Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-31
58TH CONGRESS.
Senate Begins Consideration Of
the Postoffice Bill.
Lodge and Penrose Speak for the
Republican Side.
House Listens to Debate on Sundry
Civil Bill.


today, began consideration of the post
Office appropriation bill and it was
the signal for Il revival of the Demo-
cratic demand for an investigation into
the charges of corruption in the post
office department..
The debate was initiated by MIR. Cor
man. who spoke for almost two hours
in criticism OF the coul So of the Re-
publican party in the Senate in rcfus-
ing an inquiry into the post office scam
days, at the same time charging the
post Office committee with undue haste
in reporting the bill. as he did the Re
publican party with desire to ad-
iourn Congress 1T an exceptionally
early date in order to meet the wishes
Of the President.
Mr.. Clay contended that there should
be = congressional inquiry, saying that
the charges against Mr.. iie2tn. cX-first
assistant postmaster general, we've
such as to demand investigation.
Mr.. Peniose ana MIR. Lodge spoke for
the Republican side of TIE chamber,
defending the committee on post offices
against the charge of haste, and also
the administration. Mr.. Lodge con
tended that Congress could not make
an inquiry that would be as thorough
as that already made hy the post Office
department. He charged the Demo-
cratic attack to a desire to find Il po-
litical issue.
Mr.. Scott quoted District Attorney
Beach ana Assistant Attorney General
Robb as saying that there WAS not
sufficient evidence upon which to ineiict
Heath.
The Senate, today. passed bill pro-
hibitiEg tie erection Of buildings on
the Mall in Washington nearer than
l45 feet 10 a central line from the
Capitol to the Washington monument.
Mr.. MctU lumber then addressed the
Senate in support OF his bill. providing
for 4 uniform federal standard Of Clas-
siticatiCn and grading Of grain. He
said that the grain buyers had grown
fat under the present system. and That
as was to have been expected, they had
opposed the bill while it had been uni
iorlnly commended by the farmers or
CARNATIONS.
When Mr.. McCumber concluded tie
post Office appropriation bill was taken
UP. It's reading had, however. not pro-
Cceded far when Nj. German addressed
the Senate. saying that notwithstand-
ing the bill carried $1,1. .00G the Sen
ate committee ou post Offices had spent
only two days i'll its consideration ana
that now. whcn only four days have
elapsed since the bill came from tn
House. the Senate was asked TO pass
upon it. Not Il single senator could
ure and he could not comprehend tie
haste displayed. Indeed. he asserted.
from the beginning of the session there
apparently had been some mysterious
influence ut work in connection with
the post Office matter. He did not mean
to be understood that either the post
master general or any of his principal
assistants. had been untrue to their
trusts, but so far as information had
been allowed to come out ii had showa
that there had been great llXity in the
department. He also said that there
had been persistent denial Of the privi-
lege of investigation of the affairs of
the post Office department and he urged
that it was not yet too late to take
steps to prevent further robbery and
thievery in the department"
lie then reviewed The efforts to Sc
cure authorities for senatorial investi-
CATION into post office affairs. Citing
the various resolutions introduced to
that end. he said
Il doubt whether under similar cir
cumStarces similar resolutions have
ever been fought to vigorously"
Indeed, ne said. Mr.. Penrnse. chair
man of the committee on post offices,
was the Cnly Republican who had not
stood against on inquiry. Nor had the
denial been confined to investigation.
for his own simple resolution asking
for the report Of the fourth assistant
postmaster general and that of Messrs.
Conrad and Bonaparte had been re-
sisted and the resolution passed over
for the time. In view of the fact that
the reports had already been printed
he had not been able to see the reason
for these tactics.
Mr.. German also called attention to
the promise Of Mr.. Pcnrose that the !
resolutions should be favoraby re-
Continued on page 81