Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-03-24

| the contest against the confirmation
Of Gen. Leonard Wood to be majo
general, the members Of the Unitet
States senate amused themselves IA,
more than an hour yesterday after
! noon, protected from the gaze OF tn
public by the closed doors Of an ex
ecutive session. A lively interest wa
manifested in the game. It was stated
by members Of the committee that the
game will be introduced at the st
Louis exposition. Senators Cockrel
and Foraker, who have paid extensive
visits to Cuba while the "pelota" sea
son was at its height, explained that
the gambling features of the game
were not essential to its adoption BY
tie Cubans, while Senators Blackburn
Scott and Teller commended that with
out the betting privileges the jai-alai
company would not have made appli-
cation to Gen. Wood for the conces-
sion to erect a building as headquar-
tiers for the game.
Senator Qnarles resumed his speech
in support I the nomination when the
senate went into executive session
at 1858 p. m. and held the floor until
four p. m. It had been expected that
Senator Teller would follow, but on
account of the late hour general dis
cussion was had instead. Senator For
aker will speak to-day In defense Of
Gen. Wood and will occupy most Of
the day. This will carry the case over
until Saturday night at least, as Sem
ators Te''er and Alger both are sched-
uled for speeches.
Just before the house adjourned
Mr.. Southwick, of New York, precipi-
tated brief and lively debate by hav-
ing read an editorial from the New
York World giving republicans credit
for antitrust legislation and the
merger prosecution. 1t was offered by
way of reply to Mr.. Williams. who
Wednesday asked If the merger deci-
sion was to be used by the republicans
as a thee -ical political trick. Mr..
Williams, after the editorial had been
read, declared that the Securities
prosecution was instigated BY Gov. Van
SAINT. whom he STYLED "a blanket In
dian republican" who refused to con-
suit HEADQUARTERS" and that for very
shame. after he had the case docketed.
the administration prior To an election
could not nmo itseir still. mr.. Taw-
ney, Oh Minnesota, asserted that the
democrats In the Flfty-frst congress
voted against antitrust legislation,
put a vigorous protest came from Mr
Gaines, OF tennessee, and Mr.. VIII
liains, each OIL wnom asserted tnat the
democrats unanimously voted Ior sucn
legislation.
Throughout the day the post Office
Dill was under discus
sion and little progress was made.
me minority leader declared that the
post office department was rotten from
turret to foundation stone and the re-
publicans were trying to reorganize 1t
IN an appropriation bill.
Gen. Bristow Before House Committee.
Washington, March 1S.-Fourth AS
'istant Postmaster General Bristow,
n testifying before the house special
committee on the post Office report,
yesterday claimed for himself RESPONSE
,ility for only the first seven pages of |
he report, which was sent to the post |
'fIlce committee, and said the other
'ortions Of the document were the |
york of other officials of the depart
nent. The clerk hire section, he said, |
vas prepared in the Office Of the first |
ssistant postmaster general and that |
art relating to leases by inspectors |
nd others in his own department.
Mr.. Bristow's testimony throws con-
iderable light on all phases of the in
uiry He practically cleared mem
era Of congress from wronpdoinp
ouching the clerk hire section of the
eport by stating that II was the duty
I the first assistants Office to ascer-
ain the condition of the work in an
flee where an increase had been rec
mmended.