The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-31
GORMAN REVIEWS HIS
DEMAND FOR INQUIRY
into POSTAL SCANDAL
Maryland Willy Democratic Sena-
tor Works Off Political
Capital Speech.
REPUBLICANS CRITICISED
For Alleged Intention to Adjourn
Congress Early to Meet the
Presidents Wishes.
REPUBLICANS CRITICISED

WASHINGTON. March 3O.-The Senate
to-day began consideration of the postoffice
appropriation bill, and it was the sig
nal for a revival of the Democratic
demand for an investigation into the
charges of corruption in the Postoflice De-
partment The debate was initiated by
Mr.. German, who spoke for almost two
hours in criticism of the course of the
Republican party in the Senate in refus-
ing an inquiry, at the same time charging
the postofice committee with undue haste
in reporting the bill. as he did the Repub-
ican party with desire to adjourn Con-
gress at an exceptionally early date in
order to meet the wishes of the President.
1T is said" Mr.. German declared, that
Congress must adjourn speedily; that from
that one source 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 likely to be disagree
able differences from what has already
been developed"
All the actions of those in authority had
supported this published report, showing
that Congress was proposing to surrender
to the mysterious power demanding ad-
journment. Going back to the civil war
and in face of Mr. Lincoln's greatness, he
said the Senate had insisted on investi-
eating the conduct of the war. After the
close of that war there had been much
corruption, and then the Republican ma
jority in the Senate did not hesitate to
authorize investigation. 49," he said,
''you may follow it through all administra-
tions to McKinley's, and there will be
found no denial of the right of the in
curry. Mckinley, he continued, was
only to afford opportunity for examination
of the conduct of the Spanish war. He
was wise and patriotic man and had
nothing to conceal" said Mr.. German.
land he knew that the honesty and fair
dealing of his administration should be
subject to examination. We have reached
a time when there is much preaching of
honesty and h-mindedness, but corrup-
ton bubbles out 1t came like fog and
has not yet lifted, and We cannot tell
whether all the information is yet out"
TO DIVERT ATTENTION.
Mr.. German said the charges made by
the Postoffice Department. he believed. had
been made for the purpose of diverting at
tention from the guilty ones who had
filched money from the treasury and
abused their trusts. AS for himself, he
was of opinion that members had not done
more in the matter than their public duties
required. In this connection Mr.. German
called attention to the habit of criticising
men engaged in legislative work and he
concluded that this criticism grew out of
well-directed effort to build up a one-man,
czar-like government.
So far indeed. had this plan progressed
that legislation has come to be practically
a farce, all important measures being die
tated by the executive. 1t was coming to
be that only an executive order was neces-
sary to get an appropriation.
THE power of patronage is great he
went on, 1.-The commissioner of pensions is
relieved and sent out of the country and
another man sent to Washington and given
a place. But that is not enough. The
pension roll is increased by executive order
to the extent of from S. 100000 to SIS, coo, CO.,
He (Gorman) had never made an objection
to liberal pensions. but his criticism was
that Congress was becoming mere record
ing sw body sra nou, told , ns confirmed .t,at
having approved the plans of the executive
we must adjourn and go home because Of
the fear of damaging disclosures. There
are matters which it is almost criminal not
allowed to stay" He then referred to some
of the pending legislation and included in
the list Mr.. Forakers bill for the amend
ment of the antitrust law regarding trans
portation. He referred to Attorney General
Knocks statement regarding this bill. say
ing that 1t was not departmental meas
ure. Think of it, said Mr.. German. No
tice is given to Congress that nothing
should be done in the way of legislation
without consulting the administration
Mr. Foraker said the attorney general
| had not given out this statement until
| challenged to do so by the Democratic press
| and that he (Foraker) had taken no ex-
! ception to this expression of his opinion
| though ordinarily he would consider it bet
| ter that an executive official should wait
| until legislation should reach him in the
regular regular; order OF business. Since the recent
so sure that the legislation intended by the
| bill was necessary.
ANTITRUST LAW.
This remark, Mr.. German retorted, was
| the utterance of a true soldier in the ranks
| Discussing the antitrust law and Mr..
| Foraker's amendment. Mr.. German said the
! effect of the law was to require the publ
cation of rates like those given by Mr..
! Hill on his transcontinental oceanic lines
| with the result that competing nations got
| the information. Amendment. therefore,
| was necessary and Mr.. Foraker's bill had
been intended to meet that demand But
| with this. as with other matters of legis-
| lation, said Mr.. German, the executive in
/ terferes and. notwithstanding the need for
| legislation, the mysterious order is sent
| out that Congress must adjourn without
| taking up the question. How long," he
| asked ARE we 10 submit to such a sys-
| temp" The idea was. he said, that all should
| be left in the hands of the executive and
| that nothing should be done until after
| tinued. the law would be suspended and
| the matter controlled by executive order
| with the result that trade conditions would
| be so disturbed that the farmers of the
| Northwest would go in enormous bodies TO
| the country across the line.
| The American people do not want one
| man control he contended, but they would
| have the law itself changed and then would
| have the law obeyed. He hoped that such
| action would be taken would prevent
| one-mah control in the next four years
! whosoever might fill the White House II
was not enough to say that the President
was honest. for honest men are not rare
Occasionally dishonest man may Greer
| in. but he is soon disposed Of" said Mr.
| German Judgment and good discretion
/ also were necessary in the conduct of pulb-
| lie AFFAIRS Ii was not much question
| of the honesty of the chief executive or
his immediate advisers. Mr. German said
he did not hold Mr. Roosevelt or his Cabi-
net officers responsible for the "thieyery
| in the department.
Mr. Clay contended that there should he
| a congressional inquiry. saying that the
| charges against Mr.. Heath, ex-first assist
ant postmaster general, were such as to
| demand investigation.
Mr.. Penrose and Mr.. Lodge spoke for the
| Republican side of the chamber defend.
ing the committee on postoffices agains,
the charge of haste and also the admins
tration. Mr.. Lodge contended that con.
gress could not make an inquiry that would
be as thorough as that already made b,
the Postoffice Department. He charged the
Democratic attack TO a desire to find 2
political issue. Mr.. Scott quoted District
Attorney Beach and Assistant Attorne,
General Robb as saying that there was no