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WILMINGTON nT c. SATURDAY- JANUARY 9, 1904. VOL. XVII. NO. 8. FIVE CENTS ALL FACTS Demand that Full Light be Turned on P. 0. Affairs SIMMONS SPEAKS The Senator From North Carolina In sisted Tiiat an Investigation be Made by the Senate -Mr. Piatt Contended That the Postoffice Com mission Should Ascertain What Was to be Investigated Several Senators Engage in tlie Discussion. Tluy House Appropriates $250,000 to Fight the Cotton Boll Weevil. Washington, January S. Alleged' postoffice frauds were under discus sion in the Senate today, the subject being opened in a set speech by Mr. Simmons, of North Carolina, who in sisted there should be an investiga tion by the Senate into the charges. Mr. Piatt, of Connecticut, denied that the Republicans were trying to cover up any wrong doing in the postoffice department, and suid they were sim ply contending that the postotfice commission should ascertain what was to be investigated. The discussion was participated in bv Messrs. Burrows, Dolliver and Quarles on the Republican side and Messrs. Carmack, Tillman and Teller of the Democratic side. Mr. Simmons said it was clearly the purpose of the Republicans not to permit any further inquiry into the frauds and scandals of the depart ment. He predicted that when the resolutions came back from the Sen ate committee, they would be defeat ed by practically the unanimous vote of the Republicans. It was appar ent, he said, that no further investi gation would be permitted on the eve of a presidential election. Mr. Simmons made the point that the frauds exposed by Mr. Bristow in nearly every instance form a civil liability and that government funds which had been wasted should be re covered in a court of law. Mr. Tillman said that a number of years ago he had asked that rural free delivery boxes be supplied to farmers at cost and that he had sub mitted .a sample box which sold for .ilfty cents. This box. said Mr. Till man, was furnished later at $1.25 and $l.f0 each. He wanted to know whether any investigation of this case had been made. Mr. Simmons answered that the Bristow report exposed many such cases. Mr. Simmons referred to former Assistant Postmaster General Heath, and said that there was every reason why an inquiry should be directed to finding out what . his connections were with the postofflce scandals. He did, not pay Perry Heath was guilty, but if he was not connected With the frauds" he was surrounded by. th most curious set of circumstances that had ever been known. Mr. Sim mons also criticised former Postmas ter General Smith, because he did not investigate the Tulloch charges. Speaking of Mr. Tulloch's experience :e r. P n i a in the postotfice department, M Simmons said: "Who knows but what his dismissal was for the purpose of intimidating employes who might have had in formation for the exposure of frauds." When .Mr. Simmons concluded, Mr. Piatt, of Connecticut, said it had been charged by the Democratic Sen ators in direct terms that if an in vestigation is not had. it would be because the Republicans objected to the investigation. .He said that such was not the case; that what the Re publicans had demanded was that the postoir.ee committee snould conduct an inquiry to determine whether a congressional investigation, is neces sary. Kx- eptions to the Republican po sition was' taken by Mr. Carmack, who said that the Democrats are not agreed to leave the matter entirely to the committee, on postofflce and postroads. "We admit." he said. "That Mr. Bristow's investigation was thorough, as it went, but we deny that it w:ts elaborate, -r comprehen sive." Mr. Piatt concluded that the com- mi t tee is .to report to the Senate whether an investigation is necessary and Mr. Carmack argued that such an arrangement would 1 ave the en tire mutter" in the hands of the com mittee. The Senate now, he said, should order an investigation. No course short of this would meet th demands of the situation. He de clared that the postmaster general had stood in the way of an honest in vestigation, and in view of his obsti nate opposition and in view of the fact that rottenness had been found in some divisions of the postoffice department, the inference was that there, had been corruption in other divisions. For this reason he wanted an investigation and he would have it non-partisan in character. Mr. Tillman charged that the op position to an investigation was char acterized by partisanship. There wa an apparent attempt at congression al smothering. He did not see how honest men could stand up in the face of public sentiment and try to prevent an investigation, and allow the statute of limitations to "prevent the prosecution of the rascals." Mr. Quarles criticised the remarks made by Mr. Carmack concerning: the postmaster general and Mr. Carmack explained that he referred entirely to to the Tulloch charges," said Ttill Chances that Hos- Carmack, "I do not think the pres ent postmaster general was as dili gent as he might have been. Perhaps he relied too much upon what had been the cause of his predecessor." Mr. Dolliver said the disclosures of corruption in the postoffice depart ment, instead of convincing him that general investigation is necessary, has had the effect of showing that the business departments of the govern-) ment have been well conducted. Mr. Tillman asked why it is that the Republicans were so anxious to nrpvmit- an investigation. "We are trying to turn the rascals out," said he, "while you are trying to keep them In. You have much to gain by refusing to shed light on the depart ment. "We have much to gain by exposing corruption." Before answer was made to the question. Mr. Till man at the top of his voice pro pounded another ouestion. "What LUUUl lliiai lice uv.n.i J t-'.r . the man who had that business in charge has not been investigated." "You can't convince the chief of the rural free delivery service that he