The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-08
ties in the postoffice department had
shown an inefficiency in the administra-

ties in the postoff1ce department had
shown an ineficiency in the administra-
ton.
Ar. Spooner said there could not be
any disputing the fact that inefficiency
had been shown, and that IL was begun
in the Cleveland administration.
Mr.. German said be was willing TO
have all the resolutions calling for in
vestigations of the postoffice depart
ment referred to the committee on post
office and postroads as he had r5ce we'd
assurances from the chairman that
prompt action would be taken. In this
connection. however, he said, he wanted
to call attention 10 the fact that all Of
the debate on this subject had but en-
phasized the necessity for an investi-
cation of the postoffice department He
said he had no desire to investigate
any particular officer; that he believ-
ed the investigation should be much
broader than that, as the irregula Il
ties had crept in by degrees and their
corruption possibly had been a part of
three or more administrations. 1t has
now reached a point, where men who
are corrupt themselves have disclosed
the corruption Of others My purpose"
he added, lis not SO much to expose
this corruption as by the action of Con-
gress in making protective laws to
eliminate the chance of such corruption
in the future in the postoffice depart
ment"
Mr.. Spooner asked if Mr.. German
would not be willing to supplement
that suggestion by calling upon con-
gress for a thorough investigation Of
all departments at stated periods.
Mr.. German answered that he would
be willing to make the change, but for
the present he was content to deal with
the question in hand. Continuing he
declared that the corruption was not
a party matter; that the present post
master general could not have been re-
sponsible for the state of affairs in his
department, as it started before he en-
tered upon his duties at the head OF the
department.
A severe denunciation of the charge
of suppression of information was
made by MIR. Lodge, who sad that ne
was thoroughly tired Of that old weak
ened story which had been made Owe
and over again by Senators on the 9TH
er side of the chamber. He said it is
quite true that the Republicans had
nearly two-thirds of the members OF
the Senate and that he wanted to in
form the other side that they were
thoroughly responsible for their con-
duct of affairs and that as they were
responsible they proposed to conduct
their affairs in their own way. Con-
tinuing he said: I'VE are not afaird
Of day light; we are not afraid of the
Senator from Maryland and least OF all
we are not afraid of that Old time
worn story of suppression of public in
formation
After some further coloquy between
Messrs. Spooner and Teller over eau
Gus control of party action in the Sen
ate an agreement was reached to post
pone further discussion of the postoffice
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF PRESENTATIVES. =
Washington, January 6-The only
measure considered in the House today
was a bill introduced by the delegate
from Hawaii to ratify an act Of the
Hawaiian Legislature to authorize the
manufacture and distribution of EXC
tric light and power on the island CT
Oahu, territory Of Hawaii. which came
up for consideration under call Of ccm-
mittees. Owing to objections made to
the bill in the form presented it was
to the committee On terri-
tories. Reference was made by Mr..
Robinson to the absence OF Delegate
Kathanianaole. saying the committee
was embarrassed on that account.