Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1904-03-16
SHARP TALK IN CONGRESS
HemberS Get Warm Over the POST
office Investigation Hatter.

Representatives will result from the
publication OF the report involving
members Of Congress in that con-
nection was indicated by every eX-
prcsslon possible short of a vote in
that body. With whirlwind OF pro-
test the report was taken up by in
disnant members, their personal con-
nection with it explained. and cpl
thets hurled at Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Bristow.
The BlistOw report was conceived
In iniquity. BON in sin, and has tray
elcd its course until it has struck the
public OF the United States as
great attack upon Il body Of mon as
free from wroug-doing. corruption.
crime and irrcgularity as any equal
number OF men on the face OF the
earth" This was ;he parting shot
Of Representative GrosvCnor. of Ohio.
in paying his tribute to the report
That document is the production
IF y liar and a scoundrcl." shouted
Representative Hill of Connecticut,
on making an explanation OF his con
ncc;ion with certain leases. He add
I'd that he should vote to Investigate
himself. and also the Fourth Assis-
tant Postmaster General. There Is
nothing in any Of it 10 impugn any
improper motive or conduct upon any
member of the House" was the eX-
prCssion Of Chairman OYerstree, Of
the committee who combat ID the
idea OF an investigation.
Mr. Williams, the Democratic lead.
er. urged an investigation OF the
whole Postonicc Department. and re-
ceived the hearty applause of both
sides OF the House and the galleries
which had filled during the discus
sion. 1t was soon found that the two
hours which had been allotted to the
subject was not going to he near
enough time for the personal explain
2tiOnS which members were demand
Ing the right to make, and a motion
TO extend the debate until four O'Clock
tomorrow was carried with vim.
Mr.. Overstrcct proposed Il postpone
ment OF the discussion until Monday
in order to give the members mere
time. Mr. Hay, of Virginia; Finley,
Of South Carolina, and others opposed
postponement.
Mr.. Hepburn. Republican, OF Iowa.
said that any investigation OF the
Postoffice Department would not
elicit any facts not brought out by
tho committee report. Il say that
an investigation would elicit further
facts. and that these facts have been
suppressed" retorted William Alden
Smith, amid loud applause from the
floor and galleries.
Mr. Williams said he wanted the
corruption in the Postofice Depart
ment to he Investigated. not by the
friends Of the men who have been
guilty of corruptions but by the House
OF Representatives.
As TO the Hay resolution. Mr.. Viii
liams said ii did not touch the qucs-
ton that somebody at the POstolice
Department has somehow included in
.hc report the name Of man after man
In the House of Representatives and
IL the Senate. guilty of no apparent
wrong. guilty of no violation of any
law. guilty of no moral obliquity. gull.
tv OF nothing that bears oven the
lingo OF criminality."
What was the motive of ito" he
vigorously inquired. Wasn't it to
give the Congress notice that the De
partment held something over Con
SrCaS and that Congress had better
let the Department alone?" he inquir-
ed his words being drowned by ap-
plause from both sides.
Mr.. Hay. OF Virginia, said he did not
altogether agree with Mr.. Williams.
81 believe there ought 10 be an inves-
tigation OF the Postotfice Department.
and along with it an investigation of
these charges against members"
Mr.. Cooper. of Wisconsin. declared
that President Roosevelt had directed
the prosecution of members of his
own party.
Mr.. Moon. Of Tennessee. facing the
Republican side, said: These thieves
being yours and not ours. it is for
you. not for us. to say if they snail
have yo1. protection"
Mr. Underwood. of Alabama. said
that "T.o man who is innocent is
afrait: to face such charges as these.
But. he said, If a man is guilty he
ought to be recLired to appear before
the bar of me House"
Mr. Ovorstreet then withdrew his
motion to postpone, and the House
proceeded TO discuss the resolution
Mr. Overstreet. referring to the rec
concentrations made by member Of
Congress. said that there was in no
instance any violation of any law
whatever by any member of Congress
III making any recommendation. eth
or for increase Of clerk hire ALLOW.
ance or increase of rent of postofficc
i buildings.
The resolution proposes an investi-
cation by five members of this body"
he said. whereas committee OF sew
| enteen members representing an
equal number of States. OF both par
ties in politics. which has already had
before II in a proper way this infor-
nation. has unanimously reported TO
the House that there is no need for
! further Investigation.
Mr.. Moon of Tennessee insisted
that there should be an investigation
| covering the Postoffice Department