The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-25

Democratic Leader. Williams
Does Ills Best to Investigate
Postofice Department. ~
PLEADS With R II B BIZ! |: J
But Party Man Insists 81, Point
#of Ordcr-F avoritisin
Charged.
lfHx Associated Preas.l

tl48 tl3y Associated &EFesS.) siti
yv4isIItN GTON, d. o., March 24.-The
House OF Representatives to-day again
Sput itself OH record against any inves-3
Btigatton# Of tho Postoffice Department
Eight pages OF tho ipostoffice approprla-
$tlcn bill were disposed Of. The question
sTartment was brought up by Mr.. WI.
sliams, the minority leader. WHO proposed
an amendment providing for u select
committee OF five members OF tho House
and three senators to mako q complete
Investigation into the alleged frauds in
that department. " He tainted he RI
5publicans for their failure to order an
ginvcstgn ton and said tho party was
opposed to 1t. 81 q IL II
The chair sustained a point Of order
by Mrs. Overstreet a gainst the amend
8nlent and when Mr.. illlams ppealcd.
the Schnii: was sus taine IL 80 to 90. 3 I'D
] Before the vote was taken, Mr.. H VIII
llinnls appealed to N1r.5 Overstreeti to with
draw his point Of order, which Mr.. Ovor,-.tS
street refused to do. A. q 58s .sS ,l5
Il Il 81 II hen tho gentleman has q per ectly
stony heart, /, said Mr.. illisms. 4 5s;
stands in between This Investigation OF
tho Postoffice Department by Congress
with his pointfo order. 3 BIZ MEX
Therelpon Mr.. Williams appealed from
the decision OF the chair. which brought
from Mr.. Overstreet an appeal to ! the
House to uphold the chair. TO do other
wise, lie said. would be q reflection Upon
tho chair and dignity Of the Hous
n Mr.. Williams inquired ~ \ fifF 4.
i38...What a docs a miserable little rule OF
the House amount to when you consider
lis the only obstruotl Ion lying between
YOU and O righteousness far grea ter than
The Righteousness Of q technical decision ~
He declared that the very essence and q
soul of good government IS honesty ones ~, ~
I tile public service and economy OF pup pup
lie administrations. 81 54s, 81.
}.iThe only way we can secure honesty
In the Postoffce Depsrtment,,1@she con-
&tinued Sis either by the gentleman with
drawing his point Of order Is Or by the
\ H ouse marching over the p ont& bodily III
a S1Ia was loudly applauded by his g! col
leagues on the Democratic side 81,
He implored Mr.. Overstreet TO WIN
draw his point ITO save the country # from ON
saying that ra ther&t than have W an IN q,
yestigation OF rottenness the House VIII
stand upon bare little parliamentary
Ftechnicality, that amounts to Eothing IN
any citizens mind He was again a p
8plauded. He said tho House can secure
an Investigation Bby$an outside authority,
mot intermingled with the corruptions
existing liz tho Postofiice Department.
by the two ways ne nag SUE sesleu..i
There is a power greater han the House.
lie declared, and it Is the people OF the
United states. "a When q gentleman makes 81
apoInt Of order tsas representative. q ms =
party, 1T Is because his party don want NJ
the Postoffico De apartment invest lga ted.
.'Won't you Mr.. Williams asked tsl 90
something to keep the great body . {
American citizeEry from believing the
&Postohlce Department Is infamous OF
Mr.. overstreet, he said, now had the
opportunity Of lifetime, that may never
come again, TO remove blots from r. N the
Department ana from the administration.
Mr. Lever! (south Carolina) criticised
tho Department for. Its discrimination
ana palpable favoritism" against the
South In the establishment OF rural free
delivery routes.
Provisions in the bill forbiddlng rural
carriers engaging in business or carry
ing merchandise. and increasing their
salaries from 5000 to s72o year. went
out or points of order.
Tho House adjourned until tomorrow,