The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-07
POst0flce Irregularities Occupies
Time Of the Senate
HEATH CONSIDERED GUILTY
Democrats object to Having the Mat
ter Referred to the Committee
on Postoffices and
Post Roads.

idrllleS III lne poStoHlce department con-
stituted the only theme in the senate to-
day. The question came up on motion
first made by Mr.. Lodge, and afterward
by Mr.. Penrose to refer the Carmack res
olution looking to a senatorial investiga-
tion of the postoffice department to the
committee on postoffices and postroads
The democratic members resisted the
motion, and contended that the country
would not be satisfied with an investlga-
ton OF department made by the de-
partment itself. Mr.. Carmack charged
that Postmaster General Payne had been
luke warm at the beginning OF the in
quiry and Mr.. Spooner replied in defense
of that official.
Mr.. Clay said that the tenor Of the
Bristow report had convinced him that
Mr.. Bristow considered former First AS
sistant Postmaster General Heath more
guilty than any one else connected with
the postoffice Irregularities.
When the senate met today. Mr. Nor
gan's resolution declaring that the Presi-
dent has no power to declare war was
read. but at the request of Morgan, 1t
went over for the day.
The resolution of Mr.. Carmack, direct
ing the postmaster general to send to the
senate the papers connected with the post
office department Irregularities and pro-
viding for a senatorial investigation, was
taken up, and Mr.. Lodge moved its refer
ence to the committee on postoffices.
Mr. carmack resisted this motion, de-
claring that If the departmental irregu-
a rifles fa he Inv iUat ad onlu lnty
the department themselves, 1t would not
be long until there would be stencil in
the nostris of the people.
The only safeguard was in congression-
al investigation, he said.
He mentioned a number Of such inquir-
les which had brought out important
facts and ordered that the inquiry be per-
mitted.
Would Make Thorough investigations.
Mr.. Teller expressed the opinion that
the postoffice department would make a
thorough investigation, put contended
that the legislative branch should retain
the right to make an inquiry. Mr.. Lodge
did not believe that an investigation
should be entered upon until the matter
had been inquired into by committee.
Mr.. Clay expressed surprise that there
should be opposition to the resolution and
he called attention to the declarations by
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow and Councillors Bonaparte and
Conrad that the investigation should be
carried further He declared that the
Bristow report demonstrates the abso-
Lutte guilt of the late first assistant post
master general Mr.. Heath. Mr.. Bristow
Gays himself that this leading official was
guilty and the proof overwhelming. II
this is true, Mr.. Heath should have been
| Ind tad 7 r1,f1l do Mr. priu ha Cradtt
to say that his report shows that the
frauds OF the postoffice department orig
mated in Heath's office. II SO, he must
have had cognizance OF them. Then
why should subordinates In that office be
indicted and the principal allowed to es-
cape?'
Mr.. Clay quoted extracts from the Bris-
t2w report to substantiate his argument.
referring especially to the purchase Of
cash registers In which connection Mr..
-3ristow said that the element of fraud
could not be eliminated. IT. he said,
this report speaks the truth. Perry
Heath originated all the frauds In his Of
flee. If the report Is not correct, the fact
should be known and Mr.. Heath vindicat-
ed. If the charges are well founded. Mr..
Heath should be indicted and punished"
Did Not Want to Do Injustice.
AS for himself, he did not want to do
any injustice to Mr.. Heath or others, and
for this reason he desired the investiga-
ton.
Reference was also made to the nego-
tiations with d. S. Richardson concern
ing the Montague Indicator, In which Mr..
Clay said there were many suspicious
features pointing to Mr.. Heath.
Mr.. Clay declared his conviction from a
thorough reading of the Bristow report
that Mr.. Bristow had been satisfied be-
yond doubt that the guiltiest party of
all was the retired first assistant post
master general mad yet he has never
been indicted or arrested.
I'm the interest of fair play--in the in
terest of justice-in the interest of good
government and clean administration"
ne said, there should be an inquiry and
am surprised that my friend, the sena-
tor from Massachusetts, Mr.. Lodge. should
object
Mr.. Clay also declared that the Presi-
dent reflected seriously upon Mr.. Heath
and desired the retirement of Mr.. Heath
from the secretaryship of the republican
national committee.
Mr.. Penrose, chairman of the commit
tee on postoffices and postroads, express
ed his wish that there should be an in
vestigation but added that inasmuch that
there was disagreement as to the phrase
UiOBy, ne pTeIeFTtu W ndfc tHc citli .
question referred to the committee on
postroads, pledging himself to call an
early meeting for the purpose Of taking
up the question.
Mr.. Teller said that If for no other rea-
son than that criminal charges were
made against senators and members Of
the house of representatives an investi-
cation should be made. Later he spoke
of the newspaper reports that a lease
of postoffice building which was owned
by the United States senator, and also
quoted the press reports saying that the
postoffice department had explained that
the lease in this case had been because
the senator's building could be secured
at a lower price than any other
That Is Most Astounding.
That" he said lis most astounding.
When did the postmaster general or the
President. for that matter, get the right
to suspend the statute forbidding this
practice?"
Mr.. Foraker interrupted Mr.. Teller to
say that 1t was his understanding that
The lease Of the building under consider
(continued on Second Paqe)