The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-01
LOBBY ALLEGED TO Be
WORKING ON SENATORS
Seeking Repeal of Land Laws
Patterson and Clark Accuse
Each Other of Lying.
POSTOFFICE BILL DEBATE

WASHINGTON. March 31.-The attention
of the Senate was divided to-day between
the bill for the repeal of the desert land
the timber and stone and the homestead
Communication laws and the postoffice ap-
preparation bill. The repeal bill taken
up only for the purpose of discussion and
Mr.. Clark, of Wyoming. was the principal
speaker. He contested the position taken
by Mr.. Gibson, that there have been great
frauds in the administration of the land
laws in the West He declared that there
is a lobby In Washington in the interest of
the repeal bill, and engaged in a short
colloquy with Mr.. Patterson. during which
each characterized the statement of the
other as untrue.
Never In the history of land legislation %
said Mr.. Clark, has there been such de-
termined. such a barefaced lobby as is
behind this legislation and which has been
pressing ii for the past three years. 1t is
no secret that one of the largest holders of
these lands recently has boasted at public
Banquet that he had contributed 1000 for
the purpose of this BILL
Mr.. Gibson and Mr.. Patterson both de-
manded the name of the in question,
but Mr.. Clark declined to give it to the
personalities of that character In the Sen
ate but he would give the name to any
senator WHO might wish It,
IT think" said Mr.. Patterson, that the
name should be given here; that man should
be known and be branded throughout the
country
Proceeding Mr.. Patterson demanded that
Mr.. Clark should say who constitutes the
<~Tx ~, y
Mr.. Clark again declined, but said the
senator from Colorado knew who consti-
tuted the lobby.
Mr.. Patterson replied promptly: when
the senator from Wyoming says that
know who constitutes the lobby of which
he complains he speaks hastily and without
justification; there is not one word of truth
In that statement.
merely to say that Mr.. Patterson must
have observed the lobby, and he withdrew
the statement that the Colorado senator
had had positive knowledge of its ex-
istence.
The general debate on the postoffice bill
was confined largely to speech by Mr..
McCreary and Interruptions by Republi-
the main. that the policy of an early adj
iournment of Congress had been adopted
In order to avoid legislation not desired by
the Republican leaders. Mr.. McCreary de-
clared that there had been more wasteful
exfrayagance during the past two admin
ipstrations and especially under the pres
ent administration, than ever before. He
accused the Republicans of obstructing
the passage OF the department buildings
bill in Washington.
This latter statement Mr.. Hoar objected
IN as unfair in view of the fact that the
building bill was pressed by Mr.. Fairbanks.
n Republican, and opposed by Mr.. Cor
man. a Democrat. Mr.. German took excep-
lions, saying he had opposed only the To-
cation of the proposed building.
In response to a request from Mr.. Patter-
son. Mr. Penrose explained the provision
appropriating 81. 900. 600 for the purchase of
the Pennsylvania Railroad site for post
office in New York, saying that an excep-
ffonal opportunity was presented TO Sc
o,Ire a very desirable site and that the
building was greatly needed He said that
the land was worth more than it was pro
posed to pay for IT.
fact that New York city had a postofice
building costing s5.000.OO0 or ss000.0OO and
that there was a provision In the bill for
rental at the rate of $4,000 year for TWEEN
tv-five wears for another location. IL struck
him that the plumS were being crowded too
PLANTATION of the relationship of the pro-
nosed purchase TO the Pennsylvania Rail
road Company and the New York Central
Mr. Fairbanks said that the postoffice
building at the lower end OF the city was
Entirely inadequate TO tile conduct of the
postal business in New York. and Mr.. Pen
rose said that $4,000 a year would be saved
IN the carriage of mails If the proposed
building on Thirty-first street should be
erected.
The conference report on the agricultural
bill was agreed TO and after a brief execu-
tive session the Senate at DID O'Clock ad-
tourneG.