The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-11
Irate Representatives in Con-
gress ON the War Path.
Determined to Have Scalp of
Assistant p. NJ. General.
TO BE DISMEMBERED.
His Bureau Will Be Shorn of
Much Power
If the Indignant Congressman
Obtain Their Way.

Washington, March lit Is the in
tention of the congressman caught in
Joseph l.. Bristow's drag net to take
away from Bristow the control of the
postoffice inspection and make it a
special division. Robert J. Wynne,
first assistant postmaster general, is
marked for slaughter and the represen-
tatives have decided to transfer the
free delivery division back to the first
assistants office and demand that a
new man be selected in the place of
Wynne. The free delivery, both rural
and urban, is now under General Bris-
tow's control.
The irate representatives say they
have discovered that all that part of
the so-called Bristow report which re-
lateS to clerk hire was compiled under
General Wynne's direction, while all
that relative to the rental of buildings
was compiled by the postoffice inspec-
tors. Those representatives who have
not lost their heads have urged their
colleagues to be calm, but the hot-head-
ed are feeding on each others indigna-
ton. Investigations are to be ordered
and opportunity given representa-
tiveS to vindicate themselves.
Congress seems determined that the
country shall study the recent report
until it becomes familiar with its pro-
visions. If that outcome is a result
the protesting congressman are destined
to rude awakening. The report which
has set congress by the ears, if under
stood by the people, will reveal only
| facts which are well known in Wash
| ington, but which the public does not
comDrehend.
First-The report, If studied, will
show it came about That's George w.
Beavers and August w. Machen were
able to build a postoffice machine that
Il rHc-taf "a
over all opposition until Roosevelt be-
came president.
| Second-It will show how absurd are
congressional investigations where hall
the members of congress are under per
sonal obligations for favors.
| Third-It will show how reckless the
average representative is in increasing
the public expenditures and grabbing
graft for his constituents
Fourth-If the totals are footed and
compared with the total stealing OF
Beavers and Machen, the exhibit will
show that the increased allowances
| granted as favorS without warrant OF
law, not including the legitimate in
creases, are probably in excess of the
postoffice steals which have resulted ir
/ Machen, Lorenz, the Groffs and others
| being found guilty of conspiracy tt
plumber the government.
| 1t is unquestionably true that in ar
overwhelming majority of cases mem
bers of congress legitimately secured
increasing rentals and clerk hire. II
is equally true that in scores of in
stances the increases were secured as
rewards to political Heutenants. Each
representative mentioned will have tC
go before his constituents with an eX-
tplanation. If his visits to George w
Beavers were in behalf of constituent:
who had meritorious- cases it will be ne
difficult matter to satisfy the voters o.
his district, but If he has been caugh
red-handed in a game of grab. in al
probability there VIII be new public
servant chosen.
Word came from Lincoln, Neb, tina
Elmer J. Burkett, one of the most pop
ular members, whose honesty and in
tegrity had never been questioned haC
been denied an Endorsement by thu
League of Republican clubs in his stat
on the strength of the postoffice reve
lations, and this Intensified the feel
ing.
kilograms came by the hundreds
yesterday, and as the day wore on rep
resentatives became more bellicose anC
unruly. All kinds Of schemes were
Matched, and despite the fact tina
Bristow had nothing to do with th'
report, there was an understanding
reached that his bureau was to be dis
membere6.