The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-07
SPARE KING BEE
OF ROTTON H|vE2
Why Isn't Heath Hit?
Demands Clay.
"A WARM DISCUSSION
Lodge Would Refer Carmack's Resolu-
ton to Investigate the Postoffice
Scandal to the Postoffice De-.
partment. Hot Debate
Follows.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Jan. 6.-Alleged Irregular
ties il the Post office Deartment con
stituted the only theme in the Senate to-
day. The question came up on a motion
first made by Mr.. Lodge and afterwards
by Mr.. Penrose tb refer the Carmack
resolution looking To Senatorial investi-
CATION of the Department to the Com,
mittee on Post Offices and Post Roads.
The Democratic Senator's resisted the
motion ana contended that the country
would not be satisfied with an investiga-
ton OF Department made by the De,
partment itself. The debate continued for
almost two and a half hours and was eX-
tremely spirited from start to finish.
Mr.. Carmack resisted Mr.. Lodges mo-
ton, declaring that if departmental If
Irregularities were to be investigated only
by the departments themselves it would
not be long until they would be "a stencil
in the nostrils of the people," The only
safeguard was in Congressional investiga-
ton.
Mr.. Clay expressed surprise that there
should be opposition to. the resolution and
called attention to. the declarations by
Fourth ASSISTANT Postmaster General
Bristow and CounEAllors Bonaparte and
Conrad that the Nstigation should be
carried further 80 declared that the
Bristcw report demonstrates the absolute
guilt of the late First Assistant General
Mr. Heath He (Bristow) says himself
that this leading high official was guilty
and the proof is overwhelming. If this is
dicted.
81 will DO Mr.. Bristow the credit to
say that his report shows that the frauds
of the Post Office Department originated
in Mr. Heath's office. IF SO he must have
lad cognizance of them. Then why
should the subordinates in that office be
indicted and the principal be allowed to
escaDe?"
Mr.. Clay quoted extracts from the Bris-
tow report to substantiate his argument.
referring especially to the purchase of
cash registers in which connection Mr.
Bristow said that the element of fraud
could not be eliminated.
eff" he said, this report speaks the
truth Perry Heath originated all the
frauds of his office"
If he continued, 'the report is not
correct the fact should be known and Mr.
Heath indicated. If the charges are well
founded Mr.. Heath should be indicted and
punished" AS for himself he did not
want to do any injustice to Mr. Heath or
others. and for this reason he desired the
Investigation.
Reference also was made to the nego-
tiations with d. 9. Richardson concern
ing the Montague affair. Mr.. Clay said
there were many suspicious features point
ing to Mr.. Heath.
Mr. Clay declared his conviction from
a thorough reading of the Bristow report
that Mr.. Bristow had been satisfied beyond
q doubt that the guiltiest party of all was
the retired first assistant postmaster gen.
eral, yet he has never been indicted orI
arrested. I'm the interest of fair play >,
in the interest of justice; In the interest o..
good government and clean admnistra,
ton he said, there should be All IN
Quiry, and I am surprised that my friends
the Senator from Massachusetts (lpr.
LEDGE should object"
Mr.. Clay also declared that the Prcei.
cent had reflected seriously upon MIR.
Heath aud had desired the retirement
OF Mr. Heath from the secretaryship of
the Republican National Committee
Mr. Clay was careful to say that he in
tended no reflection upon Mr.. Wynne, the
present first assistant Postmaster Ger
eral. On the contrary he took pains to
speak in high terms Of Mr.. Wyrnc, saw.
ing that he had given material assist
ance to the department inquiry.
MI Carmack MADE a general plea FOR |
Senatorial inquiry and tho reason given |
by him was that the newspaper report |
to the effect that the Postmaster Ger, |
eral had not been in sympathy with the
Postoffice Department inquiry when ur,
dertaken and that he had pronounced the |
Tuloch charges to be ''hot air.
This statement aroused Mr.. Spooncr. |
who said that the charge did great il |
Justice to the Postmaster General. So |
far as the Bristow inquiry was concerned |
Mr.. PAYNE had been in thorough sympa-
thy with it and had placed the entirt
machinery of the department at he
command of the official who had ia }c
this most remorseless inquiry.
Mr.. Carmack repeated the report that
MIR. PAYNE had referred TO the Tulloc!'
charges as shot air. and MI. Spooner r.
Piled that Mr.. Payne had remained nj
his desk in this city day after day al
last summer while the inquiry was in
progress. Notwithstanding ne was IN very
noo,. health deyoting every energy to See
fContiued on Page FlVe.)