Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-10
IN THE HOUSE.
Investigation Of Post Office Depart
ment to Be Made.

Investigation Of Post Office Depart.
ment to Be Made.
Washington March 9.-That an in
vestigation of the post office depart
ment by the House of Representatives
will result from the publication of the
report involving members of Congress
in that connection. was indicated by
every expression possible short of Il
vote I'm that body, today. With a
whirlwind of protest the report was
taken up by Indignant members. their
personal connection with it explained
and epithets hurled at Fourth Assist
ant Postmaster General BristOw.
1.-THE Bristow report was conceived
in iniquity, born in sin, and has traV-
cIled its course until it has struck the
public of the United States as a great
attack on body of men as free from
wrongdoing corruption, crime and
irregularity as any equal number of
men on the face of the EARTH"
This was the parting shot of Repre-
sentative Grosvenor of Ohio in paying
his tribute to the report.
THAT document is the production of
a liar and a scoundrel." shouted Rep
making an explanation of his cOnnec-
ton with certain leases. He added that
he should vote both to investigate
himself and also the fourth assistant
postmaster general.
There Is nothing in any of it to i'm
pugn any proper motive or conduct
upon any member of the House." said
Chairman Overstreet of the commit
-
vestigdtion.
Williams. the Democratic leader.
urged a complete investigation Of the
whole post office department. and re-
Ceived the hearty applause of bO,h
sides Of the House and the galleries.
1t was soon found that the two hours
which had been allotted to the sub
jcct was not going to be near enough
time for the personal explanations
which members were demanding the
right to make. and a motion to extend
the debate until 4 o'clock tomorrow
was carried.
When the House met. today. the in
vocation was delivered by Rev. J. J.
Dolliver, father of Senator Dolliver of
Iowa. Immediately thereafter w.
Bourke Cochran, who was elected to
succeed Mayor George r. Mcclellan
from the 18th district of New York.
was sworn in. Upon being escorted
to the Speakers desk by Mr.. Sulzer.
Mr.. Cochran was greeted with applause
from the galleries. A bill was passed.
extending the exemption from head
tax to citizens of Newfoundland ente.-
ing the United States.
Overstreet. Ind, chairman Of the
committee on post offices and post
roads. was then recognized.
Overstreet spoke for an hour. re-
serving the balance of his time. He
made a motion that debate continue
until o'clock. tomorrow, which was
unanimously agreed to.
The postmaster general. he said put
$50 r,embers and senators on the list
and sent them into the newspapers
under the head of charges" Irregular
tiles. etc. Hay. Va. said he did not
altogether agree with Williams II
believe there ought to be an investi-
CATION Of the post office department
and along with 1t an investigation of
these charges against members" he
said.
Cooper. Wis. followed and said he
was zone of the members under in
dictment." No member of the House.
he said. whose name was in the list
coupled with that of A. w. Machen,
whom the country knows and the
world knows is a convicted felon on
his way to the penitentiary. has the
right to stand up in the House and
ask for n moments delay upon the
resolution"
He declared that President Roose-
Welt had directed the prosecution Of
members of his own party.
Moon. Tenn, next got the floor and
facing the Republican side said that
II point Of order was made you
stand as protecting shield against
an investigation"
Continuing he said that these
thieves being yours and not ours. it is
for you. not us to say if they shall have
your protection
Hill. Conn.,. and Finley, s. c., op-
posed postponement.
Overstreet then withdrew his motion
to postpone and the House proceeded
to discuss the resolution under the
special order allowing an hour and a
half to each side.
OverStreet took the floor and said
that whatever may be the truth 70 the
allegations in the several indictments
against postal officials the mere fact
that the various recommendations of
representatives in Congress passed
through the hands of men whose con-
duct has been severely criticised and
whose liberties have been threatened,
imputes neither censurable conduct nor
improper acts on their part.
ut can be said with absolute assur-