Evening star., 1904-03-24
Another Attempt to Investi-
gate Post Office Department.
CAUSED BITTER FIGHT
PROPORTION RULED OUT OH A
POINT OF ORDER.
Decision Of the Chair Appealed From,
but Sustained by Solid Re-
publican Vote.


The proposition to investigate the Post
Office Department by special congress
sionai committee was again brought for
ward In the House of Representatives this
afternoon and was not disposed of until
there had been a display Of bitter PARTISAN
ship between the republican and democrat
ic leaders. Representative John Sharp Will
liams of Mississippi, the leader of the
minority, offered an amendment to the
postal appropriation bill providing for the
investigation. Chairman Overstreet of the
post Office committee Immediately made a
point of order against the amendment on
the ground that it was new legislation and
had no place in an appropriation Dill.
Representative Boutelle, in the chair, sus-
tanned the point. Thereupon Mr.. Williams
moved to overrule the decision Of the chair.
Then followed one of the bitterest de-
bates of the session. Mr. Williams con-
Quoted the fight on the part of the demo-
Gratis, while on the republican side Rep
resentativeS GroSvenor of Ohio, Cooper OF
Wisconsin and Payne of New York en-
gagged in the debate. 49,.
The appeal from the decision of the
chair was not sustained, the solid repub-
lican vote going against the motion.
The vote was 133 to 80.
The Post Office Bill.
Consideration of the post office appropria-
ton bill was resumed when the House met
today. Mr.. Robinson Qnd) attacked the
appropriation of $4,000 for carrying the
malls from San Francisco to the Island Of
Tahiti and offered an amendment to strike
il from the bill. He referred to previous
appropriations. and said the item had been
inserted by "a fine Italian hand undis-
closed" No one knew of it's birth, he said,
which led him to believe this appropria-
tion has been sneaked through Congress in
a cowardly manner" The Island of Tahiti,
he asserted, stood like a pin head in the
Pacific.
Mr.. Overstreet chairman of the post office
committee. declared that the item was not
strange, and that 1t clearly came within
the provisions of the mail subsidy act. to
promote commerce between the United
States and countries or people who have no
direct mail connection with the United
States. The trade of Tahiti and nearby
islands, he said, justified the appropriation.
the United States buying annually s400cOO
worth of goods.
Messrs. Cromer Qnd) and Sherley KyJ
supported the amendment. Mr.. Livernash
(Cal) strongly opposed it, saying that the
Oceanic Steamship Company. company
most liberal in the employment of white
lahorers as against Chinese, should not be
embarrassed in an attempt to enlarge its
usefulness. The amendment, he said, was
a blow at the white sailors of the Pacific.
provision was stricken from the bill.
Mr.. Scott CKan.) criticised the Post OfHce
Department for its pernicious policy o.
pc sternalispl," in permitting contractors fur
nishing stamped envelopes ana newspaper
wrappers to print the names of individuals,
firms and corporations on the return
cards on stamped envelopes. At present,
he said, the government was competitor
of the local printer all over the country:
He offered an amendment to correct what
he termed the abuse.
The amendment was opposed by MreLaw-
renee (Mass-).
ment because he said it would not affect
the price paid the contractor whether the
return card was printed or not
point of order against the amendment
was sustained.
To Investigate Department.
With a view to securing a complete In
vestigation of the Post Office Department.
Mr. Williams (Miss.). the minority leader,
offered an amendment to the bill providing
for the appointment of a joint select COM
mttee of eight. five members and three
senator's Ito exercise all functions neces-
sary to a complete investigation of all
frauds and irregularities alleged to exist
in said department..
Mr.. Overstreet promptly made point of
order against the amendment because II
was not germane and was new legislation.
which the chair sustained.
Mr. Williams appealed to Mr.. Overstreet
to withdraw his point of order, which Mr..
Overstreet refused to do.
Then the gentleman has perfectly
strong heart said Mr.. Williams. He
stands in between this investigation of the
Post ONCE Department by Congress with
his point of order"
Thereupon Mr.. Williams appealed from
the decision of the chair, which brought
from Mr.. Overstreet an appeal to the House
to uphold the chair. To do otherwise, he
said would be reflection upon the chair
and dignity of the House.
Mr.. Williams inquired: What does mis-
erable little rule of the House amount to
when you consider 1t is the only obstruc
tion lying between you and righteousness
far greater than the Righteousness of a
technical decision?
He declared that the very essence and
soul of good government is honesty In the
pu lie service and economy of public ad-
Ininistration.
1.-The only way we can secure honesty
in the Post Office Department" he con-
iinued, "is either by the gentleman with
drawing his point of order or by the House
marching over the point bodily" He was
loudly applauded by his colleagues on the
democratic side.