The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-03-31

WASHINGTON, March S6.-Ine Sen
ate to-day began consideration Of the
pCstofice appropriation bin and it was
the signal for a renewal of the Demo-
cratic demand for an investigation Of
the charges Of corruption In the Post
enice Department
The debate was initiated by German,
who spoke fer almost two hours n
criticism Of the course Of the Repub-
lican party in the Senate in refusing
sn inquiry and at the same time charg-
ing the Pestoffice Committee with I'M
cue haste in reporting the bill. as he
cid the Republican party with a desire
Il adjourn Congress at an exceptionally
early date in order 70 meet the wishes
II the President Clay contended that
there should be a Congressional in
quiry, saying the charges against
Heath, ex-First Assistant Postmaster
General, were such as to demand in
vestigauon. Penrose and Lodge spoke
for the Republican side Of the cham
her. defending the Committee on Post
Offices against the charge OF haste and
also the administration. Lodge con-
tended that Congress could not make
an inquiry that would be as thorough
es that already made by the POstoffice
Department. He charged the Demo-
cratic attack to a desire TO find a po-
ftical issue Scott quoted District At
torney Beach and Assistant Attorney
General RObb as saying that there was
rot sufficient evidence upon which to
fBdict Heath.
GOR1fAN OPENS DEBATE.
When the postofice appropriation bill
was taken UP German addressed the
Senate. saying that notwithstanding
the bin carried $4,000, 600 the Senate
Committee on Postof1ces had spent
only two days in its consideration, and
that now, when only four days have
elapsed since the bTI came from the
House. the Senate was asked to pass
upon il. he could net comprehend the
haste displayed. Indeed, he asserted,
from the beginning Of the session there
apparently had been some mysterious
influence at work in connection with
the Po6office matter. He did not mean
80 be unaerstoOt that either the Post
master General or any OF the principal
Assistant Postmasters General had
been Untrue 20 their trust, but so far
as Information had been allowed to
o0ze 0ut ito had shown that there had
been laxitys in the department. He also
said that there had been persistent
GeDial n the privilege Of investigation
~ the affairs Of the Postohice Depart
ment and he urged that it was not yet
TOO late 20 take steps TO prevent
"fuStheT robbery and thievery in the de-
psrtment."
He then reviewed the efforts TO Sc
cure authority for a Senatorial inves-
tigstion intOo postofice affairs. Citing
the various resolutions introduced TO
that end. he said:
Il doubt whether under similar cir
cuu.stauces a similar resolution has
ever been fought so vigorously" In
deed. he said. SIr. Peprcse, chairman
Of The Committee on Postofices, was
the only Republican who had not stood
out against an inquiry. Nor had the
denial been confined TO investigation,
for his own simple resolution asking
for the report Of the Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General ana that Of Messrs.
Conrad and Bonaparte had been re-
sisted and the resolution passed over
for the time. In view OF the fact that
the reports had already been printed
n had not been able TO see the reason
for these tactics.
1T is said" he went on. that Con-
gress must adjourn speedily; that from
one source a request amounting 70 or