Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-31
58TH CONGRESS-,
Continued from page ~


10 the committee on Monday and is
now here to be passed Immediately, he
said. and added:
Why this haste if there is nothing
to conceal?'
1t is said German went on, that
Congress must adjourn speedily; that
from one source request amounting
to orders has gone out; that it is in
convenient for one branch of govern
ment to have Congress on its hands:
that if there is delay there are likely
10 De dlsagreeable differences from
what has already developed"
All the actions of those in author
lty had supported this published re-
port showing that Congress was pro-
posing to surrender to the mysterious
power demanding adjournment In the
race of Mr. Lincoln's greatness. he said.
the Senate had insisted on Investigate
ing the conduct of the Civil war. After
the close of that war there had been
much corruption and then the Repub-
mean majority in the Senate did not
hesitate to authorize investigation.
so he said, you may follow it
through all administrations to McKin-
ley's and there will be found no denial
Of the right of inquiry"
Mckinley. he continued. was only too
Slad to afford opportunity for examina-
tlon OF the conduct of the Spanish war,
He was a wise and patriotic mun
ana had nothing to conceal" said Cor
man, and he knew that the honesty
ana falr dealing of his administration
should be subject to examination. We
have reached Il time when there is
much preaching of honesty and high
mindedness. but corruption bubbles out.
1t came like a fog and has not yet lit
ed and we cannot tell whether all the
information is yet out
German said the charges made bv
the post Office department. he believed
had been made for the purpose of di-
verting attention from the guilty ones
who had filchcd money from the treas
ury and abused their trusts As for
himself. he was of the opinion that
members had not done more in the
matter than their public duties re-
quired. 1t was coming 10 be that only
an executive order was necessary TO
get an appropriation.
The power of patronage is great"
he went on. The commissioner Of
pensions is relieved ana sent out of
the country ana another man brought
to Washington ana given Il place. But
that is not enough. TIE pension roll
is increased by executive order to the
extent of from $4,000. 900 to S15 1000 O0Q.'
lie (Gorman) had never made an objoc-
ton 20 liberal pensions. but his criticism
was that Congress was becoming a mere
recording body.
lie then referred to some of the pend
ing legislation and included in the list
t'oraker's bill for the amendment of the
antitrust law regarding transportation.
tie referred to Attorney General Knox :
statement regarding this bill. saying that
1t was nor departmental order.
t'oraker said the attorney general had
not given out this statement until chal-
lenSed to do so by the Democratic press
and that he tFOraker) had taken no rX-
ception to this expression of his opinion
though ordinarily he would consider it
wait until legislation should reach him
III the regular order OF business. Sine >
the recent decision of the supreme court
he was not so sure that the legislation
intended by the bill was necessary
This remark. German, retorted. was
the uttcrance of q true soldier in the
ranks. Discussing the antitrust law and
Fnrakcrs amendment. German said th..
idea was that all should lie left in the
hands Of the executive and that nothing
should be done until after November next.
Meantime. he continued the law would
he suspended and the matter controlled
by executive order with the result that
trade conditions would be 50 disturbed
that the farmers Of the Southwest would
continue TO go in enormous bodies to tt
country across the line.
the American people do not want