The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-09
Postal Frauds Discussed.
(Bv the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Washington, Jan. S.-Alleged postoffice
frauds were under discussion in the Sen
ate today, the subject being opened IN
set speech By Mr.. Simmons IN. c., who
insisted there should be an Investigation
by the Senate into the charges. Mr.. Platt
(Conn), denied that the Republicans
were trying to cover up any wrong-doing
in the Postoffice Department, and said
they were simply contending that the
postoffioe 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 Carmack, Tillman, and
Teller, oD the Democratic side.
Mr. Simmons said it was clearly the
purpose of the Republicans not to permit
any further inquiry into the frauds and
scandals of the department. He predicted
that when the resolutions came back from
the Senate Committee they would be de-
feated by practically the unanimous vote
of the Republicans. 1t was apparent.
he said, that no further investigation
would be permitted on the eve of presi-
Dental election.
Speaking of the Bristow inquiry, Mr..
Simmons said tho reports of that inquiry
showed it to be one directed solely into
crimes committed within the department,
and that the various bureaus were not
subjected to the general search for the
disclosure of irregularities not punishable
as crimes II do not charge that every
branch of the department is reeking with
fraud" said he, "but it will be difficult
to convince the people that such is not
the case. The investigation that has been
had is merely of legal character"
Mr.. Simmons made the point that the
frauds exposed by Mr.. Bristow, in nearly
ever yinstance form a civil liability and
that government funds which had been
wasted should be recovered in court of
law.
Mr. Tillman said that number of years
ago he had asked that rural free delivery
boxes be supplied to farms at cost, and
that he had submitted a sample box which
sold for fifty cents. This box, said Mr.
Tillman was furnished later at s125 and
$1.50 each. He wanted to know whether
any investigation of this case had been
made.
T..
report exposed many such cases.
Mr.. Simmons referred to Former AS
sistant Postmaster General Heath, and
said that there was every reason why an
inquiry should be directed to finding out
what his connections were with the post
office scandals. He did not say Perry
Heath was guilty. but if he was not con-
nected with the frauds he was surround
ed by the most curious set OF circumstan-
ces that had ever been known. Mr. Sim
mons also criticised former Postmaster
General Smith because he did not investi-
gate the Tulloch charges.
Speaking of Mr.. Tullochs experience in
the Postoffice Department, Mr.. Simmons
said:
Who knows but what his dismissal
was for the purpose of intimidating otlr
er employees who might have had infor
nation for the exposure OF frauds"
When Mr.. Simmons concluded Mr..
Plat Comm. said it had been charged
by the Democratic Senators in direct
terms that ii an investigation Is not had
1t would be because the Republicans oh
Jected to the investigate He said thai
such was not the case; that what the
Republicans had demanded was that tht
Postoffce Committee should conduct an
inquiry to determine whether Congress
sional investigation is necessary.
Exception to the Republican position
was taken by Mr.. Carmack, who SAID
that the Democrats are not agreed TO
leave the matter entirely to the. Commit
tee on Postoffce and Post Roads. 1--WE
admit" he said, that Mr. Bristow's in
vestigation was thorough so far as 1t
went, but we deny that it was elaborate
or comprehensive"
NJ. Platt contended that The commit
tee should report to the Senate whether
an investigation is necessary and Mr..
Carmack argued that such an arrange
ment would leave the entire matter in
the hands of the committee. The Sen
ate now, he said, should order an in
vestigation. No course short of this
would meet the demands OF the situation.
He declared that the Postmaster General
had stood in the way OF an honest in
vestigation and in view OF his obstinate
opposition and in view of the fact that
rottenness had been found in some dlvls
ions of the Postoffice Department, the III
ference was that there had been corrur'
tion in other divisions. For this reason
(Contiued on Page Fiye.)