The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-03-31
AGAIN DEMAND
INVESTIGATION
DEMOCRATS OF THE SENATE
WANT THE PROBE APPLIED TO
POsTOFFICE AFFAIRS.

Senator German Led the Debate,
which Was Upon the Postofiice
Appropriation BiII--Criticised the
Policy of the Republicans i'm Re-
fusing to Permit nm investigation.
Says the Department. Is Honey
cOmbed with Corruption.
Washington, March S0.-The Senate
to-day began consideration of the post
Office appropriation bill and it was the
signal for a revival of the Democratic
demand for an investigation into the
charges of corruption in the Postoffice
Department.
The debate was initiated by Mr.. Cor
man, who spoke for almost two hours
in criticism of the course of the Repub-
lican party in the Senate in refusing an
inquiry. Mr.. German referred to the
hasty consideration and report of the
bill and asserted that there had been
persistent denial of the privilege Of in
vestigation of the affairs of the POST
office Department. He urged that it
was not yet too late to take steps to
prevent further robbery and thievery
in the department"
Tt is said" he went on, that Con-
gress must adjourn speedily; that from
one source a request amounting to
orders has gone out; that it is incon-
venient for one branch of government
to have Congress on its hands; that If
there is delay there are likely to be dis
agreeable differences from what has al
ready been developed.
I'VE have reached a time when there
is much preaching of honesty and high
mindedness, but corruption bubbles out.
1t came like a fog and has not yet
lifted, and we cannot tell whether all
the information is yet out"
Mr.. German referred to the charges
made by the Postoffice Department,
saying he believed they had been made
for the purpose of diverting attention
from the guilty ones who had flched
money from the treasury and abused
their trusts. AS for himself, he was Of
the opinion that members had not done
more IN the matter than their public
duties required. Mr.. German called at
tention to the habit of criticising men
engaged in legislative work, and he
concluded that this criticism grew out
Of well directed effort to buid up
one-man, Czar-like government.
Dictated by President.
So far, indeed. had this plan pro-
crossed that legislation has come to
be practically farce, all important
measures being dictated by the execu-
tive. 1t was coming to be that only
an executive order was necessary to
get an appropriation. The result is
that Congress becomes a mere record
ing body
I'VE are now told" he continued.
that having approved the plans of
the executive, we must adjourn and go
home because of the fear of damaging
disclosures. The fear is SO great that
we are to be sent away and not to
be allowed to do anything"
He then referred to some of the pend
ing legislation, and included In the list
Mr.. Foraker's bill for the amendment
Of the antitrust law regarding trans
portation. He referred to Attorney
General Knox's statement regarding
this bill, saying that II was not de-
partmental measure. Think of it,"
said Mr.. German, notice is given to
Congress that nothing should be done
In the way of legislation without con-
sulting the administration"
The American people do not want
one-man control, Mr.. German con-
tended. He hoped that such action
would be taken as would prevent one
man control in the next four years,
whosoever might fill the White House.
Mr.. German closed with the declara-
ton of the conviction that the POstof-
flee Department was "honeycOmbed
with corruption and inefiiciency."
Mr.. Penrose, chairman Of the Com
mittee on Postohices, said that while
he had originally favored an inyesti-
CATION, he had now reached the con-
clusion that none was necessary.
Denies Extraordinary Haste.
Mr.. Penrose challenged the accuracy
OF MIR. Germans statement that ex-
traordinary haste had been exercised
by the Committee on POstoffices In the
preparation OF the bill. The subject
matter OF the measure had been receiv-
ing attention. he said, since last De-
ccmber.
Mr. Lodge sustained M. Ponrose's
statement that there had been no un-
due haste IN bringing the pOatOffice bin
into the senate. II was true that the
committee had done al in lts power 20
promote an early adjournment. The
party IN power" be proceeded. has
deemed II best 70 bring about an early
adjournment n Il could be- done -
far AZ I am aware there have been no
Instructions received from anybody ln
any quarter. n wac NOT on this slide