New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-12


CRITICISED POSTMASTER GENERAL
Mr.. Clayton. Of Alabama was unsparing in his
criticism OF Postmaster General Payne. 10 whom he
referred that distinguished imbecile who hap
pens 10 be Postmaster General Of the United
States" He then entered into explanation Of
the lease Of the postofice building at Union
Springs. Ala. Facing the Republican side. and
raising his voice 10 the highest pitch Mr.. Clayton
said that IF this report uncovers any rascality
oy members Of Congress. it IS that side OF the
Mr.. clayton spoke OF the TuIloch charges. and
the light way In which Postmaster General Payne
treated them. When members Of the press called
81 nm about H. Mr. Clayton said. the Postmaster
ssIeheral laughed When further pressed for in
/ formation he said the Postmaster General. that
The T,iIi speclInen OF asnlnity cIaIaeter1Le9
been pursued. he yehemently declared. not by
and President Roosevelt, but in response 10 a de-
sonal attack on PoStrnsstsr General ps,-a and re-
TERED TO him as "A Mr.. Hot Air Man" and
Mr.. Horse Laughter Man" who had been publicly
congratulated by the President for the dis
cgulshea service he rendered the country in Sc
federates" He wanted. he said. 10 rip open the
SHOW t ilom T5 OF Of the De and
with loud applause as he took his seat.
Another accused member. Mr.. Jenkins Of Wis
SGpS1i wrought himself up to high state OF in
BIistow from office before the sun went down"
and the Postmaster General had charged him with
in !-KH a corrupt contract with Beavers;
Without my protest here or anywhere"
D
mixes the names Of honorable men with those Of
Mr.. Swanson CvaD insisted that every member
OF the House, whether he was mentioned I'm the
fullest Investigation OF the Postoffice Department
The whole amount involved. he said. represented
by the Increases was only S14 20 He attributed
Ss I4e reason f4r the report desire Of the depart
William Alden Smith CIichD said: II denounce
TINS report as voluntary and gratuitous insult
ment 7ie'' executive uepiF 'i'iei' OF 'iS govern
That department had undertaken voluntarily TO
m oh r0lfa Of he
which should have been given he continued
COMPLIMENT FOR SPEAKER CANNON.
He then threw the House into n state Of wild
excitement. Men Of the highest character. he
declared had been assailed by the report, among
them the Speaker Of the House himself.
Il hope" he said. his words being almost COM
pletelv drowned by the cheering and handclappng
with which his remarks were received on both sides
OF the House and in the galleries. that the day
is not far distant when with the general consent
OF the American people the Speaker will be lifted
into the executive Office
The scene which followed this remark almost
Understandable. The membership Of the House
to man wildly cheered The echoes had not
Gleu out when dnere Vas Sn9{ner G4tourst 2I yell
cannon In the mean time was vigorously rapptng
I there was not a bureau az the Government that
shows proper respect for the direct representatives
made to wait by bureau ofcers Mr Smiths time
| had expired whereupon Mr. Clayton cAiaJ asked
amid shouts Of approval. that Mr.. Smith have
Il object" shouted Mr. Overstreet in the midst
OF the uproar Mr.. Clayton's motion had caused. He
! tOverstreeD then asked unanimous consent for a
continuation OF the debate for three days.
cratic leader who was crowded of the floor by Mr.
CLAYTON and who. facing Mr. Overstreet said con
e1eitedly shouted Mr.. Gaines CTennJ.
The utmost confusion reiEned.
Mr. Oyerstreet failed TO secure extension Of the
/ debate for even one day. on the objection Of Mr..
Hay
Of his record in the report II was by no means
"a fair measure OF his activity for his constituents
o., ~ -o,,s toyg fr bicb bsy' -orf,ai lil
say: why did ne here strutting with his wing
his leg: he did not DO this for after all
/ NJ. Wade Uowa) said he OF the few
members from his state not entitled to "honorable
/ OF the Postof1ce Department and the interior
Mr. Thayer Ciasql read from the original Rris-
lion disclosed I'm 1sqs had continued until stoned
| by this investigation" and said he believed that
The surface He called attention to the instances Of
! unv-arranted increased clerk hire secured Mr.
/ Bristow. An investigation was needed. he said
I To PROVIDE FOR SELECT COMMITTEE
Mr. Mccall OIass) argued that the state OF the
public mind with respect TO the Postofice Depart
rnent was such that when a whisper was made BY
any one in connection with postal matters that
/ whisper reyerbera;ed from one end Of the country
to the other. lie opposed general investigation
at this time saying:
IF have any dirty linen we should wash that
/ linen before engage in general laundry bust
ness"
Mr. Mccall then submitted n motion Ito commit
the pending report Of the Committee Postofhces
and Postroads and all accompanying papers and
be appointed by the Speaker, with Instructions TO
consider said report. its origin and all comInuni
that said select committee be authorized fuIy, to
| investigate the same. TO hear members and other
the Postofice Department In respect TO matters
affecting members OF the House contained IN sala
report, papers and communicate tons. ana report 10
I the House the result or said Investigations ana
1T rsid select COMMITTEES is hereby authorized 10
sit during the sessions OF the House, examine wit
uesses on oath compel the attendance Of witnesses
c1p t0 aSsIstance as may be necessary and have
such printing done the needs of the committee
- The rest Of the time was consumed by Mr. Payne
q. y. He has he SAID no JpTsieiio h, SOo T
inquired, What shall we do2 II Is no answer to
dressing the Republican side, he urged them To
vote for the Mccall proposition. -,
made" ne said. invite investigation and bring out
the facts and send them TO the 1yies n Law
the Hav resolution the table was read. Mr..
sfiaton Of the entire Postoice Department by
a committee of 1--WE members Of the House Against
Mr. Williams said that an investigation of the
because II has been thought pest ioT inc hepuDII
Iican partv' Members. he said, had arisen and
p%s t CS i DsparfmSnt was guilty Of suppression
of letters and OF documents. and. he added sup
Addressing the Republican side; he said: -,,
The country knows the World h nov ana y0u
an apreal from the decision OF the Chair TO make
IN 3 ofes on the matter Speaker Cannon said
that the question before the House rs a matter
Of such high privilege touching the dignity OF inc
House and the integrity of members IN thelr Fep-
resentative capacity, that 1t displaced ali other
TJe then. in an elaborate opinion. quoted many
o. he addition OF non-privileged matters TO privi
legged ones and sustained the point Of order against