New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-10
FOR 4 POSTAL PROBING
CONGRESS- TO ORDER 1T.
Euraged by Report, House HW
RetaiatC
lrrov rrr -E1srNE BrREAu. J

Washington. March 2.-Chairman Overstree' :
committee procra nne to-day suffered lgno-
r7iuious defeat in the House. A food OF IN
dianatlon swept Tesistlessiy over all his care
fully perfected plans 70 table the hay reso-
r-,-i-r and pre-e1t its further consideration.
That ar investigation Of the Postoi1ce Depart
,rent by Congress viii be ordered Is now Ger
tain. unless there should be an incredible change
IN +h- temper Of the House before the close OF
the legislative day tomorrow.
Members on both sides Of the chamber BIT
terly denounced the Payne report clalrhiIls
that IL was not only inaccurate and mlsleao-
ing but that Il purposely suppressed inforIla-
lion which II made public, would JUSTIFY thS
commentators for which they had been so
severely criticised. The feeling was intense ana
5anuuciatiou unrestrained. A Tnemoer aPpIo-
rriatelv likened the chamber 10 a powder ma
zinc into which it was ronentarily feared e.
arebraua would be thrown. This apprehension
vas MARTY realized when Representative Will
San, Alden Smith. % Michigan. declared that
no knew that facts had been suppressed "hich
,your6 be elected through an investigation D.
S-onrross. This unexpected Republican support
g. tb, Democratic ----o~s+4ou brought a round
% arrIause from the minority, in which a con-
siderable number OF the majority joined
Members declared that they had visited the
Postoffice Department and attempted 10 us
cover the author OF the report TO OBTAIN from
hin, n view Of the records from which 1t was
compiled They insisted that they were unanie
20 secure the Information they sought, and Rep
-ssepta+ive Hi. Of Connecticut whose name APP
peared couepicuouslv in the report said that'
though he had tried repeatedly, ne had been
beaten in the attempt. He passionately declared
that he proposed to camp on the Tran OF inc
author OF that infamous do, Ument. i waive
al rishts and protection afforded me as a mem
her Of Congress" he said. and brand lhaI
author as a liar and a gcoUndreL
Representative Cooper Of Wisconsin. declfred
that as a member under Indictment he desired
eyer,, opportunity for investigation and discus
sion and that he was unalterably opposed 70 any
further delay. lie intimated that he could see
no valid reason why Eeprese NATIVE should
favor postponement unless he were guilty as
charged. Referring 10 the autnotsn.p OF tne
report. Mr.. Cooper said that the Fourth ASSIST
ant Postmaster General had told AN old ana
highly esteemed member Of Congress that ne
had not prepared the document
This announcement caused a decided sensa-
tion and one member was heard 10 declare that
q s,ibor5ioata II. the Postofice Department re-
marked when the request for the Information
came in. Here is our chance TO set even with
those fellows the Hill'
So vigorous were the protests against delay
that Chairman Overstr-et voluntarily abau-
doued his request 10 postpone consideration OF
the resolution until next Monday IN order not
TO interfere with the passage of tn" Postothce
Appropriation bin. Toward the expiration OF
the three hours originally agreed upon for the
debate. Mr.. Overstreet obtained unanimous con-
sent 20 extend the time until o'clock tomorrow
afternoon when "a vote VIII be taken on the
committees motion To- table th" motion unless
the futility OF such action should De- seen and The
attempt abandoned. L is conceded that tho
HcuSn IS in no mood 20 entertain al this time
a proposition Of this kind.
The minority has a substitute. or amendment.
authorizing the Investigation by Congress ~ the
Postoflcs Department. Upon this, point Of
order can he made. but all Indications now point
70 more vigorous action. The spirit ~ resent
rnent and retaliation IS so pronounced IN The
House that Il Is believed that nothing short - n
complete overhaulinE Of the department will
satisfy those Who arc included in the Payu"
Indictment