The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-12

900 and yet the government had been de-
f1auded out OF a total of $3,200,O00. 1t
was this amount in which there was in
terest. There was high authority for say
Ing the Postoffice Department ought to
be investigated further. The President
and his two attorneys had said this. Yet,
the Republicans OF the Senate had beg
ged the question and declared there was
nothing further to be investigated
Referring to the charge made a few
days ago that the Democrats did not
know who their candidate for the Presi-
dency would be, Mr.. Teller said:
"No, Mr.. President, we do not know
whether it will be Cleveland, Parker,
Hearst or Bryan. The Democratic party
never know who it is going to nominate
until after its convention Meets
Mr.. Simmons answered the recent
speech of Mr.. Spooner, who defended Post
master General Payne from what he treat
ed as an attack by Mr.. Simmons in pre-
vious remarks. Mr.. Simmons declared to-
day that his remarks in relation to the
reluctance OF the Postoffce Department
to undertake an investigation referred to
hesitancy on the part of the former Post
master General Smith and not to the
present Postmaster General, Mr.. Payne.
He reiterated, however, his belief that the
investigation had been delayed and also
that the present Postmaster General had
not treated fairly the offer of S. w.
Tulloch to give testimony in regard to
conditions III the department. This act
of Encouragement, said Mr.. Simmons,
was calculated to deter the work of
urearthing the scandals in the depart
ment. Returning to his speech of
fortnight ago, when he referred to the
selection by tho Democrats of a candidate
for the Presidency, Mr.. Simmons said he
had been charged with advocating the Sc
lection OF a neutral man. He enumerated
the qualifications he had demanded, such
as a calm, well-poised disposition and
mind. judicial and conservative tempera-
rient and asked whether that would be
regarded as a neutral man. Turning to
the Republican side. he said he supposed
the candidate wanted was one who would
overturn affairs of the twentieth century,
make new laws when the present ones
do not suit. and treaties with foreign
countries without the advice or consent
| of the Senate. He said the country has
witnessed the spectacle of a President
had upon the one hand as trust buster
and on the other as safe man :or
spectacle of the only original trust bust
or, the Attorney General who has acted
as lord high executoner and a score or
more assistants" said Mr.. Simmons. and
they have managed to find two trusts to
prosecute
Continuing, Mr.. Simmons asked:
What do the people want? man
who will execute their will or a, man
bn
Speaking of the demands for Congress
sional investigation Of executive depart
ments, Mr.. Simmons said if it were found
upon a thorough examination that the
departments were free from frauds it
would result in benefit to the Republican
party and perhaps injury to the Demo
cratic party.
Mr.. Simmons reviewed the investigation
IN the Postoffice Department particularly
in reference to the career of Mr.. Machen.
He spoke of Mr.. Machens alleged specuia-
| tons and referred to the Bristow report
to show that his interview was not bold
until Mr.. Heath became first assistant
postmaster general Mr.. Simmons said
that only three of the persons found to
have been mixed UP in the postoffice
| frauds were appointed under Democratic
administrations.
Mr. German made a plea for favorable
action on the Culberson amendment, say
| ing that the conditions in the department
were such as to make an inquiry imperia
| tive. He said that the report of the
fourth assistant postmaster general prac-
tically charged members Of Congress with
being confederates of Machen and Beav-
ers, and that on this account Congress
could not in justice to itself. refuse to
make an inquiry. He quoted the Presi-
dents memorandum in the Machen case
saying that it also raised a question as
to the conduct Of members and added
that under these charges Congress could
not afford to let the matter rest. The
departments reflection upon Congress, he
denounced as an Outrage and said that
instead of their being a question Of poll
tics involved, tie honor and integrity Of
Congress was in question.
I Mr.. Aldrich replied:
Give us an explicit charge and we viii
take it up.''
Mr.. Culberson said that if explicit
charges were necessary they could he
found in the case OF the Montague ind-
Gator, and in that of John w. Petit" "
In the former case, there is said, accord
| ing to- the Bristow report, mystery as
to whether former First Assistant Post
master General Heath had received two.
thousand of the shares of the stock of that
concern. In the case OF Petit. that in
dividual, it has been developed, had been
on the pay rool of the Baltimore post
office for four years without doing any
work. and that it had never been shown
whether he had been appointed to this
wok by MIR. Heath or by Beavers.
| Mr.. Lodge said that both Heath and
Beavers are out of the department, and
that Beavers is under course OF prosecu-
ton; hence he did not consider the
charge OF characte: to effect the pres
ent conduct OF the department. He con-
sidered the character of tie c. ,igcs AS
conclusive in showing the demand for
an investigation 20 be a sham. After
some further discussion the Senate ad-
iourned.
The PaImettOS Goose Euged.