The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-18

Washington, March 1.-THE Senate
passed the Notifications appropriation
bill to-day after a three hours discus
sion OF the amendment authorizing
the purchase of an experimental tor
pedo boat and the provision for the
purchase of sites for defense works
in the Hawaiian Stands. The torpedo
boat provision was ~stubbornly fought.
but the amendment suggested by the
committee on appropriations was re-
tanned. The Hawaiian provision
which had been eliminated by the
committee, was restored and the sum
increased from $500, 900 as liked in the
House te s526,100.
Several minor bills were passed.
oae Of these appropriates $1,000, 600
for public building at Atlanta, Ga.
THE HOUSE
Washington. March 15.-During the
discussion of the postoffice appropria-
tisn bill in the House today, the recent
report of the pOStofiice department re-
arddn congressional solicitation of
clerk hire allowances and rental of
quarters to the government was again
brought UP. Mr.. Griggs, of Georgia,
get into an argument with Mr.. Cooper,
OF Wisconsin. as to the authorship Of
the document n insisted, over the
protest OF Ar. Cooper. that it was pre-
pared under the direction of Mr.. Bris-
tow.
Discussing the prohibition IN the
bill that rural carriers shall not after
July L, 1894. solicit business or re-
ceive orders of any kind from any per-
sOn, firm or corporation. Mr.. Briggs
said hat if these carriers were per-
mitted to act as agents, he wanted h
Law SO framed that the carrier would
not become a dictator as to what
newspapers he shall carry or the
trades people he shall represent. The
law. he said, should require them to
accept orders equally and impartially
from everybody. He aSSailed the let
ter carriers organization for the man
ner OF making its demands upon Con-
gress and said the carriers had made
an effort to intimidate Congress into
acceding to these demands
He was interrupted by Mr.. Burle-
son. of Texas, who asked if the execu-
tive order prohibiting government en-
pIsyes from lobbying before Congress
was a jest"
II always have thought So" Mr
Griggs replied, and he said further
that IL he was representing the pres
emit occupant OF the White House as
his attorney. he would enter a plea
of guilty and stop further investiga-
ten
Mr.. Grtggs referred to the recent
report of the poStoffice department as
"tae Bristov report and this opened
up afresh the discussion of that now
famous document, which had brought
forth such a storm Of indignation
from members OF the House. He said
dat as q member of the committee he
did not see how they could have done
otherwise han make the report pub
lie
was there anything in it which
authorized the committee TO print
tina data under the hearing charges
concerning members of Congress-
inquired Mr.. Cooper OF Wisconsin.
Mr.. Griggs said he. OF course. did
not endorse that and it was unfortu-
nate. uhereupon Mr.. Steel, chairman
Of ne committee. exclaimed that as
soon as he saw the heading he notified
the government printing Office that il
was not justified by the manuscript
MI Cooper sarcastically remarked
that he never had known the govern.
sent printing office to nrint anything
that u-s not on the copy.
Il understand the heading was writ.
ten in the ~postoffice department" Mr.
GTiggs said in reply.
Mr.. bartlett, of Georgia, said tn,
House soon would find out who WI:
responsible for il.
General GrOsvener suggested that i
would be wise to wait until the Houst
knew more about the matter. but Mr.
Cooper insisted that the report should
not be credited to General Brstow.
Mr.. Griggs. however. maintained
that II was BriStow's report
Continuing. he said it had leaked
out that the committee were in pos
session Of information that would con
denim members Of Congress
In the committee, he said. he hat
commended that If there were to b,
Eeaks. il was the committees duty Il
make il public. which they very prop
erfy had done. The United States,
he sair. lis too powerful and toe grea
to convict any man by a suppression
of facts"
But" he said. IF the publication
of sill those things would convict. no
only ne under Indictment but mel
higher I'D or lower down. the repor
should be taken for what it is worth.
II there were men in the inspection
service. he declared. who were afrait
to have their reports see daylight
such men ought to be gotten rid OF
and men put in who were not afraid
There was yet more of the report. h
said. the resports OF inspectors which
ought to go before h public. H
o0EloA attention t0 what he farn al