The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-09

Washington. Jan. s--Alleged postoffice
frauds were under discussion In the SEN
ate yesterday. the subject being opened
in set speech by Mr.. Simmons On c..
who insisted there should be an investi-
cation by the senate into the charges Mr..
Platt CConn) denied that the Republicans
were trying 10 cover up any wrongdoing
in the postoffice department and that they
simply were contendlng that the postoffice
committee should ascertain what was TO
be investigated
The discussion was participated in by
Messrs. Burrows, Dolliver and Quarles on
the Republican side and Messrs Car
mack Ttllman and Teller on the Demo
cratic side. The Republican contention
was that there had been a thorough in
yestigation by the postoffice department
and that senate investigation was now
being pressed by the Democrats for par
tisan purposes. The Democrats insisted
that they wanted the facts and charged
that the Republicans were trying TO
smother them Perry s. Heath was Bit
terly assailed and former Postmaster Cen
eral Smith was criticised by the Demo-
cratic members
SENATE.
When the senate met yesterday Mr.Scott
CW. Va offered joint resolution pro-
vfding for an investigation OF the Da-
rien canal route. He made brief speech
In support OF a proposition for sea-ievel
canal. stating that such waterway
would be only 30 miles In length. The route
never had been carefully investigated by
engineers, but he felt sure that when II
was thoroughly examined IL would be
found that IL was wholly practicable He
said that the tunnel which sea level
canal Aauld require was not impossible
in this day OF electricity and invention.
Mr. Bacon interrupted TO ask where
the proposed canal was TO be located In
view OF recent geographical changes In
South America"
1T is I'm the state OF Panama" re-
marked Mr. Stewart, about $50 miles
from Colombia"
Mr. Scott said that although he han
always believed In a sea-level water
way he had hesitated to press the mat
ter because he might be accused OF an
effort TO delay and hinder the construc-
tion OF a canal, but such was not his
purpose He wanted a canal. but wanted
the best one. HeNasked that the commit
tee on inter-oceanic canals make an early
report upon the resolution he had pre-
scented.
The Scott resolution was referred 10
the committee on inter-oceanic canals.
THE POSTAL DEBATE.
The resolution for an investigation OF
the postoffice department was then taken
up. Mr. Simmons IN. G. said II was
clearly the purpose OF the Repupncan
party not TO permit any further inquiry
into the frauds and scandals OF the de
partment He predicted that when the
resolutions came back from the senate
committee they would be defeated py
practically the unanimous vote OF the Re
publicans. IL was apparent ne SAID,
that no further investigation would be
permitted on the eve of presidential
election.
Speaking OF the Bristow inquiry. Mr.
simmons said the report OF that inquiry
showed IL TO be one directed solely into
crimes committed within the department
and that the various bureaus were not
subjected TO the general seafch for diS-
closure OF Irregularities not punishable
as crimes. II do not charge that every
branch OF the department Is reeking With
fraud" he said. But IL will be difficult
10 convince the people that such Ia not
the case The investigation that has
been had is merely OF legal character.
MIR. 1flman said that number OF
years ago he had asked that rural free
cost and that he had submitted a sample
box which sold for 80 cents. This box.
said Mr. Tilman. was furnished later at
81 80 each. He wanted 10 know whether
any investigation OF this case had been
made
Mr.. simmons answered that the Bris-
tow report exposed many such cases.
Mr.. Tillman asked why II is that the
Republicans were so anxious to prevent
an Investigation. I'VE are trying to
turn the rascals out" he said. while
you are trying 20 keep them in You
have much 20 gain by refusing to shed
light on the department We have much
TO gain by exposing corruption
Before answer was made TO the dues-
ton Mr.. Tillman. at the top Of his voice.
pfopounded another question; What
about those rural free delivery boxes?
The man who had that business IN charge
has not been Investigated"
HOUSE.
The house yesterday made available the
sum OF $3.50 600 10 he used TO meet the
emergency caused by the ravages OF the
cotton boil weevil and other insects and
diseases affecting cotton The measure
was adopted without division. meeting
general support The sum is to be di-
verted from the half-million dollars ap-
propriated last year to eradicate the foot
and mouth disease among cattle
Pension bills 10 the number or 1l5 were