The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-02
SENATOR'S ARE
FULL OF POLITICS
Discussion of Campaign Is.
sues Chews Up Most of
the Time.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April l.
Good Friday was devoted by the SEN
ate to almost continuous discussion of
political questions. The time until 2
o'clock was devoted to consideration
of the Carmack resolution proposing an
inquiry into the legality of the recent
executive old age pension order.
Mr. Mallory was the principal speak
er, and was frequently interrupted by
Republican senators. He contended
that Secretary Hitchcock had tran
scended the limits of executive authority
In issuing the order. He said at the
outset that there need not be any ap-
prehension that the resolution was in
tended to affect the status of the pen
s1oners, for there was no such inten-
ton or desire on the part Of the Dem
ocratic senators. He contended that
the question of liberty to the veterans
is not involved In any respect what
ever, but the only point was whether
the executive branch Of the govern
ment had not transcribed it's authority
and usurped legislative functions in
establishing the rule by the new order
He contended that such usurpation
had occurred and agreed that this
order was not in line with the order
given by Judge Lochren during Mr.
CIeveland's administration He ac-
knoWledged, however, that Mr. Lochren
had transcribed the law in fixing seven
ty-hVe years as evidence of total dis
ability. Mr.. Mallory said that Mr..
Lochren had no authority to fix seven
Iy-hVe years as the age of even pre-
sumptlVe disability, nor was there any
sanction for the recent order reducing
the age to siXty-two years. The law,
ne said, requires due proof Of in
hrmlty, and consequently either pre-
sumption was entirely unjustif1ed.
Fear to Investigate Further.
Discussing the postofice appropria-
tlon Dill, Mr.. Simmons declared that
the investigation into the affairs of
the postoff1ce had been limited to only
one branch of the department. and said
tnat wherever graft was looked for
there graft was found; that wherever
swindling and corruption were looked
ior' tnere SWIMMING and corruption had
been FOUND. If all this had been found
In one branch of the department, there
was no right to assume that similar
conditions would not be found to exist
In other branches. Hence there could
be no justification for denial of an in
curry by congress.
Mr.. Simmons said the reason the in
qulry had not been extended to the
entire postOffice department was found
IN the fear that such a condition of
things would be discovered as would
make necessary an inquiry into the af-
fairs Of all the executive departments
In Washington and that such an in
Vestigation might uncover a condition
that would cause the defeat Of the Re-
publican party in the presidential cleo
tion.'
In response to questions from Mr..
Beverage, Mr. Simmons said that he
did not doubt that if crime was brought
to the immediate attention Of the presi-
dent he would disapprove 1t. He did
not concede, however, that the presi-
dent had done any more than his duty.
and he repeated his charge that an
investigation by congress had been re-
FUSED only because of fear of disagree
able developments.
Notwithstanding there had been thir-
ty-thFee indictments as a result of the
Bristow report, only two Of the fifteen
government employees indicted had
been tried and it was now proclaimed
that both are Democrats.
Mr.. Beveridge asked If Mr.. Simmons
would not concede that the source Of
the fountain head Of the corruption
discovered had been found in the last
Democratic administration"
$50 far as Machen is concerned" the
North Carolina senator replied, "Bris-
tow says that is true"
r%T. Beverage wanted Mr. Simmons
TO admit thar all the corruption dis
SoVered had centered in MlcheG, but