The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-12
IN REVOLT.
Indignation of House Members
Extends to Roosevelt.
They Yell Wildly at Mention sOf
CannOn'S Name.
ARE ON THE WAR PATH
Calderhead Resents Use of His
Name, in Speech.
Resolution Calling for an In
VestigatiOn Is Passed.

Washington, March 12.-The house of
representatives INDUCED in nearly
seven hours of explanation. accusation
and denunciation. and then ordered,
with only two negative votes, an in
vestigation of postal affairs, SO far as
members of the house are concerned,
by special committee OF seven men,
bers, to be appointed by the speaker,
who, likewise are to examine into the
origin of the BriStOW report. SO far as
it concerns members of the house
The demand of a minority for a
sweeping investigation OF every branch
of the postoffice department was not
granted. The test on this question
came on a vote, which resulted IA to
125. a strict party vote.
William Alden Smith of Michigan
condemned every executive department
of the government for its arrogant
greatment of the only branch of the
government in direct touch with the
people of the country. the house of
representatives, and shouted out the
name of Speaker Cannon for president
of the Unittd States. The house thun-
dered its acouiescence.
Members rose and fairly shrieked their
was in their hands. Republicans
pounded their desks and the packed
galleries took up the enthusiasm and
echoed the applause.
When the speaker bent low over his
desk and welded his gaveI vigorously
for order his raps served only as an
impetus for a fresh outbreak Mean
while, Mr.. Smiths time ran out, and.
when he endeavored to continue. in
opposition to the ruling of the speaker.
he was urged on by cries of members
on both sides. but without avail
The parliamentary struggle between
the Republicans and Democrats came
late in the day. A recommendation of
-.N-.Ls
lay on the table was brushed aside
unanimously. The Democratic demand
for a full investigation finally came to
a vote in the shape of an appeal from
the decision of the chair and was de-
Seated IA to 125, a strict party vote.
A resolution for an investigation of
the connection of members with the de-
partment offered by Representative
Mccall of Massachusetts was then
agreed to. only Representatives Lind,
Democrat of Minnesota, and Gillespie,
Democrat of Texas. opposing it.
During the debate Mr.. Burleson, of
Texas, vigorously asserted that the de-
partment had given the committee in
formation not asked for, and yet"
he said, you laid it before this house.
1 say it is an outrage" And I say
that the committee could do nothing
else" holly retorted Mr.. Cowherd. The
members of the house, he said, owed it
to themselves that the truth be given.
William Alden Smith, of Michigan,
jumped up and, holding UP a copy of
the report, called attention to the fact
that one of the exhibits showed the
words White House on it. He had,
he said, examined the original papers
and the words white House" were not
on them. L would like to know" he
asked, with considerable warmth, ''who
had the audacity to write the name
'W-h-i-t-e" in that report?'
The committee on postoff1ces and
pOstroads never added a word,'' an
swered Mr.. Cowherd, smarting under
the imputation.
Somebody did" said Mr.. Smith, with
equal warmth
We'll, it was done in the department.
then" Mr.. COwherd replied, amid ap-
plause. Mr.. Cowherd then entered upon
a vigorous and emphatic answer to the
charges and epithets which members
had hurled at the department Mem
bers, he said, had stated the depart