against it
and Senator Hanna was never much Of an
advocate Of it. Besides, the party lead
ers, while generally acknowledging the
force of all the arguments urged for it,
say that 1t will stir up the negro question,
and that to cut down the representation
OF the South would certainly have that
effect, as the negro would consider it
blow at him, and at a time whenfhe was
laboring under the ban of Southern dis
Reimbursement. Again, some of these
leaders have in the past found the swol-
len colored representation from the South
quite handy in emergencies, and they are
not now disposed to kick down the ladder
that helped them up, especially since
they may need it again.
This is the view the Northern commit
tcemen have Of the proposition.
The position of the Southern members
is represented by Committeeman Dmmck,
Of Alabama who is here with several Of
his State party leaders TO protest to the
President and the committee against re
duction of their representation. He says
| It VIII cut down the representation of
every Southern State and increase that
Of most of the Northern States.
Senator Simmons had prepared himself
| the Senate today in favor of investiga-
ton of the Postoffice Department, but
was denied that privilege on the ruling
that the Cuban bill had the right of way
and as long as any one desired to debate
| that only routine business could be con
| sidered.
1T is the very evident purpose of the
Republicans" said Mr.. Simmons, later to
Bile, a discussion Of the scandal question.
They can postpone, but they can't pre-
vent it, We are determined to urge our
proposition for an investigation, and,
though they can and proba bly, Will defeat
| it, we propose that the country shall know
our position on it and be apprised Of the
| necessity for the investigation that we
seek"
/ Under the ruling made today the Pen
rose resolution calling for the investiga-
| tion can only be taken UP when 1t does
not interfere with that bill or after that
bill has been disposed Of.
| Congressman Gudger has been sum
moned to appear tomorrow before Election
| Committee No. for preliminary hear
| ing regarding his contest, but as he IS in
! Raleigh to argue the Madison county
bond case before the Supreme Court, he
!! will be summoned at later date on his
| return.
Senator Oyerman today introduced a
bill appropriating hundred thousand
dollars for a public building at Saiis-
bury. The same bill has been introduced
in the House by Congressman kluttz.
This is Mr.. Overmans fourth bill since he
became member of the Senate. The
others were bills Of a private nature,
such as bills for claims and pensions.
A number Of new rural free delivery
routes are being surveyed in Congress
man Thomas district. Inspector Brown
is now at work on proposed routes in
Sampson county, and later will go to
WAYNE. and perhaps other counties for
like purpose.
The contract has been signed for light
vessel to be stationed off the outer Dla-
lnond Shoals, at Cape Lookout The con
struction of this vessel was ordered by
the last Congress and ninety thousand
dollars appropriated therefor 1t IS to be
completed in about year.
Mr.. A. p Massey, formerly OF Raleigh
but now a successful lawyer in New York
is here to argue his first case III the
United States Supreme Court. He was
introduced to the court this morning by
Senator Cverman.
At 4 meeting of the American Forestry
Association held here today, and presided
over by Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson
the proposed Appalachian Forest Reserve
was discussed and resolutions adopted
earnestly recommending passage OF tnt
bill now pending in Congress and which at