Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-04-15
C0NGHESSMEN BLAMELESS
REPORT OF MCCALL COMMITTEE
ON POSTAL SCANDAL.

Bourke Cochran Speaks in House OF
Pension order-Another Moro Out
break--Mormon President Forbid'
Polygamy-Murder Cases.
The report OF the special committee
of the house at Washington appointed
TO investigate the report from the
postofice department, printed under
the caption, Charges concerning
members of congress-" was made to
the house Tuesday, April ~, by
Chairman Mccall. The report was
signed by all seven members Of the
committee. The minority members.
however, append supplemental views.
The report says in part: After a
careful consideration of all the cases
specified In the report, SO far as they
relate To the present members of the
house, the committee has unanimous
ly reached the conclusion that moth
ing has appeared in connection with
the said cases that would justify find
ing that any member Of the house has
profited financially in the slightest
degree, or is guilty of improper con-
duct in connection Herewith or that
any member has done in connection
with any of the said cases anything
that did not appear within the line of
official duty"
Bourke Cochran of New York spoke
in the house Saturday, April 3, on his
resolution directing an inquiry by the
judiciary committee as to whether
there was authority in law for the re-
cent executive order relating to PEN
sions on age disability.
Mr.. Cockran's remarks were the
first he has delivered since his en-
Try into the 5Sth congress, and he
commanded the close attention OF
members on both sides. He said his
resolution was offered solely to vim
iicate the dignity of the house. He
lid not, he said, question the pro-
,riety of paying liberal pensions to |
ederal soldiers. but he declared that |
he basis Of these payments should |
re the laws of congress. ''and not any
elf constituted authority"
by one stroke of the Pea" he de-
Jared, tbs president had appfo.
rated s3O,OOO.00O." He vigorously
sserted that I'VE are here at the
arting of the ways" and inquired
II this order be tolerated without
rotest by the house, what power is
here that the executive order can not
surp?"
After attacking what he declared 10
E the presidents usurpation Of power
Interpretation when he said that I
he order should not be retroactive, !
II. Cochran appealed to members on I
9th sides of the house ito consider Il
lie enormity of this proposal" which, ]
? said, affected the liberty and safety y
the government. In his opinion the !
eady decline in the dignity OF the |
)use had attracted much attention !
sarcastic vein he declared that the
'esident allowed congress the privi
ge of declaring war, and he was |
IDLY applauded by the democrats h
hen he added. But the president r
axes war when he chooses to-" 4
The Culberson amendment TO the n
stofice appropriation BILL providing n
r commission to investigate the h
stoffice department was before the |,
nate all Of Monday, April II. Mr.. L
,rman made an earnest plea for an n
saying the postoffice de-
rtment had cast reflections upon
embers of congress and that n thor u
9Th examination should be had n
The house committee on appropria- a
ms Wednesday. April IS, completed n
g general deficiency appropriation 6
|. carrying a total of $10,3SS.744. I,
e largest item in the bill is $4,000 7,
for pensions. OF this sum ST. :,
1000 Is an estimated deficiency ~
ich will be caused by the execution n,
the recent service pension order h,