The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-08

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE0
filed to-day Democratic. as well as Repub-
lican, members are mentioned by General
Bristow.
SCHEME OF DEMOCRATS.
Having failed in this effort to make hay
for use in the coming campaign, the Demo
Gratis now propose to take another tack.
They now propose to make an attempt to
secure the passage of a resolution calling
for a full investigation of the Postofice
Department. This is opposed by the adj
ministration and by Republicans in Con-
gress In advance of trial In the courts of
all the men indicted result of the
postal inquiry.
The postoffice case introduced in the
House to-day by Mr.. Overstreet. chairman
of the committee on postoffices and post
roads, who submitted the report of that
committee on the Hay resolution calling
for certain information regarding the use
OF influence" by members of the House
TO secure increase in salary for postmas-
tiers. Interest centered in the data accom-
panying the report, which had been fur
nished the committee by the Postoffice De-
partment, relating to members of the
House.
There was a full attendance of members
on both sides Of the chamber when Mr.
Overstreet stated that he had been directed
by unanimous vote of the committee to rec
as the information wanted accompanies the
report Minority members urged that de-
bate and vote on the resolution should be
deferred they had not had an opportunity
to read the report, so an agreement was
reached TO postpone further action until
Wednesday and 1900 copies of the report
hours debate on the motion 10 table and a
formal amendment will be offered by the
minority to provide for general investiga-
ton of the Postoffice Department Mr..
OVarQtrppf N uTi ha
said that I'm his opinion there was not a
single instance of any reflection on the in
tegrity of any member.
When the postOffice appropriation bill
was taken up Mr.. Overstreet made an Ella b.
crate explanation of its provisions and
dwelt at some length on the reasons for
carriers
THE REPORT BROUGHT IN.
While Mr.. Overstreet was speaking a
messenger brought in and laid on the door
keepers desk a bundle of the reports ac-
companying the Hay resolution. Members
crowded around the desk and business was
suspended until every member had procured
a copy of the report.
Mr. Overstreet said the committee. in the
interest OF the service, had recommended
that rural free delivery carriers no longer
be permitted to solicit business for nler-
chants.
Mr.. Moon CTenn). the ranking minority
member of the postofice committee dis,
avowing any political purpose in view of
the evidence at hand, urged il to be the
duty of the House to look closely into the
affairs of the Postoffice Department. The
system of administration he said was
weak and investigation might enable
the House TO revise and strengthen the
system. The slime. he said. (which had
been found in one branch may have perme-
ated other branches" He said that the
names of 80 members had been linked with
the wrongdoing in the Postoffice Depart
ment. Not justly" he said. except in a
| very few cases, but he asked how this
would be viewed. He eXonerated the Re
publicans from any desire to protect
wrongdoers i'm office. but said they were
derelict in not providing a better system
1t was not a partisan Issue, but issue
| that must be met. Mr. Moon concluded by
| condemning the railroad mail subsidy car
ried i'm the bill. In response to Mr.. eros
venor he said il was the votes of a majority
of both parties that kept the subsidy in the
/ bill.
Mr. Cowherd, of Missouri. also a mem
| Der of the committee. followed with ar
/ analytical review of the charges made in
| the Bristow report. which he referred to as
a shameful story of fraud and misadmin
| istration. He also favored a general con
gressional investigation of postal affairs.
/ Mr.. Murdoch, of Kansas, said the deficit
| that had grown UP I'm the Postoffice De
| partment was because improvements in th'
| service had been pushed ahead OF the rev
enues. He said If there had been "Theo
dore Roosevelt TO cut a canal across tn
| isthmus Columbus could have SAILED
through and discovered the United States
on the western coast the people OF the New
| England States now would be asking 70
| admission 10 statehood.
| Without debate the House unanimousl,
| adopted the resolution. Mr.. Martin (Rep.
s. D. directing the secretary OF commerce