Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-03-31
The Old Trouble Over the Bris-
tow Report Breaks Out In
the Upper House
LODGES DEFENSE OF BRlsToW
German, For the Democrats, Attempts
to Make Political Capital by Critieiz.
ing the Course of the Republicans In
Refusing an Inquiry While Denounc-
ing Bristow's Report.

Washington, March S1.-The senate
began consideration of the postoffiee
appropriation bill, which was a sigma
for a revival of the democratic de-
mand for an Investigation into The
charges of corruption in the postoffice
department.
The debate was begun by Mr.. Cor
man, who spoke for almost two hours
TN condemnation of the course OF the
republican party in the senate In re-
fuslng an inquiry while charging the
postoffice committee with undue haste
in reporting the bill Mr. Clay con-
tended that there should be congress
sonal inquiry, saying that the charges
against Perry Heath were such. as to
demand investigation.
Mr.. Penrose and Mr. Lodge spoke for
the republican side, defending the COM
mittee on the postoffices and the PEST
dent. Mr.. Lodge commended that con-
greSs could not make an inquiry that
would be as thorough as that already
made by the postoffice department.
He charged the democratic attack to a
desire to find political issue.
Mr.. Lodge declared that the demo-
crates had condemned the early meet
ing of congress and now We're opposing
the prospect OF early adjournment.
1t could not possibly be that their
vain efforts to secure campaign is
sue, after their failure to secure it in
the efforts already made in Panama.
the navy and the pensions, caused this
new departure. Nor was it reasonable
to believe that such an opportunity
was wanted to review the antitrust
law i'm view OF Mr.. Cleveland's expa-
nation that he had failed for want Of
time to put the antitrust law in force
while he was in office.
So far as the poStoffice investigation
was concerned, Mr. Lodge said no gen.
eral inquiry was necessary after the
excellent work done. by Mr.. Bristow
and his corps of trained detectives.
There had been no specific Charges.
and IL there had been, they would have
been investigated. He also referred to
the charges against members that a
great dead had been said tha. was
needless and many false impressions
We're created The posstoftice depart
ment investigation had been thorough
ly made and just punishment fneted
out. The republican party had nothing
to fear from the most complete and
and searching inquiry.
Mr.. Scott read letter from Assist
ant Attorney General Robb of the post
office department saying that the evil
dence did not warrant the indictment
Of Mr.. Heath.
Mr.. Clay replied by saying that Mr..
Scott was the only champion of Mr..
Heath that had appeared on the floor
of the senate and Mr.. Scott replied that
it was Mr.. Robb and not himself who
was the champion. Then" responded
Mr.. Clay in stentorian tones, he has
not a single champion here to defend
him.
Mr.. Scott: According to Mr.. Robb's
statement he does not need any de-
Tense"
Mr.. Clay replied by giving the de-
tails of the employment of Mr.. Louis
as superintendent Of supplies for the
postoffice department. which. he said.
had been accomplished by Mr.. Heath
oy first appointing Louis as cashier in
he Kansas City postoffice ana then
having him proceed with the work here
without ever having seen the Kansas
Jity postoffice. Heath he said, had
oeen anxious to secure a man In SYM
,athy with himself in the purchase of
supplies and the appointment to Kan
;as City had been made because of
.1ouis' inability to pass the civil serv-
,areer in the department, he said.
hey had increased prices paid for
supplies from 20 to rs per cent.
All this" said Mr. Clay, rs inter
sting You may pick on Bristow if
rou wish, but he has done work that
appreciate"
He urged an investigation as the
,nIy method of determining the truth
# the charges made. The president
dr. Brlstow and Messrs. Conrad and
3onaparte all said this should be in
'estigated, and he thought they should
,e taken at their word. II NJ. Bris-
owls charges against Heath were not
rue they constitute malicious AMI
ross SANDER and Mr.. Heath should
ave the right to defend himself
gainst them. In conclusion Mr. Clay
aid that any party in power was like
Y to fall into errors Of administration |
nd that any party should seek ex-
mination into its affairs
Mr. Scott said it never had been his |
urpose to believe a man guilty until |
e had proven to be. although Mr.
Ieath may be all that the senator from |
eorgia has charged him with. He |
cad from a statement by Mr. Beach,
ttorney for the District of Columbia,
, the effect that all Of the evidence
as before the grand jury. and that IL
as regarded as insufficient to war
mt the indictment of Mr. Heath.