The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-03-31
GORMAN SHARPLY CRITIClZES COURSE
OF REPUBLICAN, PARTY IN THE SENATE
Renews Demand for an Investigation of the Charges
of Corruption in the Postofflce Department and
Opposes an Early Adjournment Of Congress

conduct of affairs, has deemed it best
to bring about an early adjournment If
it can be done. So far as 1 am aware
there have been no instructions received
from anybody in any quarter. 1t was
not on. this side of the chamber that
the expression cuckoo originated That
word is chargeable to the Senator frem
Alabama and applied to his side Of the
chamber"
Lodge declared that the Democrats
had criticized the early meeting of Con-
gress and now was criticizing the pros
pect of early adjournment. 1t could not
possibly be that their vain efforts to
secure campaign issue after their fail
ure to secure it in the efforts already
made by the navy and pensions could
be a new departure. Nor was it reason
able to believe that such an opportunity
was wanted to review the antitrust
law, in view of Cleveland's explanation
that he had failed for want of time
to put the antitrust law in force while
he was in office.
Sc far as the postoffice investigation
was concerned Lodge said no general
inquiry was necessary after the ex-
cellent work done by Bristow and his
corps of trained detectives.
TAKES ISSUE WITH LODGE.
Clay took issue with Lodges state
ment that the Democratic party had
opposed the called session of Congress
last fall. On the contrary, he said, the
opposition had come from the Repub-
lican party. He charged that the early
adjournment of Congress was sought
to prevent the opening of the books
and the getting at of the truth. He
declared that if Bristow's accusations
against ex-First Assistant Postmaster
General Heath were correct he was
as guilty as Machen. He was pro-
ceeding with mentioning Heath speci-
fically, when Mallory interrupted to
ask If he meant the present First AS
sistant Postmaster General. Clay re-
piled that he did not, that the meant
the ex-First Assistant Postmaster
General. not wynne, whom I esteem
most highly as an upright man."
Cay referred to the charges against
Heath In the matter Of the employ
ment Of j. H. Livingstone, o. H. Smith
and M. w. Louis. superintendent of
supplies. saying that the charges had
been made that Heath had escaped in
dictment only because of the statute
of limitations.
Scott read a letter from Assistant
Attorney General Robb of the Post
office Department, saying that the evil
dence did not warrant the indictment
of Heath
Clay replied by saying that Scott was
the only champion of Heath that had
appeared on the floor of the Senate.
and Scott replied that it was Mr.. Robb
and not himself who was the cham
pion.
Then" responded Clay, "he has not
a single champion here to defend him."
Scott-Accordtng to Mr.. Robbs state
ment, he does not need any defense.
CHARGES AGAINST HIM.
Clay replied by giving the details
of the employment of Mr.. Louis as
superintendent of supplies for the
Postoffice Department, which he said
had been accomplished by Heath by
first appointing Louis as cashier in the
Kansas City postoffice and then hav-
ing him proceed with the work here
without ever having seen the Kansas
City postoffice Heath. he said, had
been anxious to secure a man in SYM
pathy with himself in the purchase of
supplies, and the appointment to Kan
sas City had been made because of
Louis inability to pass the civil ser
vice examination. Reviewing Louis
career in the department, Clay said
that he had increased prices paid for
supplies from 20 to IS per cent
'All this said Clay, lis interesting.
You may pick on Bristow if you wish,
but he has done a work that l appre-
ciate.'
He then proceeded to give specific
instances of the charges against Louis.
including in them the one that he had
ceased buying good ink at 16 cents a
pound, and instead had contracted to
pay 80 cents. Nor would he concede.
he added, as Scott suggested, that this
had been done because the 16-cent ink
was not adapted to the purpose to
which it was put.
He urged an investigation as the
only method of determining the truth
Of the charges made. The President,
Bristow and Messrs. Conrad and Bona
parte had all said that Heath should
be investigated, and he thought they
should be taken at their word If Bris-
lows charges against Heath were not
true they constituted a SANDER, and
Heath should have the right to defend
himself against them.
Scott said 1t had never been his pur-
pose to believe a man guilty until he
had been proven to be, although Heath
may be all the Senator from Georgia
had charged him Myth He read from
statement by M Beaqh. attorney for
the District of Columbia. to the effect
that all of the evidence was before
the Grand Jury, and that it was re-
garded as insufficient to warrant the
Indictment of Heath.
The Senate at $40 p. m. went into
executive session, and at BIS ad-
journed.
Foss Explains His Arbitration Bill.
WASHINGTON, March 3O.-Arbi-
tration, as proposed in the Foss bill,
drawn by Volny w. Foss of Chi