Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-19
58TH CONGRESS.
Senator Hale Asserts Postal
Inquiry Is Thorough.
Much More so Than Congressional
Inquiry Would Have Been.
Panama Treaty with Three Amend
mcnts Reported to Senate.

inquiry resolution and the Panama ca
nal question divided the attention of
the Senate, today. The first half Of
the session was given up to the in
uuiry, Messrs. Hale and German being
the speakers. Mr.. Hale made plea
for the reference of all postal investi-
CATION resolutions to the committee on
post Offices and German repeated his
assurance that he would be satisfied
with that disposal of the question. He
denied any intention to appear as I
prosecutor Of the Republican party. of
which Hale accused him. Hale ex-
pressed the opinion that the depairt-
mental inquiry had been more thor
ough than would be a congressional
investigation. The question went over
until tomorrow, with the understand
ing that after few more speeches the
resolution would be allowed to go to
the committee.
This discussion of the Panama canal
question was confined to a continual
ton of Tellers argument that the
course of the United States in the re-
cent revolt of Panama was contrary
to international law and sound morals.
Resolutions looking to investigation
by Congress of the post Office depart
mcnt, were laid before the Senate and
Hale addressed that body i'll defens:
Of the administration and in criticism
of the Democratic side concerning the
insu1ficiency of the BristoW inquiry.
He declared there never had been so
ruthless an investigation as that which
had exposed the frauds in the post Of
flee department. Hale said it had boon
settled by general consent that all of
the resolutions coming from different
senators should be sent to the commit
tee on pest offices and post roads for
consideration. He believed that to be
the most suitable way Of proceeding
iii as much as the chairman Of that
committee had given assurance that
the resolutions would be reported
promptly.
so far as am able to observe there
never has been any disposition to pre-
vent or stifle further investigation,
said Hale.
Il say the investigation has been
thorough and scvere-an example
such as has not been shown in the his
tory of the government"
He said a number of Democratic
senators had been disturbed-Bacon of
Georgia-"by the apparition of Perry
Heath in the post Office scandals-and
Mr.. German" said Hale, naturally
looks upon himself in the role of prose-
cutor of the Republican party for all
the dcIinqucncies in the investigation"
German said he was surprised tnat
such il conclusion had been reached III
rnp rI his rnS:tjn,, in cl- fnr. =,
investigation: that it had been far from
his purpose to become a public prose-
cutor. Il
What I have complained of is that
the senator has reiterated again and
again that the investigation has been
sti1ed," said Hale.
German answered that he had made :,
the statement that for two and a half
months the senator from Pennsylvania,
the senator from Tennessee and him
self, had been trying to secure the pas
sage OF a resolution asking for further
investigation, "and." said he "the SEN
ator from Massachusetts (Lodge) in |
formed Us bluntly and frankly that the
Republican party was in the majority
and would not permit us to obtain any
infoi nation except by permission of
that party. Such a condition ought not
to he tolerated in the Senate"
Hale intcrposed that that was per-
sonal controversy between the two scna-
tors and added that all were now agreed |
that these resolutions should all so to
the post Office committee to determine
to what extent Congress should follow up. |
search out, find. expose and punish crimes
in the most Offico 5pno
In reply Hale said he could not say that
the full results had been reached but that
the department had been committed to the |
and he repeated that never |
in the history of the country had there |
been an investigation so relentless. Hale !
prOphesied that as the great campaign |
between the parties approached the inves- |
tigation by Congress, if one is ordered |
would dwinde into a contest between the |
two parties to see which could gain the |
advantage over the other.
The Republicans are taking credit Tor |
the exposures in the post Office depart |
ment." said German. land suppose il the |
positions were reversed we would do the |
81 me thing"
He then referred to former statements |
to the effect that charges and Witnesses