The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-31
'GORMAN'S LANCE
PlFRCfS TEDDY
Senator Speaks In Opposition
to One-Man Govern
ment.

WASHINGTON, March 30.-The SEN
ate today began consideration of the
postoff1ce appropriation bill, and it was
the signal for revival of the Demo-
cratic demand for an investigation into
the charges of corruption in the post.
Office department.
The debate was initiated by Mr..
German, who spoke in criticism of the
course Of the Republican party in the
senate in refusing an inquiry, at the
same time charging the postoffice COM
mittee with undue haste in reporting
the bill, as he did the Republican party
with a desire to adjourn congress at
an exceptionally early date In order
to meet the wishes of the president.
Mr.. Clay contended that there should
be congressional inquiry, saying that
the charges against Mr.. Heath, ex-first
assistant postmaster general, were
such as to demand investigation.
Mr.. Penrose and Mr.. Lodge spoke for
the Republican side of the chamber,
defending the committee on postoffices
against the charge Of haste, and also
the administration. Mr.. Lodge con-
tended that congress could not make
an inquiry that would be as thorough
as that already made by the postoffice
department. He ascribed the Demo-
cratic attack to desire to find a poll
tical issue. Mr.. Scott quoted District
Attorney Beach and Assistant Attorney
General Robb as saying that there was
not sufficient evidence upon which to
indict Heath.
Corruption Bubbles Out.
Mr.. German said that there had been
persistent denial of the privilege of in
vestigation of the affairs of the post
office department, and he urged that
it was not yet too late to take steps to
prevent further robbery and thievery
in the department" I'VE have" he
said, reached a time when there is
much preaching of honesty and high
mindedness, but corruption bubbles out.
1t came like a fog, and has not yet
lifted, and we cannot tell whether all
the information is yet OUT
The charges made by the postoffice
department, he believed had been
made for the purpose of diverting at
tentien from the guilty ones who had
filehed money from the treasury and
abused their trusts. Mr.. German called
attention to the habit of critieising
men engaged in legislative work, and
concluded that this criticism grew out
of a well directed effort to build up
one-man, czarlike government.
So far, indeed, had this plan pro-
crossed that legislation has come to
be practically farce, all important
measures being dictated by the execu-
tive.
I'VE are now told" he continued,
that having approved the plan Of the
executive we must adjourn and go
home because Of the fear Of damaging
disclosures. There are matters which
it is almost. criminal not to give atten-
ton to, yet we are not to be allowed
to stay"
Antitrust Legislation.
Discussing the antitrust law and
Mr.. Foraker's amendment, Mr.. Cor
man said the effect of the law was to
require the publication of rates like
those given by Mr.. Hill on his trans
continental oceanic lines with the re-
suit that competing nations get the in
formation. Amendment, therefore, was
necessary, and Mr.. Foraker'S bill had
been intended to meet that demand.
But with this as with other matters
of legislation, the executive had inter-
fered, and notwithstanding the need for
Legislation the mysterious order Is sent
out that congress must adjourn without
taking up the question.
sHow long" he asked, "are we to
submit to such a SYSTEM" The idea
was that all should be left in the
hands Of the executive and nothing
should be done until after November
next. In the meantime the law would /
be suspended and the matter controlled ]
by executive order, with the result |
that trade conditions would be SO dis
turbed that the farmers of the North
west would go in enormous bodies to
the country across the line. 1t was
not enough to say that the
president was honest. Judgment
and good discretion also were neees-
sary in the conduct of public affairs.
Tt was not so much a question Of the
honesty of the chief executive or his
immediate advisers. Mr. German said
he did not hold Mr.. Roosevelt or his
cabinet officers responsible for the
''thievery in the department.