has not been investigated," re sponded Mr. Dolliver. "No, 'the inquiry concerning the boxes were confined to boxes for cities," said Mr. Tillman. "And what nbnnt Mr. Heath? Bristow says he needs investigating, but you could not convince Mr. Heath of that either, 3 suppose Mr.. Dolliver replied that he had read the Bristow report and had found no charge that Mr. Heath needed investigating. Mr. Tillman started to read the references to Mr. Heath and while looking for the place,' said caustically, "Well, if he was not besmirched by the report he Was tattooed he is a tattooed man. Mr. Teller said that the only sug gestion of a political purpose in an investigation had come rrom the Re publicans. He said there was a gen eral public demand for the investi gation. "If it is not made in accord ance with the demand," he said, "You will hear such a roar as will make you tremble in your seats. Further consideration of the inves tigation resolutions was postponed until Monday, to which time the Sen ate adjourned. s THE HOUSE. Washington, January S. The House today made available the sum of $250,000 to be used to meet the emergency caused by the ravages of the cotton boll weevil and other in sects and diseases affecting cotton The measure had the support of both sides and was adopted without divis ion. The sum is diverted from the half million dollars appropriated last year to eradicate the diseases among cattle. Mr. Burleson, of Texas, explained that the bill simply diverted money heretofore appropriated for another purpose and did not make a new ap propriation. He urged the impor tance of the passage of the bill to the cotton srowing sections, from the history of boll weevil and what It has done. Mr. G'llette, of Massachusetts, call ed attention to another insect th gypsy moth which had been brought to New England and which he said was equally dangerous and should re ceive attention with a view to its ex termination. Mr. Roebrteson. of ArkansasTspoke for the bill. Mr. Slayden. of Texas, in urging its passage said he hoped the bill would not be jeopardized by amendments. Mr. Gardner, of Michigan, said ne believed it would be establishing a bad precedent to pass the bill. Mr.. Gillette, of Massachusetts, of fered an amendment for an addition al flnnrnnrifitlon of $250,000 for the eradiction of the Egyptian moth. The speaker sustained a point of order against the amendment and the bill was nassed without division. It Drovides that the sum made available, may be expended by the secretary of p-ripiiltnrp in such manner as ne shall deem best, in co-operation with state experiment stations and prac tical cotton growers if the secretary of agriculture shall deem it advisable to meet the emergency caused by the ravages of the cotton boll weevil and other insects affecting cotton. Pension bills to number of 115 were considered in committee of the whole and passed. The House adjourned until Monday. OFFER TO MEDIATE Good Offices of United Suites Ten dered to Japan and Russia. Washington. January S. Representa tive Slayden, Democrat Texas, intro duced a resolution in the House today requesting the President to tender the good offices or mediation of the Unit ed States to Russia and Japan. The resolution says: "Whertas, Warlike difficulties are now threatened between Psussi.i and Japan, which countries, as well as th United States, are signatories to The Hague peace convention, "Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of: America in Congress assembled, that the President be requested to tender the good offices or mediation of t un united -States to Russia and Japan with relation to their present dispute, and to remind them, in accordance with The Hague peace convention that the per manent court of arbitration is cp?n V) them." Appointed Special Assistant Attorney General. Washington, January S. Colonel W. Leaken, an attorney of Savannah. Ga.. today was appointed special as sistant attorney general. Col. Leaken will have, charge cf important cases for the government in the gulf states. NOT CERTAIN tilities May be Averted IN THE FAR EAST The Diplomats Are Negotiating Over iTerms That Can be Agreed On Russia's Concession to Japan Has A Tendency Toward Bringing About a Peaceful Solution A Ru mor That the Two Fleets Ilave Met in Collision is Not Credited. London, January 8. A special dis patch from Tokio under today's date after recording the arrival of the Russian reply, adds: "Diplomacy has not said its last word and there are still hopes that hostilities may be averted. From the Russian legation it is announced that the negotiations continue." The Russian ambassador, Count Benkendorff, and the Japanese min ister. Baron Hayashi visited the for eign office today and had half hour conferences with Lord Lansdowne, to whom the text of the Russia reply to Japan was communicated. The British government is contin uing its efforts in the interests of peace. St. Petersburg, January 8. Mr. Kurino, the Japanese minister, to night authorized the Associated Press to say that the Japanese government still was doing everything in its pow er in the interests of peace and that all reports about the sending of troops to Corea were without foun dation. Minister Kurino said he thought that the negotiations had made some progress. Tokio, January 8. The Japanese government has practicaly determin ed to continue negotiations. It is dis satisfied with Russia's terms, but does not feel warranted in issuing an ulti matum or breakine off negotiations and will make another effort to se cure their modification before resort ing to force. It is anticipated that the discussion will consume a few weeks, during which interim a break of the peace is very Improbable. Paris, January 8. The Associated Press learns that in the" opinion of the French government there is still a chance of avoiding a conflict be tween Russia and Japan, as a result of a concession made by Russia in her latest note. The dispatches