The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-15

aid Mr.. Burleson, OF Texas, who fol-
lowed Mr.. Finley. has done a great
wrong to members on both sides Of the
House" Somebody, he declared. was
responsible for it.. 1T was prepar-
ed for a purpose" he warmly stated.
Inc man who is responsible for IL, the
postmaster general. he said, was APP
preached by the press for an explana-
ton What did he do?" he inquired.
Why" he said. ''he made light Of st
and spoke jestingly of it. and when
further questioned, laughed"
The postoffice department, he said,
"reeked with rottenneSs and was steep
ed in corruption?" The purpose Of the
postmaster general, he said. was to in
volve honorable men of both parties
'fn this scandalous transaction" and
thereby intimidate them from moving
further in what the American people
are demanding.
Mr.. Clayton, OF Alabama, was unspar-
ing in his criticism of Postmaster Cen
eral Payne. to whom he referred as
that distinguished imbecile who hap
pens to be postmaster general OF the
United States" Mr.. Clayton spoke of
the Tulloch charges and the light way
in which Postmaster General Payne
treated them. When pressed for infor-
nation, he said, the postmaster general,
that distinguished specimen of asin-
Unity" characterized the Tulloch
charges as hot air" The inquiry had
e pursued. he vehemently declared.
not by virtue Of the efforts Of Postmas-
ter General Payne and President Roose-
welt, but in response to a demand of the
press. He closed with a bitter personal
attack on Postmaster General Payne
and referred to him as "a Mr.. HOt-Air
man" and a Mr.. Horse-Laughter Man
who had been publicly congratulated
by the President for the distinguished
service he rendered the country in Sc
curing the conviction of Machen and his
confederates."
Nc less vigorous in his denunciation
Of the report and Of the department was
MI. Swanson, Of Virginia, who insisted
that every member of the House.,
whether he was mentioned in the re-
port or not, owes it to himself and
should insist upon the fullest investiga-
ton OF the Dostoff1ce department. The
whole amount involved he said. repre-
The department. he said, cannot Shirk
its duty and he attributed as the reaso
for the report a desire of the depart
ment Ito muddy the waters"
Mr.. Small. of North Carolina. advc-
Gated an investigation of the whole
postofflce department, saying that MI.
Hill, Of Connecticut, had declared that
was oIl Id dllu SCOullOIS I
there. 1t was barely possible, he believ-
ed. that there was more liars and
thieves" there than had been uncovered.
II. a Democrat, serving my first term
in Congress. am charged with exercis-
ing undue influence with officials of the
postoffice department. was the state
ment of Mr.. Pou. OF North Carolina,
and the House laughed. He was willing
to sit during the entire summer if nee
essary to go to the bottom of the mat
ter.
William Alden Smith, of Michigan,
next took the floor. and ~fervently de-
livered himself of his views concerning
the report.
II d~enounce this report he said. las
a voluntary and gratuitous insult, by
a great executive department of this
government"
That department had undertaken vol
UNFAIRLY to cast a stigma upon "this
great chamber of the people. 1t has
gone out of its way to keep facts back.
which should have been given ne con
tinued. He then threw the House into
a state of wild excitement. Men OF the
highest character, he declared. had teer
assailed by the report, among them the
Speaker of the House himself. II hope
that the day is not far distant, when
with the general consent of the Ameri-
lean people. the speaker will be lifted to
the executive office"
The scene which followed this remark
was almost in9escribable. The entire
membership of the House wildly cheer
ed. The echoes had not died out. when
there was mother outburst of yelling,
screaming and cries OF Hear" Hear"
Speaker Cannon in the meantime was
vigorously rapping for order.
Many members explained their con-
nection with the p~ostoffice report, and
several were granted leave to extend
inSf remarks in the record.
N recommendation of the committee
to lay the Hay resolution on the table
vas read. Mr.. Moon proposed a sub
stitute, providing for the investigation
Of the entire postoffice department by
a committee of five members of the
House. Against this Mr.. Overstreet
raised a point Of order. Mr.. Williams
then briefly reviewed the remarks
which had been made. and said hat an
investigation of the postoffice depart
ment apparently was not desired, be
cause it has been thought best for the
Republican party" Members, he said,
a arisen and not only had charged.
but had proved that the postoffice de-
partment was guilty of suppression Of
letters and of documents. ard he added
suppression of the truth"
Speaker Cannon sustained the point
of order against the Moon resolution.
Then followed the appeal from the
decision of the chair, the tablirg of the
Hay resolution and the passage of the
Mccall resolution.
Mr.. Williams then offered a resolution
providing for the appointment OF a
committee OF five members OF the
House TO investigate the conduct and
administration OF the postoffice depart
ment.
Mr.. Payne demanded the regular or
der and made a motion to adjourn.
which was carried.
The House thereupon at ga, adjourn
ed until tomorrow.
CA9ToREA