The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-01-12
q Z.
SCANDALS OF
POSTOFF FF|CES
FREELY DISCUSSED BY THE
SENATORS.
Congressional Investiga-
ton Urged.
GOVERNMENT DEFENDED
GOVERNMENT DEFENDED

Resolutions Calling for investiga-
tion Laid Over Until Monday--No
Saturday Session Of Either Branch.
Washington, ID. c., Jan. s The up.
per body of congress today heard Mf
Scott, of West Virginia. in brief
advocacy of the construction of an
isthmian canal across Darien, and
then lapsed into discussion of the
postofice scandals.
Mr.. Carmack (Dem.. Tenn), Mr.
Simmons Dem, N. Co., Mr.. Tillman
Dem., s. c., and Mr.. Teller (Colo)
urged congressional investigation.
Mr.. Platt, of Connecticut, bore the
briint of their verbal assaults upon
the administrations policy. being as
sisted by Mr. Quarter. of Wisconsin
1t had been previously agreed that
half dozen resolutions, calling for
congressional investigation be refer
red today to the committee on post
offices and post roads. but they were
carried over until Monday, when the
discussion will be continued.
The house passed the bill appro
priating S250,000 to aid the secretary
of Agriculture in fighting the boil
weevil in Texas.
There will be no session of either
body tomorrow.
SENATE.
Washington. d. c.. Jan. S.-Imme-
diately after the opening of the SEN
ate today, Mr.. Scott (Rep.. W. Va,
offered resolution providing for the
appointment of board to investigate
and report upon the practicability Of
the isthmus of Darien.
In asking that 1t be referred to the
committee on interoceanic canal. Mr.
Scott declared that he had been and
is now convinced that such a water
way was the only feasible project
and he presented figures to sustain his
contention.
At the conclusion, of the routine
business the chair laid before the
senate all of the resolutions referring
to a purposed investigation of the
postoffice department.
Mr. Simmons Dem.. S. c., in at
tacking the motion to refer the resolu-
tions to committee declared that the
majority did not want any further
investigation, and that when the reso-
lutions came again before the senate
in modified form, they would De
voted down.
mot because 1t is believed con.
gressional investigation would aid the
l,<
jority of this body is afraid to go to
the bottom of the corruption"
He declared that If four divisions of
one branch of the postoffice depart
ment were discovered to be literally
reeking with frauds and corruption, 1t
was a reasonable inference of the ex-
istence of irregularities In the other
branches, which had not been in
quired into. 1t was merely legal in.
vestigation," he said, such as dis
trict attorney might make. 1t was re-
stricted and limited to a person of
the Office of the first assistant post.
master general"
Mr.. Simmons used the laxity of the
legislative safeguards in the postofice
department as basis for the declar.
alton that opportunity existed In 9TH
er departments for the abstraction OF
millions of dollars.
In replying, Mr. Platt (Rep., Conn.,
said he protested against the declara-
tions from the minority that the Re-
publican senators were opposed to fer
reting out crime. He said the issue
that had been raised was an assumed
one that did not exist. He thought the
Investigation by the department had
been thorough. reientness and suffl-
cient. II the senate committee on
postoffices and post roads disagreed
otherwise, he said there would be no
voice raised on the Republican side
OF the chamber for further inquiry.
He thought 1t significant that not
one word of praise had come from the
minority, in recognition of the re-
suits of the investigation.
Mr.. Carmack (Dem., TENN, said he
did not believe In leaving the aues.
tion entirely in the discretion of a
senate committee, though he was will
ing that the committee should at once
consider the resolutions and make an
early report
Mr.. Burrows (Rep., Mlch.), thought
the senate committee was capable of
Judging whether the inquiry should
proceed further.
Mr.. Tillman (Dem.. s. c., remarked
that he had. a year ago. offered a ru-
raj free delivery box to the govern
ment at a cost of SO cents. THAT
box is now costing $3.50"
There is stealing somewhere de.
clared the senator. who got The
mona In the past? Who is getting
1t now?"
He said he could not understand
why the government permitted the
statutes of limitation to run aga;nst
government criminals.
The spirit Of nartisansbin h,i,,.r..