The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-09
WANT IT PROBED
DEMOCRATIC SENATOR'S ARE NOT
SATISFIED WITH
THE PoST0FFICE INQUIRY.
SENATE SHOULD MAKE AN INVEs-
TIGATION.

hG senators POStt1NGIX
Oppose the Submission of the
POStOnice Department in a Sena-
tOrial Investigation Democrats
Charge That They Are Afraid on
the Eve of an Election of What
Would BE Discovered.
Washington, Jan. S.-Alleged postof-
flee frauds were under discussion in
the Senate to-day. the subject being
opened in a set speech by Mr.. Sim
mons of North Carolina, who insisted
there should be an investigation by the
Senate into the charges.
Mr.. Platt of Connecticut denied that
the Republicans were trying to cover
up any wrong doing in the Postoffice
Department and said they were sim
ply contending that the Postoffice
Committee should ascertain what was
to be investigated
The discussion was participated in
by Naassrs. Burrows. Dolliver, and
Quarles on the Republican side, and
Messrs. Carmack, Tillman and Teller
on the Democratic side.
Mr.. Simmons said it was clearly the
purpose of the Republicans not to per-
init any further inquiry into the
frauds and scandals of the depart
ment He predicted that when the
| resolutions came from the Senate
Committee they would be defeated by
practically the unanimous vote of the
Republicans.
1t was apparent. he said, that no
further investigation would be per-
mitted on the eve of a presidential
Inquiry Not Wide Enough.
Speaking of the Bristow inquiry, Mr..
| Simmons said the reports of that in
quiry showed it to be one directed sole
! ly into crimes committed within the
department, and that the various bu-
reaus were not subjected to the gem
eral search for the disclosure of ir-
| Irregularities not punishable as crimes.
| II do not charge that every branch
of the department is reeking with
| fraud" he said, but it will be difficult
to convince the people that such is
not the case. The investigation that
has been had, was merely of legal
| character"
NJ. Simmons made the point that the
| frauds exposed by Mr.. Brlstow in
nearly every instance form civil la
bility, and that government funds
which had been wasted should be re-
covered in a court of law.
Mr.. Tillman said that number OF
! years ago. he had asked that rural
| free delivery boxes be supplied to far
ers at cost, and that he had sub
mitted a sample box which sold for
SO cents. This box. Mr.. Tillman said
was furnished later at $1.25 and 81 90
| each. He wanted to know whether
any investigation of this case had
been made.
Mr.. Simmons answered that the Bris-
tow report exposed many such cases.
How Was Heath COncernedf
Mr.. Simmons referred to former AS
sistant Postmaster General Heath, and
said that there was every reason why
an inquiry should be directed to finding
out what his connections were with
| the postoffice scandals. He did not
say Perry Heath was guilty, but If he
was not connected with the frauds,
ne was surrounded by the most curl
Gus set of circumstances that had ever
been known.
Mr.. Simmons also criticized former
Postmaster General Smith, because he
| did not investigate IHe Ciicii bNos
| Speaking of Mr.. Tulloch'S experience
in the Postoffice Department, Mr.. Sim
mons said, "Who knows but what
his dismissal was for the purpose of
intimidating other employees who might
have had information for the exposure
of frauds"
When Mr.. Simmons concluded, Mr..
Platt of Connecticut said 1t had been
charged by the Democratic senators
in direct terms that if an investiga-
ton is not had it would be becrs2e
the Republicans objected to the in
yestigation. He said that such was
not the case; that what the RepuDll-
cans had demanded was that the Post
Office Committee should conduct an IN
ouiry to determine whether a con-
gressional investigation is necessary.
Exception to the Republican position
was taken by Mr.. Carmack, who said
that the Democrats are not agreed to
leave the matter entirely to the Com
mittee on Postoffices and Post Roads.
I'VE admit" he said, that Mr. Bris-
lows investigation was thorough so
far as it went, but we deny that 1t was
elaborate or comprehensive.
Wants no Committee Probing.
Mr.. Platt contended that the COM
mittee should report to the Senate
whether an investigation is necessary,
r. -
ARRANGEMENT would leave the entire
matter in the hands of the committee.
The Senate now, he said, should or
der an investigation. No course short
of this would meet the demands of the
situation. He declared that the POST
master General had stood in the way
of an honest investigation, and in view
of his obstinate opposition and in view
of the fact that rottenness had been
found in some divisions of the POST
office Department the inference was
that there had been corruption in other
divisions.
For this reason he wanted an In
yestigation, and he would have 1t nom
partisan in character.
Mr.. Tillman charged that the oppo-
sition to an investigation was charac-
terized by craftsmanship. There was an
apparent attempt to congressional
smothering. He did not see how hon
est men could stand up in the face of
public sentiment and try to prevent an
investigation and allow the statute of
limitations to prevent the prosecution
of the rascals."
Mr.. Quarles criticised the remarks
made by Mr.. Carmack concerning the
Postmaster General, and Mr.. Carmack
explained that he referred entirely to
Mr.. Paynes predecessor. I'm respect
to the Tuiloch charges" said Mr.. Car
mack, II do not think the present
Postmaster General was as diligent as
he might have been. Perhaps he re-
lied too much upon what had been the
course Of his predecessor"
Mr.. Dolhver said the disclosures of
corruption In the Postoffice Depart
,.o,4 toataad NJ convincing him that