The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-01-10
a COOP RESOLUTIONS.

NO MEMBER Of the national house
" Of representatives who has been an
honest servant of his constituents
could have anything to fear Irom the
resolution introduced in the house on
Monday by AIR. Hay of Virginia. The
resolution provides for the appointment
Of committee Of I'VE TO investigate
certain charges made by Fourth As
sistant Postmaster General Bristow IN
his recent fraud report relative to the
actions Of some members of congress
in securing increases OF clerk hire for
.postmasters and in the leasing of build
ings for postoff1ce purposes.
It is dihlcult TO understand why, if
their skirts are clean, some Of the Re
publican members. interposed technical
objections 20 the immediate considerA-
ton Of the resolution, and succeeded
IN preventing. temporarily, al least. it's
adoption by referring it to the COM
mittee on pOstofiees and post roads.
Public officials who have moth
ing to conceal usually welcome any
kind OF a fair investigation. There
could be no hint of unfairness IN an in
vestigation Of this kind, because the
speaker would see to it that his party
had a majority on the committee. 1t
could be depended upon TO give every
Republican the benefit of the doubt.
mr. BristOw has charged that Beav-
ers, late chief Of the division Of salaries
and allowances in the postofnce depart
ment. granted increases in clerk hire
to postmasters at the request Of con-
gressmen, whether such increases We're
necessary or not. The further charge
is made that, in violation Of a plain
federal statute. Beavers made con-
tracts with congressman for the rental
Of premises for postoffice purposes.
either in their own names, the names of
agents or some member OF their fam
lilies. Surely, as Mr.. Hays resolution
states, these charges reflect seriously
upon the congressional honor. and
should be investigated.
In this connection. and in view Of the
cases Of Senator Dietrich Of Nebraska
and Senator Warren of Wyoming. the
one last named having been officially
declared closed" the statute govern
ing such matters may be of interest
Section 87S9. Revised Statutes Of the
United States, says. in part:
NO member Of or delegate to con-
gress shall directly or indirectly. him
self. o. by any other person in trust for
him, or for his use or benefit or on his
account, undertake, execute, hold or
enjoy in whole or in part. any con-
tract or agreement made or entered
into on behalf OF the United States, by
any person or officer authorized 10
make contracts on behalf Of the United
States, Every person who violates this
section shall be guilty Of a misdemean-
or and shall be fined three thousand
dollars. All contracts ar agreements
made in violation Of this section shall
be void; and whenever any sum Of
money is advanced on the part of the
United States in consideration of any
such contract or agreement, It shall be
forthwith repaid"
4 subsequent section provides that
any United States officer who enters
into one Of the forbidden agreements.
which have been held to cover post
Office leases and the like, shall be fined
$4,000.
Members of congress who have vio-
lated this statute. Il there be any, will
be pardoned il they oppose the resoIu-
ton Of investigation.