The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-01-05
REPUBLICANS
ARE DODGlNG
Democrats Desire TO investigate
eristOW Charges.
HONOR OF HOUSE INVOLVED
QUORUM COULD NOT BE OBJ
TANNED ON A VOTE.

lEIAsHINGToN. Jan. AT the open
w ing Of the house today the chap
lain prayed for peace between
Japan and Russia
The resignation of Mr.. Mcclellan Of
New York was announced.
Mr.. Hay Dem. va offered a priv
ieged resolution. as follows:
Whereas. the fourth assistant post
master general, IN his report to the
postmaster general, dated Oct. a. 1903,
and which report has been transmitted
TO a committee of this house has
charged that long leases for pOstoffice
premises were cancelled and rent in
creased upon the recommendation Of
influential representa- ves; and,
Whereas, it is charged in the same
report that If q member of congress
requested increased clerk hire allowed
a postmaster, Beavers usually COM
piled, regardless Of the merits Of the
case; and,
Whereas. certain cases of an aggra-
waited character are cited on pages 1873.
134. 135 of said report to sustain the
above charges; and,
Whereas, on page AS Of said report
1t is charged that members Of congress
have violated section 3,739 Of the re-
vised statutes. and that in face Of the
statute. Beavers has made contracts
with members of congress for the rent
al of premises, either in their own
names. the names of their agents or
some member of their families; and,
Whereas, these charges and others
contained in said report reflect upon
the Integrity Of the membership of this
house and upon individual members
of this house, whose names are not
mentioned. therefore. be il
Investigation Asked.
Resolved, That the speaker. Of this
house appoint a committee consisting
of five members of this house TO iBves-
tigate said charges; that said commit
tee have power to send for persons and
papers, to enforce the production Of the
same; to examine witnesses under OATH
10 have the assistance or a stenOg-
rapher, and to have power to sit dur
ing sessions Of the house. and TO eE-
ereise all functions necessary to a com
plete investigation Of said charges, and
to report the result of such investiga-
ton as soon as practicable
Mr.. Gardner (Rep., \. j. raised a
point of order c0nLending that there
was no specific charge against any
member of this congress.
Mr.. Hay .contended that the resolu-
ton was privileged, and ne was sup
ported by Mr.. Williams of Mississippi,
the minority leader.
Mr.. Grosvenor (Rep.. Ohio asked
Mr.. Hay if il would not be better to
adopt a resolution calling On the fourth
assistant postmaster general for the
names of congressman, but aIr- Hay in
sisted on his resolution
The speaker overruled the point Of
order.
Mr.. Payne (Rep.. X. " asked if it
would be in order TO move 10 refer the
resolution 10 the committee n pestOff-
ces. but was Informed that it was not.
On Mr. Hays motion that the pre-
vious question be ordered on adoption
of the resolution, thespeake sannUnced
the vote as e to SS-HO quorum. The
speaker ordered the doors closed for
a call Of the house.
Mr.. Payne suggested that it was
doubtful if quorum could be obtained
today, and on this motion, the minority
leader asserting. the house. at 1855 p.
m, adjourned until tomorrow.