Middletown transcript., 1904-03-19
WASHINGTON LETTER

WASHINGTON, D. O., March 18th, 1904
Not within this generation has there
been witnessed such scene of excite
ment and confusion in the House of rep
resentatiyes as that which transpired on
Wednesday and Thursday Of this week,
As with whirlwind party lines went
down before the withering blast Of the
Bristow reports upon the alleged connec.
tion OF CoBgfessmen with the Post Office
frauds. Not an hours delay was toler-
ated to enable the Committee on Post
Offices which gave the report to the pub.
lie, to lay it upon the table. Mr.. Over.
street, chairman of the committee tried
70 extract the sting from the document,
but failed, and the whole question was
thrown open for discussion. Members
proceeded with alacrity to take the bull
by the horns. He had got into political
china shop and must be hustled out.
The public pressed into the galleries until
they were oyerflowing, and great crowds
waited at the doors.
During the debate it was with difficult
iy, and much pounding of the desk that
Speaker Cannon could maintain sufficient
order for the transaction of business.
Congressman who have bein in the House
ten and twenty years, white with anger.
denounced the charges and insinuations
as exaggerated, uncalled for, garbled, and
improperly included as part OF the
document. 1t suppressed the truth and
suggested that which was false. The
best that can be said is that many Con-
greemen on both sides of the House,
since the government was organized, have
been in the habit of making recommen-
dations and suggestions to the Post Office
department, regarding the identical mat
ters charged up against the report. This
is not what they were elected for and the
practice should be reformed altogether.
All departments OF the government
shared in the excitement, and nothing
else was talked OF among politicians. In
brief the Bristow report contained the
names Of about one hundred and fifty
members of Congress out OF total mem
bership of four hundred and eighty.
These have been held up to public scorn
and their integrity impeaehed. The dis
rrnt,l1
the I0th inst, but for an adjournment of
the House for the day occassioned by the
death of member, Hon. Geo. w. Croft,
of South Carolina. The specific charges
were that the members named had gone
to the Department asking for an increase
in the salaries of certain postmasters, re-
questing more clerks for certain post
Offices, and desiring an increased allow
ance for the rent of buildings. It was
Charged that few were owners OF the
buildings which were to be leased by the
government. While there was not q
technical violation of law, it appears that
certain regulations Of the Department
were violated by Beavers, who had these
matters in charge and who is under in
dictment. During the two days discus
sion Congressman tried to purge them
selves Of all wrong doing, but the report
has gone broadcast and many a political
career is nipped. At the conclusion OF
The debate, the House voted to appoint
select committee to investigate the char
ges made against Members OF Congress.
There will be no further general investi-
cation OF the Post Office Department
~
The Indignation of Congress caused
some anxiety at the White House and
he President on the 10th inst I, summon
d Speaker Cannon, Mr. Overstreet, and
Mr.. Bristow for consultation. The Post
master General is suffering from an at
;ack OF gout. The President has called |
70 see him. On the 10th inst. the Presi-
lent issued an executive order to all the |
employees Of the government, enjoining
hem to refrain from expressing opinions
lbout the war which might irritate the
nations of Europe. Representative Bab-
,ock, Of Wise, assures the President, that
his state will give him 100000 majority |
It tile coming election The Republicans |
If Kansas head the list for President
Roosevelt. The President has been en-
ertaining ex-Goy. Crane, Of Mass, and |
I is understood lie can have the naval
portfolio when Secretary Moody resigns. |
-
There has been little legislation in Con-
yress the past week, owing to the excite
nent caused by the Bristow report. The
.rmy bill has passed the Senate. What
8 known as the Alaska bill has also pass
Id. 1t provides for good roads, schools.
tic. Tie Senate has prohibited cattle
yrazing on the Bull Run forest preserve
n Oregon. Considerable opposition is |
in Congress to the erection OF |
statue OF Frederick the Great i'm WASH
ngton. The House Committee on WAYS /
md Means has agreed to the proposition |
@ prohibit absolutely the killing OF seals
N the Pribilof island. The herd has
from four and half millions
o one hundred and twenty thousand
lead.
~
The matter of the confirmation of Gen.
Wood was before the Senate Committee
IN Military Affairs few days ago, when
! brief prepared by the late Senator
Hanna was read. 1t went over the whole |
.round of charges to hurt Gen. Wood
ind declared that it was impossible to
.ccept the mere naval statement of Gen.
Wood, as against the sworn testimony of /
men in the naval and military service.
The brief wishes Gen. Wood to prove
lis statements under oath. Senator For
.ker will take up the case at the earliest
opportunity. Il is conceded that Gen.
Wood will be confirmed.
-
The secrets OF Mormonism and the or
.anization OF that peculiar church, con.
inue to be dragged into the light. There
. much curiosity to know all about
,lnraI marriages, revelations, the legal
tatue OF children, and why the law 10 set
t defiance. The Investigation may drag
IN for long time. Apostle Smith ad-
nits that he keeps up five different do