The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-12

be intimidated?" he inquired. Every honest
man named In the report owed IL TO himself
TO demand an investigation.
Mr.. Clayton, of Alabama, was unsparing
in his criticism of Postmaster General
Payne. TO whom he referred as that distin-
guished imbecile who happens TO be post
master general of the United States He
then entered into an explanation Of the
lease of the postofice building at Union
Springs, Ala. Facing the Republican side
and raising his voice TO the highest pitch.
Mr.. Clayton said that IF this report un-
covers any rascality by members of Con-
gress it is on that side of the chamber
and not on this"
Mr.. Clayton spoke of the Tulloch charges
and the light way in which Postmaster
with a bitter personal attack on the post
master general and referred to him as a
MI. Hot Air Man" and a NJ Horse
congratulated by the President for the dis
tlnguished service he rendered the coun-
try In securing the conviction of Machen
and MS confederates." He wanted he
said, ito rip open the whole stomach of the
Postoff1ce Department and show the vitals
of corruption" He was greeted with loud
applause as he took his seat.
RESENTED b CALDERHEAD.
Mr.. Calderhead, of Kansas. said the Presi-
dent and the postmaster general had
charged him with making a corrupt COLI
tract with Beavers. They shall not do it,"
he vigorously stated, without my protest
mere VI anywhere lie cOOld not, ne SdlO,
approve of a report which mixes the names
of honorable men with those of criminals.
Mr.. Lowering, of Massachusetts,, protested
against the report and said he had no ex-
PLANTATION to offer for what he had done
and If he has the opportunity he will do the
same thing again.
I Mr.. Sibley. referring to the charge that
ne had secured large increases for certain
postmasterS, wanted TO know what are
the rights, duties and privileges of MEM
there should be a distinct declaration of
off"
Mr.. Burkett, of Nebraska. denounced the
suggestion that he had unlawfully obtained
certain increases for postoffices. He charged
that somebody had bundled up a mass of
stuff in a hapbazard way. and the COM
mittee has sprung II as a bomb with a
fuse to it," He demanded an investiga-
ton.
Il, a Democrat serving my first term in
Congress, am charged with exercising I'M
due influence with the officials of the Post
office Department" was the statement of
Mr.. Pou. of North Carolina, and the House
laughed. He was willing to sit during the
entire summer If necessary to go to the
bottom of the matter.
Mr.. Williams. the Democratic leader. in
corrupted that a proposition was TO be made
10 appoint a special committee, before
which members might go and explain the
indictments against them. Did you ever
hear of the guilty voluntarily going before
~ SiduQ jury ne dSheQ.
w. A. SMITHS SPEECH.
William Alden Smith (Mich) said fer
vently; Il denounce this report as a volun-
tary and gratuitous insult by a great execu-
tive department of this government. That
department. has undertaken voluntarily to
cast a stigma on this great chamber of the
people. 1t has gone out of its way to keep
facts back which should have been given
he continued. He then threw the House
into a state of wild excitement. Men of
the highest character, he declared, had been
assailed by the report, among them being
the speaker of the House himself. Il hope"
said he, his words being almost completely
drowned by the cheering and handclapping
with which his remarks were received on
both sides of the House and in the gal
lerieS. that the day is not far distant when,
with the general consent of the American
people, the speaker will be listened to In
The scene which followed this remark
was almost indescribable. The entire mem
bership of the House to a man wildly
cheered. The echoes had not died out
when there was another outburst of yell
ing, screaming and cries of Hear, hearr'
Speaker Cannon meantime was vigorously
rapping for order. When quiet was re-
stored Mr.. Smith said there was not a
bureau of the government that shows a
proper respect for the direct representative
Of the people. Members of Congress, he
said, constantly were being shunted off for
senators and made to wait by bureau Off
GERS. Mr.. Smiths time had expired, where
upon Mr.. Clayton asked, amid shouts of
approval, that Mr.. Smith be given thirty
minutes to conclude.
Il object" shouted Mr.. Overstreet in the
midst of the uproar Mr.: Clayton's motion
had caused. He (OverStreet then asked
unanimous consent for a continuation OF
the debate for three days.
OVERSTREET ACCUSED.
at object" came from Mr.. Williams, the
Democratic leader, who was crowded of
the floor by Mr.. Clayton. and who. facing
Mr.. Overstreet, said contemptuously, You
are the grandfather of this"
why. you only wanted an hour on each
SIDE" excitedly shouted Mr.. Gaines, OF
Tennessee.
The utmost confusion reigned. Mr.. Over.
street failed to secure an extension of the
debate for even one day on the objection OF
Mr.. Hay.
Mr.. Gardner, of New Jersey, complained
of the lncompleteness of his record in the
report. 1t was by no means a fair measure
of his activity for his constituents. "Why.'
he exclaimed, amid laughter. the people
worked will say, Why did he come here
strutting with his wing over his leg? He
did not do this for us after ALL
Mr.. Wade Qowa) said he was one of the
few members from his State not entitled
to honorable mention in the report" HI
wanted the lid taken off the pot and the
interior shown up.
Mr.. Mccall Massachusetts, argued that
the state Of the public mind with respect
to the Postofice Department was such thai
when a whisper was made by any one In
connection with postal matters that whis.
per reyerberated from one end of the coun-
try to the other. He opposed a general in
veStigatiOn at this time, saying: IF we
have any dirty linen we should wash that
linen before We engage In a general laun-
dry business"
Mr.. Mccall then submitted a motion "tC
commit the pending report of the committee
on postofices and post roads and all ac-
companying papers and communications &c
a select committee of seven, TO be appointed
by the speaker, with Instructions to con
slider said report, its origin and all com
munications therein contained relating &C
members; and that said select be
authorized fully TO investigate the same. tc
said report and any official Of the Postofice
Department in respect TO matters affecting
members of the House contained in said
report, papers and communications, and re-
port to the House the result of such investi.
CATION; and that said select committee is
hereby authorized to sit during the sessions
Of the House, eXamine witnesses on oath
I compel the attendance of witnesses and
the production of papers and to employ
such clerical assistance as may be neces-
sary and have such printing done as the
needs of the comrcittee may require"
The rest of the time was consumed by
Mr.. Payne, of New York. He had. he said
mo apprehension about the report. Harsh
shall we do?" 1t is no answer 10 say tC
another man won are another - AddraSS