The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-09
Claimed Republicans Are COV-
 ering Up Nrongdoing
HEATH BITTERLY ASSAILED
Democrats Insist That Thorough Inves- tigaton Be Made In the Senate, Which Is Opposed By
 the Majority.

Washington, January s.-Aleged post office frauds were under r.scusslon in the senate today. the subject being opened by a set speech by Mir. Simmons, of North Carolina, who insisted there should be an investigation by the senate into the charges. MT. Platt, of Connecticut denied that the republicans were trying to cover up any wrong in the postofhce depart ment.
 The discussion was participated in by Messrs Burrows, Deliver and Quarrels, and Messrs. Carmack Tillman and Teller. The republican contention was that there had been a thorough investigation by the postoffce department, and that senate investigation was now being pressed hy the democrats for partisan purposes The democrats insisted that there were facts and charges that the republicans were trying to smother. Perry Heath was bit- terly assalled and former Postmaster General Smith was criticised by democrat- ic senators.
 The senate adjourned until Monday.
 When the senate met today Mir. Scott, of West Virginia, offered joint resolu- ton providing for an investigation of the Darien canal route. He made a brief speech in support of the proposition for A sea level canal, stating that such a water way would be only thirty miles in length. The route had never been carefully in- vestigated by engineers, but he felt sure that when it was thoroughly examined it t.a . ...t,, tcal. He said that the tunnel which & sea level canal would require was not im- possible in this day of electricity and in- vention.
 MT. Bacon Interrupts.
 Mir Bacon interrupted to ask where the proposed canal was to be located in view of the recent geographical changes in South America. A
 Ut is in the state of Panama" remark- ed Mir Stewart. about 150 miles from Colombia"
 MT Scott said that although he had al- ways believed In sea level waterway, he had hesitated to press the matter be- cause he might be accused of an effort 10 delay and hinder the construction of canal, but such was not his purpose lie wanted a canal, but wanted the best one. He asked that the committee on inter- oceanic canals make an early report upon the resolution he had presented The Scott resolution was referred to the com mittee on inter oceanic canals.
 The resolution for the investigation of the post office department was then taken up. MT. Simmons of North Carolina said 1t was clearly the purpose of the repnbll- cans not to permit any further inquiry into the frauds and scandal of the post office department He predicted that when the resolutions came back rom the senate committee they would be de- feated by the practical unanimous vote of the republicans.
 If was apparent he said, that no fur ther investigation will be permitted on the eve of a presidential election.
 Speaking of the Brstow inquiry MT. Simmons said the reports of that inquiry showed 1t to be one directed solely into crimes committed within the department. and that the varous bureaus were not subjected to the general search for the disclosure of irregularities, not punishable as crimes.
 Not Found In Every Department.
 q do not charge that every branch of the department Is reeking with fraud, said he. but 1t will be difficult to con- vince the people that such Is not the case. The investigation that has been had is mostly of legal character"
 MT Simmons made the point that the frauds exposed by MT. Bristow in nearly every instance from civil liability and that government funds which had been wasted should be recovered in a court of law.
 MT Tiliman said that a number of years ago he had asked that rural free delivery boxes be supplied to farmers at cost and that he submitted a sample box which sold for fifty cents This box, said MT. Tillman. was furnished at SIPS and s1 50 each. He wanted to know wheth- CT any investigation of this case had been made.
 Mir Simmons answered that the Bris- tow report exposed many such cases
 MT. Simmons referred to former As- sistant Postmaster General Heath, and said there was every reason why an in- qury should be directed to finding out what his connections were with the post office scandals. He did not say Perry Heath guilty, but if he was not con- rected with the frauds. he was surround ed by the most curious set of circum- stances that ever had been known.
 MT Simmons also criticized former Post master General Smith because he had not the Tuioch case Speaking of Mir Tulloch Mir Simmons said: Who knows but that his dismissal was for the purpose of intimdating other employees who might have had information for the exposure of frauds"
 When Mir Simmons concluded. MT. Platt New York said 1t had been charged by the democratic senator in direct terms that if an investigation was not had it was because the republicans objected to the investigation He said such was not the case. What the republicans had de- manded was that the postoffice depart ment should direct an inquiry whether investigation was neces- sary MT. Platt crticized the democrats for their failure to express one genuine hearty word of praise for the President. postmaster general and fourth assistant postmaster general for the good work ione
 Mild disclaimers of any intention of charging these officials with dishonesty had been made he said. but that was all. He said the only issue between the two parties on the question of ordering further investigation of the postoffice de- Dartment was whether the resolution should he sent to the postoffice commit ee to determine whether such an investi- yation was necessary Regarding 10 the -epublican position was taken up by Mir. -armack. who said the democrats are not