The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-24

voted in that year, as he Gid in 1900, for
Mr.. Mckinley. During All the years be-
tween 1898 and 1908. after Mckinley
came in office, during Mr.. Roosevelt
Administration, he retained his position
in the Government, while the real Dcnio-
Gratis occupying positions of the grade he
held went out on account OF their poll
tics.
Now. / wish to read what Mr.. Bristow
says about Machen's politics. 1t is i'm.
portant in view of the disposition of the
Republican party to charge Machen TO
the Democratic party Mr.. Bristow says
In his report, page 81:
An examination of his correspondence
during the Cleveland Administration
shows that he
Meaning Machen-
posed at mat time as a strong and sg-
gTessive Democrat. frequently injecting
political remarks into letters of an ofn-
cial character. But during the closing
days of that Administration he very
lskilfuly shifted and after the 4th of
March, 1897, became greatly interested
in the welfare of the Mckinley Admin,
istration. He acquired new associates,
and was quite successful in establishing
intimate relations with men who were
influential in the White House.
Machens crime, Mr.. President, consists
Of receiving Illegal and fraudulent CON-
for his division. On one contract, that
OF the carriers, satchel AND shoulder
straps he received double commissions.
y contract was made under his direction
for furnishing these satchels and Shout
der straps to the Government at a specific
price. That contract was made in ac-
cordance with the law. Machen then
made a private contract with private
Individual, Lamb, l believe, was his
name, to furnish the straps for these
satchelS. and when pay day came the
contractor was paid the full CONTRACT
Price Notwithstanding he had rot sup
piled the straps, and Machen got com.
mission from him on the full amount,
Lamb was paid for the same straps and
Machen got Il commission from him also.
In another case. the case OF the letter
boxes, Machen got three commissions.
Mr.. Lodge. Mr.. President, will the
Senator allow me a moment TO ask him a
question?
Mr. Simmons. Certainly
Mr.. Lodge He is reading this account
OF Machen | think he omitted the state
ment Mr.. Bristow makes about him az
the time of ais appointment.
Mr. Simmons. No; I did not ! said
Mr.. Bristow states that at the time of his
appointment he posed as a strong Demo-
crat.
Mr.. Lodge l refer to the following:
At that time
That is, the time of his appointment
At that time he was a bankrupt finaE
cialIv. with numerous judgments record
cd against him He was not only
bankrupt but his reputation for BUSH
ness integrity was bad.
That is the time he was appointed.
thought it better to have it all In the
Record
Mr.. Simmons Those facts are disclos,
cd in this report but there Is nothing 10
show that anybody at Washington had
anv knowledge of the existence of Mr..
Machens bankrupt condition at the time
of his appointment
T Furthermore call the attention of the
Senator at the suggestion TO me of the
Senator from Maryland to my left (Mr.
Gorman), to the part of BristoWs report
which I did read, which I commend to
the Senator. in which he says that after
the 9Th of March he became greatly in
terested in the welfare of the Mckinley
Administration. acquired now associates,
and was quite successful in establishing
intimate relations with men who were in
fuential at the White House.
Mr.. Lodge. heard that paragraph,
but I thought tie Senator had overlook
cd Mr. Bristow's remark as to the time
when Machen was named by Mr.. CIeVe'
land for the office.
Mr. Simmons / had not and do not
4hinl, anvbody can charge that | have
heen irving in the least TO suppress or
70 minimize the offense of Machen. His
character was just as well known after.
1897, when he was continued in Office by
Mr.. Mckinley and by Mr. Roosevelt and
uuccacdad in establishing intimate rela-
tions with men influential at the White
House as II was in 1893 when he was
appointed, so far as the record discloses
ond so far as know.
Now Mr.. President, as I started TO
saw when interrupted by the Senator
frop, Massachusetts, on another one OF
tboea contracts Machcn received treble
com missions. that on letter boxes.
contract as required by law was entered
into for Simplifying the Postoffcc Depart
n,ont ,,i+b letter boxes with fasteners at
,a,I,od tLo whole to be painted by tbs
o o,,, 49,, for specific sum. Suisse
o,,n,tI1. Macben entered into a private
dao4. ~, which he purchased these
Canta,,.- from private individual, one
c.oes "a no employed another indivic-
iaI -. indiyidrals who painted the boxes
o 80 V e,e.aners When pay day came the
Auditor Of the Once auolted the con,
tractor's voucher ana paia MN inc iun
n ,Iic 20 although he had neither furnished
tbo fasteners nor painted the. boxes.
Macho,, receiyed commission from the
-, on full amount, and also
from the individuals who fur
n;sbod tho fasteners ana did the paint
ing. .nvtb;n~ Mr. Pros,.
49, ,,rchased for the 1ree-delYery |