Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-01
Senator Dietrich Demands an
Investigation.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED
SENATE RETURNS THANKS FOR
THE MARQUETTE STATUE.
Information as to Recess Appoint
ments-Mr. Morgan Criticises the
Minister From Panama.

In the Senate today Mr.. Plat Comm
reported from the committee on the judici-
airy a bill providing for an additional judge
in the district court in the eastern district
of Pennsylvania. The bill was passed.
Seeks vindication.
After the routine business Mr.. Dietrich
(Neb.). rising to a question Of personal
privilege regarding the recent Indictment
against his connection with post office
patronage in Nebraska. read statement
regarding the court proceedings and his
acquittal on the grounds that he was not
senator at the time his alleged malfeasance
was said to have occurred. He said he
felt an explanation was due the Senate to
determine whether he is fit to sit in the
Senate. He offered a resolution author1z-
ing the president pro tenn. to appoint
committee of five to make a full investiga-
ton and report to the Senate concerning
the charges and his acqufttal.
The charges related to the post office at
Hastings. Neb.. the appointment of jacob
Fisher as postmaster and the selectlon OF
building owned by Mr.. Dietrich as post
office. Mr.. Dietrich was charged with ac-
cepting bride. but the charge was dis
posed of by the courts in Nebraska without
a full Investigation having been had.
Mr.. Tillman g. c. suggested that the In
vestleation should be conducted by the
committee on privileges and elections. He
said the charges affected the integrity and
honor of the senator from Nebraska and
his right to sit in the Senate.
Mr.. Burrows, chairman of the committee
mentioned said he had investigated thor
oughly the charges against Mr.. Dietrich
and had looked into precedents In such
cases. and such matters had never before
gone to the committee on privileges and
elections, and he advised the adoption OF
the resolution as submitted.
mr.. % oso1,,<;ox, AI0ptad
The resolution was adopted
Later in the day the chair named COM
mittee to make the inquiry demanded by
Mr. Dietrich. consisting of Senators Hoar,
Plat Comm. Spooner. Cockrell and Pettus.
Another resolution authorizing the nee
essary expenditures for this investigation
will be offered by Mr.. Dietrich for reference
to the committee on control Of contingent
expenses of the Senate.
On motion of Mr.. Quarles the Senate
adopted a joint resolution giving to the
state of Wisconsin the thanks OF Congress
for the statue of Pere Marquette. which
has been contributed to Statuary Hall.
The joint resolution authorizing certain
officers of the Treasury Department to audit
and certify claims of certain counties OF
Arizona was passed.
Mr. Tiliman's resolution instructing the
Secretary of the Treasury to send TO the
Senate information in regard to the ap-
pointment of VIM. D. Crum as collector or
the port of Charleston. s. c., was laid be-
lieved he had all the information needed
which could be given by Secretary Shaw.
and he asked to have printed In the Record
and as document the con Munication from
the Secretary of War In regard to recess
appointments. He said the Information
contained in that communication had a ai-
rect bearing on the Crum case. The order
was made as he requested.
Morgan Criticises Mr.. Bunau-Varil1a.
Mr.. Morgan took the floor in support Of
his resolution calling upon the Attorney
General to report whether he has made, on
behalf of the United States. purchase
from the New Panama Canal Company Of
any property rights that were granted to
the republic of Colombia by N. B. Wyse,
etc. Mr.. Morgan reviewed the expenditures
that were made by the old canal COM
pany and the wrecking of that company.
Unless the facts have been greatly mis-
Stated" he said. "Bunau-Varilla. the pres
ent minister to the United States from
Panama, was ole of the chief movers in
wrecking that company"
The present minister from Panama was
held up by Mr.. Morgan in most unenvi-
able light.
Mr. Morgan declared that there is a spirit
of political domination toward the minor
ity in the Senate which regards as iese
majesty any effort to secure information
as to the Presidents part in affairs in
which the Senate Is interested. but he said
that he could not under the circumstances
bind himself to contract to be filled out
by the Panama Canal Company, as under
the terms OF Article XXI Of the treaty
that company would have the right to do.
Under that article Mr.. Morgan asserted
that there is no limit as to the amount to
be paid to the company
Mr.. Cullom demonstrated with Mr. Nor
gan for going beyond the rules Of the Sem
ate in so freely discussing the terms of
the treaty in the open Senate. and Mr..
Morgan replied that in view of the fact
that he was discussing only the part play
ed in the negotiation Of the treaty by the
canal company, and not the part of either
of the contracting parties. he had not
transgressed the Senate regulations.