The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-03-17
THE SPIRIT
OF CONGRESS.

kOf IOGE OF I'VE ud9Ss dAd thSA
the consideration of the Army Bill. The
principal question debated in connection
with the Naval Bill was that OF the price
and method of supplying armor plate for
battleShips, and it grew out or an amend
ment suggested by Mir. Patterson providing
for a Government armor plant He ulti-
mateiy withdrew the amendment, but otter
ed several others, all Of which were laid on
the table.
Postal affairs engrossed the attention OF
the House practically to the exclusion or
all else. The subject was introduced by hr.
Oyerstfeet Chairman of the Committee ON
Post Offices and Post Roads. who submitted
the report of that committee on the Hay
resolution calling for certain information
regarding the use of Influence" by mem-
bers of the House to secure increases IN
salary. etc., for Postmasters.
Minority members urged that debate and
vote on the resolution should be deferred.
rs they had not had an opportunity to read
the report, so an agreement was reached
to postpone further action until Nednes-
day, and 1000 copies of the report were
ordered printed.
MIR. Oyerstreet, in connection with the
report. said that in his opinion there was
not single instance of any reflection on
the integrity of any member.
The Post Office Appropriation Bill was
then taken up, and MIR. Moon Dem.
Tenn, the ranking minority member OF
the IOSJ Juice SOIlu1flttt, dildiShCu liz
present system employed in the Post Office
Department, and made an appeal for q
general investigation of the affairs of the
Department. Mr.. Cowherd lDem., Mo. !.
also a member of the Committee. followed
with an analytical review of the charges
made in the Bristow report, which ne re-
ferred to as shameful story of fraud and
misadministration. He also favored gen
eral Congressional investigation of postal
affairs.
: Without debate, the House unanimously
adopted the resolution OF Mr.. Martin KEEP
s.. d., directing the Secretary OF Com
merce and Labor to investigate the causes
for the differences in prices which exist be-
tween live cattle and dressed beef.
March S.-The Senate spent almost the
entire day discussing the Committee amend
ments of the Army Bill, concerning pro-
yisional troops in the Philippines, and the
constellation of the Adiutant-G Generals Of
Gee with the Record and Pension Office.
The Porto kican amendment was objected
TO by Democratic Senators as tending to
Q more pronounced military form of Gov
eminent Both amendments ultimately
were accepted.
The bill was amended so as TO provide
Cor an increase in the Engineer Corps.
The day in the House was set apart for
the consideration of claim bills. Thirty
two bills of this character were passed
One, relating to the granting of an Ameri-
can register to the ship Beaumont, gave
rise to considerable debate. MIR: Stevens
(Minn. made the point that to admit such
TO American registry would be detrimental
TO the interests of American workmen. He
was seconded by Mr.. Humphrey Wash !.
The friends of the bill. which was passed,
Eere Messrs; Fordney, William Alden
ssHR ais Me MsM IssnIsu Mish,,. fhayer
Shortly after the House convened, Speak
Or Cannon stood by a former precedent in
ruling upon the conference report on the
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial APP
preparation Bill, holding that conferees
could not insert new matter.
March 9.-During the last hours of the
consideration this day of the Army Appro-
priation Bill in the. Senate, Mr.. Bacon en-
fefed a protest against the acceptance of
The statue of Frederick the Great of Ger
many, rendered by Emperor William, bas-
Ing his opposition on the ground that the
with American institutions. Mr.. Stewart
defended him against what he characterized
as Mr.. Bacon's gross misrepresentation.
The bill was passed. The. Philippine ship
ping bill was also passed after speeches in
opposition by Messrs. Cnlberson and Pat
terson.
That an investigation of the Post Office
Department by the House of Representa-
lives will result from the publication of
the report involving members of Congress
IN that connection was indicated by every
oppression possible short Of a vote in that
body. With whirlwind of protest the re-
port was taken mp by indignant members,
kheir personal connection with it explained,
and epithets hurled at Fourth Assistant
POstmaster-Genera1 Bristow.
Republicans and Democrats were equally
vigorous In their denunciation of the Post
Ofhce Department, and demands for COM
plete investigation were eheered on both
sides of the House. The House leaders
hope, however, that when members have
had chance to cool down they will take
2 less passionate view of the proposed in
vestigation.
1t soon was found that the three hours
which had been allotted to the subject 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 was carried with vim.
March l0.-The Senate passed a num-
Der of bills relating to Alaska, but failed
60 act upon the measure authorizing the
election Of delegate in Congress from that
Territory. Mr.. Platt fConn.1 opposed the
bill, and because of his opposition and his
desire for time for discussion it was not
passed.
The Alaskan bills passed included those
nance of schools. the appointment of an ad-
ditional Judge, and the extension OF the
coal laws to the Territory.
Several other bills were passed. includ;np
one increasing to 500 the pension of ex.
soldiers who have become totally blind on
account of service
Upon the announcement of the death Of
Representative Croft the House adjourned.
after 10 minutes session.
March 1.-THE Senate went into or
ecutiye session soon after converting. The
propriety Of considering in open session
the Carmack resolution calling for the pa.
pers in the Wooley case was discussed
Ultimately vote was reached, and il re-
suited against taking the matter nm In
: open Senate Soon afterward the eonfir-
nation OF Gen. Leonard Wood was taken
up and occupied the Senate for most of
the afternoon =
The House Of Representatives, INDUCED
Itself In nearly seven hours Of explanation.
accusation, and vituperatiye denunciat ion
and then ordered, with only two negative
votes, an Investigation Of Postal Affair."
90 far as members Of the House are con.
cerned by q special committee of seven
members. to be appointed by the Speaker
who likewise are to- examine into this
origin Of the Bristow report, SO far an j,
concerns members Of the House. The de-
mand Of the minority for a sweeping In
yestigation Of every branch OF the Pos,
ONCE Department was not granted. Tn,
test on this question came on a VOTE
which resulted LA to 125, q strict part,
vote.