New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-13
BRISTOW HELD TO BLAME.
NO LEGISLATORS GUILTY..
Mccall Committees Postal Report
Soothing 10 CongreSsmen.
rrRou THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

tFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU
Washington. April 12.-The House OF Repre-
sentatiyes has examined its conscience through
the agency OF the Mccall Investigating Commit
tee, and finds neither stain nor speck. accord
tng to the report OF that committee to-day sub
lnItted to the House. The committee does. how
ever. and a mote in the eye OF Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General Joseph l. Bristow, whose
leenness OF vision enabled him 10 detect rela-
tions which he regarded as not strictly proper
between certain members OF Congress and the
much indicted George ". Beavers.
The committee presumably considered the fact
that Leonidas Felix Livingston, Representative
OF the WITH District OF Georgia, called at the
Postofice Department November %, 1eO1'
and. although a recent investigation had re-
vealed that the postofice at Conyers. Ga, was
entitled 20 only $50 year for ERIK hire, pre-
vailed upon Beavers TO allow that Office $500
year; that Mr.. Livingston secured the appoint
nent Of his grandson as clerk in the Conyers
once at q salary OF $40 a year, which salary
he continued 10 draw until July !. 1902; that
the same M Livingstcn's grandson was trans
ferred 20 another Office, and that Immediately
the clerk hire allowance OF the Conyers Office
was decreased to 500 e year.
The committee found evidence OF impro-
prey in the case, as shown by its statement
.. ( has unanimously found that no mem
tica herewith. or that any member has done in
connection with any Of said cases anything that
ala not appear TO be within the line OF his official
5uty, according TO long established custom"
SOME CASES IGNORED.
The cases involving eK-Representative Cnow
Justice Hooker in connection with the renting
OF the postofice ar Dunkirl. \. y. and ex-Rep-
rczentative Blakeney. at Port Deposit, Nd, the
committee failed TO consider. on the ground that
it's jurisdiction limited 20 present members
Of Congress. entirely overlooking the fact that
AR. Brtstow had in mind such cases as those OF
Hooker. Biskeney and briggs. when he prepared
us famous report. and that q consideration OF
these cases was essential 10 an equitable judg-
ment Of the accuracy Of the statements con-
sained In that report
IN those instances where the testimony OF the
First Assistant Postmaster General and Of the
Postmaster General, the latter substantiated by
documents refuted the testimony Of Representa-
sive Overstreet as to the responsibility FOR the
charges against members OF Congress- as Il
appeared IN print. the committee finds that the
testimony Goes not make It clear and so the
mystery still remains.
The committee crfticises Bristow FOR stating
shat Beavers used the millions appropriated for
clerk hire largely as political perouisite Tor
the benefit OF his personal and political friends
unces made by Beavers was only $1,000, entire
~ overlooking Bristow's testimony before the
committee that he referred 10 the motives
which had appeared TO actuate the allowances
snade By Beavers, rather than the amounts
which as result OF these motives, had been
improperly allowed.
PURPOSE OF THE MINORITY REPORT.
While the entire committee cOncurred in the
majority report the Democratic minority
brought IN an additional report criticising Bris-
SOW The minority charges that Brlstow caused
70 be made up the lists published in II. r. IS9o
70 support his assertion that hundred other
similar cases could be cited Fl" similar TO those
cited IN his report Of last October. The facts
Ere that Bristow caused 10 be made up a list OF
these cases last fall when the investigation Of
Beavers was still in progress. for his own per-
Eonal use. and that this list contained approx
snstely five hundred names. that Superintendent
Waters happened 10 refer 10 this list when he
appeared before the POstoffce Committee. that
the committee Immediately demanded a copy OF
she list: that Mr.. Overstreet moreover, insisted
that the list be brought up 10 date and that
Waters then caused the list to be brought up TO
date. adding some four hundred additional to
the one previously prepared, and that Bristow
never eaw nor heard OF the full list until It had
s,een sent TO the committee named.
The minority also cites two instances where
increases OF clerk hire appear TO have been al
lowed at Bristow's request. in one OF these the
evidence shows that First Assistant Postmaster
General Heath wrote Bristow that the allow
ance had been made. as the figures warranted
st. presumably the figures OF investigation,
and in the other Bristow states. under OATH that
De had no knowledge OF q letter which appears
20 have been written him by Beavers. and on
which the entire improperly OF the IS predi-
Gated.
The purpose OF the minority report is regard
ed as OBVIOUSLY the creation OF impression
that the Brfstow investigation was not thorough,
that his inspectors are untruEtworthy, and that
he has incriminated himself, thus furnishing the
Democrats with some ground on which TO base
yheir further demands for 2 general investigation
OF the Postoflce Department.