Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-06
Democrats Looking for Cam
paign Material.
TAKEN UP IN SENATE
SENATOR CLAY CALLS FOR CON-
GREsSIONAL INVESTIGATION.
Quotes From the Bristow Report
Senator Spooner Defends the
Postmaster General.


The democrats of both houses of Congress
are manifesting a disposition to urge the
investigation of the Post Office Department
and to call for information upon the inves-
legations which have been pursued by the
department officials. The post office COM
mfttee of the House and the corresponding
committee Of the Senate have before them
resolutions Of inquiry and investigation
which they are considering. The democrats
in each body seize every opportunity to
harass the majority and to charge dilatori-
ness in the conduct of the Investigations
demanded
Up to this time the republicans have
permitted the democrats to do most of the
talking. In the Senate, however. this after
noon Senators Carmack, Clay and German
provoked the majority to pay some atten-
ton to the case. Senator Lodge responded
for the republicans, and in a speech which
was more imprisoned and partisan than
he usually delivers took up the gage OF de-
fiance which was thrown down by the OPP
position. Senator Lodge bluntly declared
that the majority consider the efforts of the
democrats in the direction of postal inves-
tigation to be merely for the purpose OF
making political capital, and he emphati
not be hurried and that they would make
all investigations and call for all kinds of
information in their own way and In their
own good time.
It is evident to all that the democrats In
tend to utilize the postal scandals for all
that can be made out Of them in the COM
ing campaign. Senator Clay's speech today
was regarded by his colleagues as good
campaign material. and 1t probably will be
used by the democratic committee as q
campaign document
When the Senate met today Mr.. Morgan's
resolution declaring that the President has
no power to declare war was read but at
the request Of Mr.. Morgan 1t went over for
the day.
Mr.. Carmack's Resolution.
The resolution Of Mr.. Carmack directing
the Postmaster General to send to the SEN
ate the papers connected with the Post Of
fee Department Irregularities and provid-
up. and Mr.. Lodge moved Its reference to
tie committee on post offices.
Mr. Carmack resisted this motion, deelar-
ing that If departmental Irregularities were
to be inve stigated orly by the departments
themselves 1t would not be long until they
would be "a stencil In the nOstr1ls Of the
people, The only safeguard was in con-
gressional investigation, he said. He men,
toned number of such inquiries which
had brought out important facts. and urged
that the inquiry be permitted.
Mr.. Teller expressed the opinion that the
Post Office Department would make a
thorough investigation. but contended that
the legislative branch should retain the
right to make an inquiry.
Mr.. Lodge did not believe that an investi-
cation should be entered upon until the
matter had been inquired into by COM
mittee.
Perry Heath's Alleged Implication.
hat
should be opposition to the resolution, and
he called attention to the declarations by
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bris-
tow and Counselors Bonaparte and Conrad
that the investigation should be carried
further. He declared that the Bristow re-
port demonstrates the absolute guilt of
the late first assistant postmaster general,
Mr.. Heath He (Brtstow) says himself that
this leading high official was guilty. and
Mr.. Heath should have been indicted. I will
do Mr.. Bristow the credit to say that his
report shows that the frauds of the Post
Office Department originated in Heath's Of
fee. If so, he must have had cogniZance OF
them. Then why should the subordinates in
that office be indicted and the principal al
lowed to eScape?'
i, Mr.. Clay quoted extracts from the Bris-
tow report to substantiate his argument,
referring especially to the purchase of cash
registers, in which connection Mr.. Bristow
said that the element Of fraud could not be
eliminated. '1f," he said. this report
speaks the truth, Perry Heath originated
all the frauds in his office
"If" he continued, "the report Is not cor
rect the fact should be known and Mr..
Heath INDICATED. If the charges are we'll
punished" AS for himself. he did not want
to do any injustice to Mr.. Heath or others,
and for this reason he desired the investiga-
ton.
Reference also was made to the negotia-
tons with D. 8. Richardson concerning the
Montague indicator in which Mr.. Clay said
there were many suspicious features point
ing to Mr.. Heath.
Calls for an Inquiry.
Mr.. Clay declared his conviction from a
thorough reading of the Bristow report that
Mr.. Bristow had been satisfied beyond a
doubt that the guiltiest party of all was the
retired first assistant postmaster general.
yet he has never been indicted or arrested.
I'm the interest of fair play, In the interest
OF justice, in the interest Of good govern
ment and clean administration" he said.
there should be an inquiry, and am sur
prised that my friend the senator from
Massachusetts (Mr. LODGE should object"
Mr.. Clay also declared that the President
had reflected seriously upon Mr.. Heath and
had desired the retirement of Mr.. Heath
from the secretaryship Of the republican
national committee.
Favors an Investigation. -
Mr.. Penrose, chairman of the committee
on post Offices and post roads. expressed
his wish that there should be an investiga-
ton, but added that inasmuch as there was
disagreement to the phraseology he pre-
ferred to have the entire question referred
to the committee on post offices, pledging
himself to call an early meeting for the
purpose of taking the question up.
Mr.. Teller said that II for no other rea-
son than that criminal charges were made
against senators and members Of the House
of observation-disclosures which II true
would send the persons complained of to
prison-an investigation should be made.
Later he spoke of the newspaper reports
that a lease of a post office building was
owned by United States senator. and also
quoted the press reports saying that the
Post Office Department had explained that
ha leaSa II, this ld boon