The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-05
WORK OF THE HOUSE
HAY OF VIRGINIA HAS A POST OFFICE RESOLUTION.
Provides for the Appointment of Committee to Investigate Charges Made by Bristow Against
 Congressmen.

Washington, Jan. 4.-With the assem- bling of Congress today after the recess, the Chaplain of the House, in opening the session of that body, prayed that war be- tween Russia and Japan might be averted by a peaceful adjustment of their differ ences.
 A privileged resolution, offered by MT. Hay (Dem.). recited that certain state ments contained in the Bristow postoffice report reflected on the membership of the House. It provided for an invest.ga- tion by committee to be appointed Iy the Speaker. A vote. on ordering the pre- vious question, resulted in a tie, the minority supporting MT. Hay. The vote developed no quorum and the House ad- journed.
 The resignation of MT Mcclellan (N. Y.) was announced at the opening of the ses- sion. MT. Hay (Dem., Va.) offered priv ileged resolution as follows:
 Whereas, The Fourth Assistant Post master-General in his report to the Post master-General, dated October 14, 1903, and which report has been transmitted to a committee of this House. has charged that long time lease for postoffice premises were cancelled and rent in creased upon the recommendation of iu- fluential Representatives: and,
 Whereas It Is charged in the same re- port that If a member of Congress re- quested an increase Tn the clerk hire. all lowed a postmaster, Beavers, usually complied. regardless of the merits of the case: and.
 Whereas, Certain cases of an agra vated character are cited on pages 133, 134. 135 of said report to sustain the above charges; and,
 Whereas, On page 145 said report. it Is charged that members of Congress nave violated Section 3,7S9 of the Revised Statutes and in face of the statute, Beav- CTS has made contracts with members of Congress for the rental of premises either in their own name. the names of their agents or some member of their families; and.
 Whereas. These charges. and others contained in said report, reflect upon the integrity of the membership of this House and upon individual members of this House, whose names are not men toned. therefore be 1t
 Resolved, That the Speaker of this House appoint committee, consisting of five members of this House. to iaves l. gate said charges; that said committee e have power to send for persons and pa pers, to enforce the production of the same: to examine witnesses under oath; to have assistance of stenographer, and to have power to sit during the sessions of the House. and to exercise all functions necessary to a complete investigation of said charges. and to report the result of said investigation as soon as practicable. '
 Mir. Gardener (Rep.. N. J.), raised a point of order. contending that there was no specific charge against any member of this Congress-
 MT. Hay contended that the resolution was privileged, and he was supported by MT. Williams (Miss.), the minority leader who insisted that it was due the mem. bership of the House that such an inves- tigatjon be made,
 Mr. Grosvenor (Rep., Ohio) asked MT Hay if it would not be better to adopt u resolution calling on the Fourth Assistant Postmaster-General for the names ot Congressmen, but MT. Hay insisted on his resolution.
 The Speaker overruled the point of or. der.
 Mr. Payne Rep.. N. Y) asked if il would be in order to move to refer thu