The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-15

Washington. March 1.-THE HOUSE Of
Representatives INDUCED itself today
in nearly seven hours of explanation,
accusation and vituperative~ denuciation
and then ordered. with only two mega
tive votes. an Investigation of postal
Affairs so far as members Of the House
are concerned, by a special committee
Of seven members to be appointed by
the speaker, who likewise are to exam
Inc n the origin of the Bristow report
SO far as it concerns members OF the
House. The demand OF the minority
Tor a sweeping investigation of every
branch Of the postoffice department was
not granted. The test on this question
came on a vote which resulted IA to 125,
q strict party vote.
The climax of the day was reached
when Representative William Alden
Smith. of Michigan. condemned every
executive department of the govern
ment for its arrogant treatment OF the
only branch of the government IN di-
rect touch with the people Of the coun-
try-the House of Representatives and
shouted out the nomination Of Speaker
Cannon for President Of the United
States.
n House Numbered it's acquiesence;
members rose to their feet n fairly
shrieked their assent; Democrats waved
whatever was in their hands, Repub-
licans pounded their desks, and the
packed galleries ook up the enthusiasm
and re-echoed the applause. When the
speaker bent low over his desk and
welded his gavel vigorously for order,
his raps only served as an impetus for
q fresh outbreak Of enthusiasm. Mean
while Mr. smiths time ran out and
Then he endeavored to continue in OPP
position to the ruling of the speaker, he
was urged on by the cries of members
on both sides. but without avail.
The parliamentary struggle between
the Republicans and Democrats came
late in the day. The recommendation
OF the committee that the Hay resolu-
ton lay on h table was brushed aside
unanimously. The Democratic demand
for a full investigation finally came to
q vote. in the shape of an appeal from
the decision of the chair by Mr. Griggs,
Of Georgia. and was defeated IA to 125,
a strict party vote.
A resolution for an investigation or
the connection Of members with the de-
partment. offered by Representative
Mccall. Of Massachusetts, then was
agreed to, only Representatives Lind,
Democrat Minnesota. and Gillespie.
Democrat Texas, opposing it..
Mr.. COwherd. of Missouri. opened the
debate with a vigorous INC emphatic
answer to the charges and epithets
which members had hurled at the post
office department. Members, he said,
had stated the department had lied and
published malicious SANDERS against
members of the House. They said the
department did it for a purpose. and
then they say the membership of the
House will appoint a committee before
which members can go and have the
- ~ DIT h1
said. his words being greeted with APP
plause, when you come to investigate
the department, it must be done by
yourselves"
Continuing he inquired: Are You
going to say to the country that the
department that lies about you tells.
the truth obout it's own actions? Do
you intend to go before your constitu-
ency and the good people of the United
States and say that this great depart
ment. which has published this report
conceived in sin and born in iniquity'
Ia the purest n h best and the o
capable to examine into it's own in
quiries?
Loud applause followed this utter
ance.
Mr.. Kluttz, of North Carolina, MAIN
tained that members had been charged
with no violation Of law, but with
a violation Of a secret regulation of the
p~ostoffice department, which could not
have been known to the members
named in the report. who made the re-
quests for additional clerical assistance.
What is more detestable? ?" h. veheln-
emily inquired" than lao nyena in HUI
man form who would ear aside the Sc
pulchre Of the dead and seek to bes-
mirch and befould an honorable reputa-
tion?"
This remark was brought out, because
included among the names mentioned
in the report was that Of the late Rep
resentative Moody, of North Carolina.
MI. KluttZ also vigorously defended
former Senator and now Justice Pritch-
ard. He closed by demanding an in
vestigation Of the department.
Mr.. Finley. South Carolina. a minori-
ty member OF the postoffice committee
said he did not believe General Bristow
compiled the report, but the identity OF
the person who did he asserted, would
oon be revealed.
In many instances within my own
knowledge" he declared, sit contains
as much falsehood as was ever put on
paper"
MI. Finley explained a lease t~ransac-
ton with which his name was connected
in the report.
The publication of this document"