The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-08
ATTEMPTED NEW SENSATION FAILS.


The attempt to create new sensation out
of the Bristow report on the postoffice in
vestigation has failed. 1t is another illus
tration of the mountain laboring and bring
ing forth a mouse.
The original report, which made specific
charges against certain officials in the de-
partment, on which some of them have
since been convicted. made references to
certain postofiees in different States where
IL was claimed that Beavers the indicted
chief of the salaries and allowances di-
vision. had been guilty of undue activity in
making increased allowances for salaries,
clerk hire, etc. If not directly charged it
was clearly implied that certain members of
Congress, senator's as well as representa-
tives. had urged the increases. No names
were mentioned, but it was easy to infer
from the location of the cities in whose
districts they were located.
On the strength of these statements in
the Bristow report rumors were started that
many members of Congress had been con-
nected with transactions which could not
bear the light of day, that they were now
on the anxious seat, that sensational dis
closures were likely to be made, etc. y
Democratic member of the House commit
tee on postofiices and postroads introduced
a resolution providing for the appointment
of a special committee to investigate the
subject intimating that the majority of
the committee were trying TO suppress the
g. n.
Office Department for the facts in the case,
and a supplemental report was prepared,
which was yesterday filed in the House.
The facts do not sustain the rumors and
charges of improper conduct by members
OF Congress. They show as the records Of
past under all administrations and both
parties. that senators and representatives
have sometimes Endorsed or personally urged
the requests of postmasters for better facil-
tiles, to be obtained only by increased rental
allowance and for increased salaries for
clerks or additional clerks. One of the
most disagreeable duties of a member of
| Congress is TO present such claims as these
to the department. but their constituents
| expect and demand it, and it has become
established usage. The member cannot
| always have personal information as to the
necessity or justice of the claims, but he
| is justified in acting the information
| and request of the postmaster which is
often backed by the request of other con-
| stituents. The postmaster has no other
means of bringing his needs directly to the
attention of the department except through
his representative, or sometimes a senator
and he feels free to enlist their good
| offices in his behalf. A member OF
| Congress who should refuse to present such
claims and use his influence to get them
allowed would lose friends and become un-
| popular. AS they receive no compensation
| for such services they may fairly be re-
| garded as part Of the members official
| duties.
Whatever applications a postmaster may
make for increased allowances for rent
clerk hire and salaries, and however earn
estly representative or senator may ia
dorse his application or press it before the
department, the responsibility for its allow.
4 ante ISSlS Will OFFICIALS. IL IL
| their business to know whether the claim
is reasonable and proper or not With the
| records and data of all the postoffices In
| the country at their command they should
know whether the application of any par.
| ticular postmaster for increased allow
ances is reasonable or not. If they are un
| duly influenced by the recommendation OF
a member of Congress that is their fault
In presenting the claim the member only
does his duty by his constituents
| Democratic members of the House have
been fomenting this alleged scandal II
the hope of smirching the Republicans
AS most of the postmasters for severa
years past have been Republicans it i.
natural that under a Republican admins
tration Republican members should have
a good deal of this sort of work to do in
the department There is nothing improper
about it. and it looks as if Mr.. Bristov
had quite overstepped the limits of fair
Tess in rejecting on members of Congress
for doing 1t.
| OUR LITTLE NAVY.