The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-03-17
SHARP TALK IN CONGRESS
rlembers Oct Warm Over the POST
office Investigation Hatter.


Representatives will result from the
publication Of tie report involving
members Of Congress in that con-
nection was indicated by every eX-
preston possible shcrt Of vote in
that body. With a whirlwind of pro-
test the report was taken up by in
dignant members, their personal con-
nection with it explained, and cpl
thets hurled at Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Brlstow.
THE Bristow report was conceived
in iniquity, born in sin, and has traT-
eled it's course until it has struck the
public Of the United States as
great attack upon a body of men as
free from wrong-doing, corruption.
crime and irrcgularity as any equal
number Of men on the face Of the
earth" This was the parting shot
of Representative Grosvenor. of Ohio,
in paying his tribute to the report.
That document is the production
of a liar and a scoundrel," shouted
Representative Hill. of Connecticut,
on making an explanation OF his con-
nection with Certain leases. He add
ed that he should vote to investigate
himself. and also the Fourth Assls-
tant Postmaster General. There Is
nothing In any of it to impugn any
improper motive or conduct upon any
member Of the House. was the ex.
preston o. Chairman Overstreet, OF
the committee who combatted the
idea of an Investigation.
Mr.. Williams, the Democratic lead
er. urged an investigation OF the
whole Postofice Department, and re-
ceived the hearty applause OF bota
sides of the House and the galleries
which had filed during the discus
sion. It was soon found that the two
hours which had been allotted to the
subject was not going to pc near
enough time for the personal explain
at!ons which members were demand
ing the right to make, and motlon
to extend the debate until four O'CLOCK
tomorrow was carried with vim.
Mr.. Oyerstreet proposed a postpone
ment of the discussion until Monday
in order to give the members more
time. Mr.. Hay. of Virginia: Finley.
of South Carolina, and others opposed
postponement.
Mr.. Hepburn, Republican, OF Iowa,
said that any investigation OF the
Postofice Department would not
elicit any facts not brought out by
the committee report. i say tnat
an investigation would elicit furtner
facts. and that these facts have peen
suppressed" retorted William Alden
Smith, amid loud applause from the
floor and galleries.
Mr. Williams said he wanted the
corruption in the Postoffice Depart
ment to be investigated. not by the
friends of the men who have Deen
yuiltv of corruptions but by the House
OF Representatives.
As to tho Hay resolution, Mr. Will
liams said it did not touch the ques'
lion that somebody at the Po5tomce
Department has somehow included ID
the report the name of man after man
In the House of Representatives and
in the Senate, guilty Of no apparent
wrong, guilty of no violation OF any
law. guilty OF no moral obliquity' gull
ty of nothing that bears even tnc
| lingo of criminality.'
what was the motive OF IT, he
vigorously inquired Wasn't II 10
give the Congress notice that the De
partment held something over Con-
gress and that Congress had better
let the Department alone?' he inquir-
ed his words being drowned by ap-
plause from both sides.
Mr.. Hay, of Virginia, said he did not
altogether agree with Mr.. Williams.
Il believe there ought to be an inves'
| tie,tion of the Postoffice Department.
snd along with it an investigation OF
.hese charges against members.
M:. Cooper. of Wisconsin. declared
irat President Roosevelt had directed
the prosecution of members OF his
| own party.
Mr.. Moon. OF Tennessee, facing the
| Republican side. said: These thieves
being yours and not ours, it IS for
you. not for us. to say II they shall
haye yonr protection"
Mr.. Underwood. of Alabama. said
that mo man who is innocent is
afraid to face such charges as these.
But" he said, If man is guilty he
ought to be required to appear before
the bar Of the House"
Mr.. Overstreet then withdrew his
motion to postpone. and the House
proceeded to discuss the resolution.
Mr.. Overstreet, referring to the rec
concentrations made by member OK
Congress, said that there was in no
instance any violation of any law
whatever by any member CT Congress
in making any recommendation. eth
er for increase Of clerk hire allow
ance or increase Of rent Of postofiice
buildings.
"The resolution proposes an investi-
CATION by five members OF this body"
he said, whereas committee Of sew
enteen members representing an
equal number Of States, Of both par
ties in politics, which has already had
before it in a proper way this infor.
nation, has unanimously reported TO
the House that there is no need for
further investigation"
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