New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-29
| BUSINESS CONGRESS.
Continued from FIRST page.


Massachusetts. The Republican leaders fol-
lowed the customary policy OF reserving their
heavy artillery fire to the last. The President
cheerfully forwarded to the Senate every docu-
ment asked for, thus laying open to the most
careful scrutiny every act in connection with
the recognition of the Republic of Panama and
the negotiation of the canal treaty. No i'm
propriety revealed, no ground for criticism
could be discovered, and gradually the Demo
Gratis in the upper chamber, who were daily
hearing Of the dispeasure of their States at their
unreasoning opposition. lost confidence in the
leadership Of Mr.. German. At last on January
81 Senator Simmons, Of North Carolina, felt
compelled to speak in favor of the Panama
treaty. He followed by Senator Clarke. OF
Arkansas, and by other Democrats, and then the
Republicans, perceiving their advantage. fol-
lowed it up Senator Lodge made a brilliant
speech in support of the treaty and the policy
of the President, and Senator Spooner spoke for
two days, delivering argument which over
came every Democratic objection and disposed
Of every bubble.
To the dismay of the Democrats Senator Hoar
made an eloquent defence of the policy OF the
administration. He declared that his purpose
from the first had merely been to elicit informa-
ton which he existed and which he
had been confident would justify every act OF
the President. On February 20 Senator Spooner
practically closed the argument. Senator Cor
man found himself deserted by his party coll
leagues and on February % the Senate, by
vote which. including pairs. ~ to IL, rati
fed the Panama treaty. Sixteen of the thirty
three Democratic Senators repudiated Mr.. Cor
mans leadership and placed themselves on
record indorsing the policy of President
Roosevelt. 4.
With the Panama treaty disposed of. an early
adjournment Immediately became the subject OF
discussion and the leaders Of both houses deter
mined to accomplish all necessary legislation
with unparalleled expedition. setting April l as
their goal for adjournment.
THE PosToFFTCE SCANDALS
One more energetic effort was made by the
Democrats 10 create campaign material. The
report of Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow, giving every detail OF the postoffice in
vestigaton of last summer. had been called for
by a committee OF the House and had been made
public. 1t clearly demonstrated the thorough
with which every clew TO dishonesty in the
postal service had been followed. and the unre-
hitting and inexorable character OF the inquiry
which Mr. Bristow had conducted. Thirty in
dictments had been procured and eight convic-
tons obtained. while cases brought under the
remaining twenty-five indictments were still in
the courts, with no diminution in the vigor with
which they were being prosecuted There was
nothing in the document TO afford comfort or
consolation to the Democratic politicians. and
they quickly perceived that fact
Driven to desperation for a party issue. they
thought that a further investigation might be
instituted. which. whether It revealed the ex-
istence Of any irregularity undiscovered by
Mr. BrIstow or not would afford abundant and
fruitful material for the partisan press. which
could easily send out from Washington col
umns OF unfounded rumor and speculation. were
such inquiry in progress. Hours Of debate
and pages OF The Congressional Record were
filed with the vociferous demands Of the Demo-
Gratis for such an investigation. and at one
time. although not convinced OF the need OF
further upsetting the discipline and disturbing
the routine OF the Postoffice Department by
such an inquiry. IT seemed as II the Republicans
would yield 10 the demagogic arguments OF
their opponents. Then, however. II was learned
that the non-partsan commission consisting Of
Holmes Conrad and Charles J. Bonaparte.
called by the President to the assistance Of the
departments Of Justice and Postof1ce in the
investigation. was still I'm existence. looking into
the few remaining unravelled tangles OF the
former inquiry and authorized to bring to the
attention Of the grand jury any evidence which
would warrant application for Indictment
Democrats in Congress who had been making
wild and general charges OF malfeasance were
invited TO bring 10 the attention. Of Messrs.
Conrad and Bonaparte any evidence which they
believed should be further investigated and
from that time nothing more has been heard
Of a general Postoffice investigation, even from
those Democrats who were loudest in proclaim
ing in debate the existence of irregularities still
unprobed
THE NATIONAL FINANCES.
Early in the session. on January 20. Repre-
sentative Hemenway, chairman Of the Commit
tee on Appropriations. warned Congress Of the
necessity for strict economy, He drew atten-
ton to the fact that the total estimates for the
approaching fiscal year called for an expendi-
ture of S724 474 600 exclusive of SOC. 100000 re-
quired to meet the sinking fund. Adding the
amount included in special appropriation bills.
Mr. Hemenway estimated the grand total Of this
years appropriations at S747.317.922. Deduct
ing from this sum S7O4, 472 O60 Secretary
Shaw's estimate of revenues for the next fiscal
year Mr.. Hemenway showed estimated def
icit for the year 1904-'05 of $40 S45 S62 Re
ferring TO the Treasury surplus of 1924. 0O0.000
Mr. Hemenway predicted it's rapid reduction.
He showed that S131 100000 was already ap-
propriated for the Panama Canal and unex-
pended balances for the navy, rivers and har-
bors and the House building. Basing his argu-
ment on these figures, he urged the most rigid
economy in every possible direction. How
closely the advice OF the chairman of the Com
mittee on Appropriations has been followed and
how businesske has been the conduct OF this
Congress are shown by his statement issued to-
day. The authorized expenditures of the ses-
sion amount to S69S. 272, 7S6, which. deducted
from the revenues. estimated at S7O4472O60
leaves a surplus of $6199274 AS experience