New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-07
POSTAL FIGHT IN SENATE.
4 SPIRITED DEB1TE.
Lodge, Sp0oner and Foraker Repel
Democratic assaults.
IFRoAs THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

vantage Of yesterday by SIN further confusing
the Democratic leader. Mr.. German. and giving
the Maryland Senator a bad quarter OF an hour.
Il truly sorry that the few humorous re-
marks which I permitted myself in speaking
about the Democratic party yesterday. so an
noyed the Senator from Maryland" said Senator
Lodge, replying to a partisan attack by the
Democratic leader. Then he added: But sup
pose Senator German cannot bear TO hear me
make fun OF the last Democratic President. Mr..
Cleveland IN the burst OF laughter which fol
lowed the sally. Senator German resumed his
seat and took no further part in the debate.
In the absence Of more important business the
Democrats were attempting TO make political
capital out OF the numerous resolutions provid-
ing for an investigation Of the Postoflce Depart
ment which they have introduced and out Of
the Penrose resolution calling for the dOcu-
rnents In the postal investigation. The inten-
ton OF the Democrats was made clear by Mr..
Lodge. when he pointed out that Senator Cor
mans resolution provided that the proposed in
vesttgation must be completed by next May.
''Of course. it Is not TO be supposed" said
Mr.. Lodge, that that date had any reference
TO the coming election because We all know
that this is proposed by the Senator from Mary
land simply In the interests OF the public ser
vice and for the honor Of the country and the
administration
After pointing out the futility Of inyestiga-
lions by Congress. as demonstrated by the In
Quiries into the conduct Of Nachen. conducted,
respectively. by the House and the Senate, Mr..
Lodge said: "All that has been done has been
done by a Republican President and Repub-
ncan Postmaster General II Is who have
probed Il TO the bottom and carried It back
through more than one administration of Demo-
cratic reform. IN one OF which we find that
Machen originated"
Senator Teller followed Senator Lodge, and
Senator Carmack INTERCEPTED reference to
Postmaster General Payne's famous hot air"
interview. which brought Senator Spooner to
his feet After saying that he would discuss
that phase OF the situation at length hereafter,
Mr.. Spooner addressed himself expressly to Mr..
TeIer's remarks, and succeeded in eliciung from
the Colorado Senator q denunciation of caucus
rule and an emphatic declaration that he, for
one, would never be bound by the majority
vote Of any caucus" Having accomplished this.
Senator Spooner resumed his seat
When the resolution Of Mr.. Carmack direct
ing the Postmaster General 10 send to the Sem
ate the papers connected with the Postoface De
partment irregularities and providing for an
investigation b. the Senate was taken UP. Mr..
Lodge moved that Il be referred to the Com
n!ttee on Postoflces
Mr.. Carmack resisted this motion, declaring
that IL departmental irregularities were TO be
investigated only by the departments them
selves It would not be long until they would be
"a stencil in the nostrils OF the people" The
only safeguard was in an investigation by Con-
gress he said. He mentioned a number Of such
inquiries which had brought out important
facts, and urged that the inquiry be permitted.
Mr.. Teller expressed the opinion that the Post
office Department would make 6 thorough in
vestigation, but contended that the legislative
branch should retain the right to make IN
quiry.
Mr. Lodge did not believe that an investiga-
ton should be begun until the matter had been
!. inquired into by a committee.
PERRY S. HEATTFs CONDUCT.
Mr.. Clay expressed surprise that there should
be any opposition 10 the resolution and called
attention TO the declarations by Fourth Assist
ant Postmaster General Bristol and Afessrs.
Bonaparte and Conrad that the investigation
should be carried further. He declared that the
Br1stow report demonstrates the absolute guilt
OF the late First Assistant Postmaster General,
Mr.. Heath. He QBristow) says himself that this
leading high official was guilty and the proof
is overwhelming. II this is true. Mr.. Heath
should have been indicted VIII DO Mr. Bristow
the credit TO say that hts report shows that the
frauds Of the Postof1ce Department originated
nfzanoe OF them Then why should the subor-
oinates IN that office be indicted and the princi-
pal be allowed TO escapeP'
MI. Clay quoted extracts from the Br,stov re-
port TO suhstantiate his argument referring
especially to the purchase Of cash registers. in
which Mr. BristOw said that the element Of
fraud could not be eliminated ''If" he said
''this report speaks the truth Perry Heath origt-
mated all the frauds in his Office II the report
Is not correct the fact should be known and Mr.
Heath vindicated- II the charges are we'll
founded, Ar. Heath should be indicted and
punished- As for himself he did not want to
do any injustice TO Mr.. Heath or others, and for
this reason he desired the investigation.
Reference also made to the negotiat jons
with D. s. Richardson concerning the Montague
indicator, in which Ar. Clay said there were
many suspicious features pointing TO Mr. Heath.
Mr.. Clay declared his conviction from a thor
ough reading OF the Bristow report that MI
Bristow had been satisfied beyond a doubt that
the guiltiest party Of ell was the retired First
Assistant Postmaster General yet he had never
been indicted or arrested. In the interest Of
fair play. in the interest OF justice in the in
terest OF good government and clean administra-
tion," he said. there should be an inquiry and
! am surprised that my friend the Senator from
Massachusetts Odr. LODGE should object" Afr.
Clay also declared that the President had re-
fected seriously Mr.. Heath. and had desired
the retirement OF MIR. Heath from the secretary
chip OF the Republican National Committee
Mr.. Clay careful to say that he intended
no reflection on Mr. Wynne. the present First
Assistant Postmaster General. On the contrary,
he took pains to speak IN high terms Of Mr.
wynne saying that he had given material as
sistsnce IN the inquiry