The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-01-09
PEOPLE DEMAND
RIGID INQUIRY
ROttennssS in Postal Dspsrt
ment Will Not Down.
EXCITING DEBATE IN SENATE
SUBJECT WILL COME UP AGAIN
MONDAY.

~
Va offered a joirt resolution
providing for an Investigation Of the
Darien canal route. He said that such
waterway would be only thirty miles
IN length. and that the route had never.
been carefully investigated By enrf-
Eeers.
Mr.. Bacon Interrupted ITO ask vher,
the proposed canal was 20 be located
in view Of recent geographical changes
In South America"
III Is In the state Of Panama" re-
marked Mr. Stewart, about $50 miles
from Colombia"
Mr. Scott said that although he had
always believed in a sea level water
way ne had hesitated to press the mat
ter because he might be accused OF an
effort TO delay and binder the construc-
tor Of a canal. but such was not as
purpose He wanted a canal but want
ed the best one He asked that the
committee on interoceanic canals make
an early report upon the resolution hz
had presented.
The Scott resolution was referred to
the committee on irterOceanic canals.
Postofic9 Scandal.
The resolution for an investigation af
I
1 taken I'D. Mr. Simmons (N- 90 pre-
dicted that when the resolutions came
D5ck from the senate committee thew
would be defeated by practically the
unanimous vote Of the Republicans It
was apparent. he said. that no further
Investigation would be permitted on the
eve Of a presidential election.
Mr. Simmons made the point that the
frauds exposed by Mr. BrisroW. in
ma IL
Dility and that government funds which
Lad been wasted should De recovered 10
q court Of law
Mr. TTImaD said that a number of
Years ago he had asked that rural fires
delivery boxes be supplied to farmers
at cost. and that he had submitted q
sample box which sold for 80 cents.
This box. said Mr.. Tillman. was fur-
uished later at S1.z5 to $50 each. He
wanted 10 know whether any investiga-
tiou Of this case had been made.
Mr.. Simmons answered that the Rris-
few report exposed many such cases.
Object Of Inquiry.
ar. Simmons referred to former Az
sistant Postmaster General Heath ana
said that there was every reason why
an inquiry should be directed 10 fnd-
ng ont what his connections were Min
The pustofice scandals. re did rot Say
Perry Heath was guilty, but if he zVHs
net connected with The frauds re was
surrounded by the most curious set 1f
circumstances that had eVef bee1
known. Mr. Simmons also criticised
former Postmaster General Smith be-
cause he did not Investigate the TuI-
lGch charges.
Mr. Plstt Comm replying. said it had
been charged by the Democratic SEN
ators in direct terms that IL an iuvssU-
cation is nor nad il was because the
Republicans objected TO the investigg-
ton. Such was rot the case. that what
the Republicans had demanded was
that the postofice committee should
conduct an inquiry 10 determine wheth-
err congressional investigation was nee
essary.
Democrats Criticised.
Mr.. Platt criticised the Democrats for
their failure to express one genuine
hearty word Of praise for the president
postmaster general and the fourth as
sistant postmaster general for the good
work which they had done. Mild dis
Chalmers Of charging these officials with
dishonesty. he said, had been made but
that was all He said the only issue
between the two parties on the question
OF ordering d further investigation Of
the resolutions should be sent to the
postofHce committee to determine
whether such an investigation was ne
cessary.
Exception to the Republican position
was taken by Mr.. Carmack, who said
the Democrats are not agreed to leave
the matter entirely to the committee on
postofnCes and post roads.
We admit" he said. that Mr.. Bris-
tow's investigation was thorough. so
far as 1t went, but we deny that il was
elaborate or comprehensive.
Mr.. Plat cOntended that the commit
tee should report to the senate whether
an investigation is necessary
Investigation Needed.
Mr.. Carmack argued that such an ar
rangement would leave the entire mat
ter in the hands of the committee. The
senate now, he said, should order an in
vestigati0n. No course short Of this
would meet the demands OF the situa-
tiou. He declared that the pOstmast
general had stood in the way of an hon
est investigation, and IN view Of his
obstinate opposition and the fact that
rottenness had been found in some di-
visions Of the postOffice department. The
inference was that there had been cor
ruption in other divisions.
Mr.. Tillman charged that the Opposi-
ton to an investigation was character
lied by partisanship. There was an
apparent attempt at congressional
smothering. He did not see how honest
men could stand Up in the face Of pub
lie sentiment and try to prevent an
investigation aud allow the statute Of
limitations to prevent the prosecution
of the rasCals.
Mr. QuarIes criticised the remarks
made by Mr.. Carmack concerning the
postmaster general WheTeuDOH ar.
Carmack explained that ne referred
entirely TO Nr. Payne's predecessor
Payne's Weakness.
I'm respect to the Tullocb charges
said Air. CaTmaCk. II do not think the
present postmaster. general was as dill
igent as he might have been. Perhaps
he relied TOO much on what had been
the course % his predecessor"
AR. DolliVer said that the disclosures
of corruption in the postoffice depart
ment. instead of convincing him that
general investigation IS necessary.
showed that the business departments
of the government have been well con-
Quoted The exceptions which have been
unearthed. he said. were I'm cases
where private or secret contracts had
+ been made for the purchase of sup
plies The fact that there had been ne
es.bezlements or misapplicati0n Of
/ government funds. where a strict au-
diung system was employed. proved.
he said. that the general business is
! wei conducted.
Mr TiHman asked WY Il IS that
/ the Republicans were SO anxieus 70
/ prevent an Investigation. ne are