New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-25
hot FIGHT IN HOUSE.
DEMOCRATS DEFEATED.
DeciS0e Tote against Investigating
the PoStO6fce Department.
rrHon TIE rRrBUryE BrREAUl

washington. March 24-The Democrats,
driven 10 Desperation for partisan capital again
..,e-npred in the House to-day - institute
,,.,s-sl investigation % the Postofice Depart
--.-t by r. special committee or Congress Nhen
%. oupor.uni;v arrived in the consideration ~
che pos,oface Appropriation bll John sharp
vt-g-fa-rs. the minority leader. introduced IN
..,erdrent which provided practically what was
contemplated in previous parliamentary sAlr-
yn,shes and. as on former occasions. he faiIea 10
accomplish his purpose.
AR williams Is an ssUute politician. ana no
ore realizes better than he. 81 is declared ''7
bo,elsssness 81 the Democratic struggle Tor SU
,-,scv 81 the rolls next fall. with the desire
hovvever. TO make as good a showing ~
--,5er the adverse conditions confronting ms
marty The minority floor leader processes 10 T-7
!, the continued agitation and thrashlng over
os.be roetoffce scandals an opportunity TOT me
-,rlesaIe manufacture Of campaign material
a. the Democracy His amendment to-day
.orrht 10 accomplish this end. but, beyond pre-
,,,,rating a prolonged partisan discussion no
advantage was gained.
CHAIRMAN Overstreet Of the Postofice COM
-rittee Immediately raised point of oroer
aeainst the proposition, which was sustained by
the chair. HIr Williams moved to overruie Jhat
decision. and there followed a debate character
,zes by bitter partisanship and personalities.
The leaders Of both sides OF the House were
drawn into the controversy but when the smoke
AZ battle had cleared away and the Democratic
commander in chief had acknowledged his de-
feat al bitterness disappeared and Eood hlInor
again prevailed
WILIIANS'S AMENDMENT LOST
M wiuians-s amendment provided for the
appoinrnent OF a joint select committee or eight
five Represeutatives and three senator's 10 tA
ercise all functions necessary TO a complete IN
,estiration OF all frauds and irregularities all
legged 10 exist IN said department"
Mr. Overstreet promptly made the point or
order that the amendment was not Eernlane and
was new legislation which the chair sustained.
nsr Williams appealed TO Mr. Diversified TO
withdraw his point 81 order which Mt. over
street refused 10 DO.
Mr. Grosvenor explained the rules Of the
House end said 70 Mr. Williams that u ne De
Iieve6 an investigation should be had a reso.l
sfor could be offered which could 90 10 the ltLleS
Committee, ana the House had its pr'gg.
,nethod should that committee fell 20 act lte
appealed 10 the majority 'ro stand ty the
chair.
NJ Payne said Nr Williams was the first
member openly to advocate a violation or iAe
rules 81 the House for the purpose ~ making IL
party play
Mr.. Williams replied that he was not hypo-
critic enough TO disguise his purpose. and sala ne
had not sworn TO obey the rules of the House
we have sworn. on the contrary he SAID, 10
do our duty 10 the country, and when II cannon
be done under the rules, II can be done only ny
fe-qporarilv upsetting one OF your rules
on a vote by rellers the decision OF the chalr
was sustained, 133 10 ~.