which have come to Paris from all quarters today have been most pessi mistic, and the hopefulness of the government is in strong contrast with them. It appears that Russia's concession relates to the recognition of the pre ponderance of the interests; of Japan in Corea. This has been the crux of the question between trie two powers up to the present moment. Just how far the concession goes it is impos sible to learn, but the effect in Tokio, according to the information obtain ed, has been more satisfactory than the press dispatches show and it is believed the negotiations will con tinue Hong Kong, January 8. A de tachment of two hundred and fifty men of the Sherwood Foresters, (Not tinghamshire and Derbyshire regi ment) forming part of the garrison of Hong Kong, has suddenly been warned to be in readiness for active service. The destination of the troops has not been divulged. The authori ties refuse all information on the subject, but it is presumed the troops are going to Pekin or Seoul. The de tachment is ready and other trans port arrangements have been com pleted. London, January 8. The British home fleet left Portland today for the Spanish coast, after coaling to the full capacity. The fleet will thus be in readiness to replace the channel squadron in the event of the latter being required to fill up vacancies in the Mediterranean squadron, should vessels be ordered thence to the far east. Seoul, Corea. January 8. An Ital ian cruiser has arrivea in tne narpor of Chemulpo and a German warship is expected there. The legations are all guarded by detachments of marines belonging to various nations. it is anticipatea that in the event of a military revolt the Emperor will take refuge in one of the European legations. London, January 8. The Kobe correspondent of the Daily Express Fends a scare rumor to the effect that a collision between the Russian and the Japanese fleets has taken place near the Islands of 'Taushima, in the Strait of Corea. This rumor is not mentioned in any other source, and in view of the fact that the Japanese government is exercising a censorship of all news concerning naval matters, it may be safely disregarded CELEBRATED JACKSON DAY OLD UICKOItY CLUB DINES PROMINENT DEMOCRATS. Letters of Regret Were Read from Cleveland. Hill, Cockran, Tillman and Others Congressman "Williams Also Absent. Philadelphia, January 8. The princi pal leaders of the two wings of the Democratic pirty of Philadelphia were brought together tonight by the old Hickory club vhich gave a dinner in celebration of Jackson day. Democrats of promience throughout the State and several members ol Congress were pres ent. Letters of regret from ex-Presi dent Cleveland. United States Senators McCreary. of Kentucky, and Tillman, of South Carolina; David B. Hill and W. iBourke Cochran, were read. Mr Cleveland's tetter was dated December 26th, and stated that other engagements prevented his attendance. He said: "Of cous I need not tell you how ful ly I am in sympathy with the objects and purposes of the cub, and how ful ly I believe in the usefulness of its ef forts in the cause of true Democracy." Mr. Hill in his letter said: "The best interests oi the country re quire a change of admnistration. The people want sanity, nther than hys teria in the managemeit of public af fairs; stability rather than fickleness; honorable diplomacy rather' than inter national intrigue; straight-forwardness rather than fakerism, and honesty rath er than curruption. Wih wise coun sels, live issues, consevafive candidates and unity of action the democracy can win the contest of 1904." Senator Tillman In. seiding his re grets said: "Tb?e sentiment which r, would pro pose to the Democrats wlo will honor the memory of Jackson at the banquet Friday next would be this: This Dem ocratic party will live as long as it deserves to, and will commaid the sup port of a majority of the people when It shall demonstrate its adlerence to the grand principles of the fathers. When we stand for the people vnd their rights in a manner so unmfctakable that they cannot be mislead, tht people will support the party in preference to any other. The two wings of the party must 'flap together' if we are to fciake any progress. We must ignore iast differences on matters of policy, but no candidate can succeed who' is obnox ious to the south and west, just as no candidate has succeeded who was ob noxious to the east. We must find a man who can command the respect and loyal support of all patriots, and with such a man we will win, because the times are threatening, and all conser vative men without regard to party will support such a candidate. Penn sylvania Democrats can not give us any electoral votes. Let them not under take to dictate a policy or present a candidate who can only revive the bit terness of the past and make success impossible." Congressman John S. Williams, of Mississippi, who had prepared a speech on "The Principles of Andrew Jackson" was unable to be present, and it was read by iMichael Francis 'Doyle, a mem ber of the club. WILL BE NEUTRAIi. Asiatic Squadron Will be Ordered to Subig Bay. Washington, January 8. The Far Eastern situation was discussed at the cabinet meeting today, special consid eration being given the movement of the Asiatic squadron which, it is desir ed, shall be so shaped as to emphasize the absolute neutrality of this country in the event of hostilities between Rus sia and Japan. After the meeting it was announced that orders would be cabled Rear Admiral Evans upon his arrival at Guam tomorrow to proceed thence to Subig Bay, it being desired that the American navy shall observe "good sea manners" by not going to Japanese or Russian waters just now. NOMINATION" HELD UP. Senators Discuss President's Right to Appoint a 31inister to Panama. Washington, January 8. In the executive session of the Senate today the nomination of W. I. Buchanan to be minister to Panama was discussed for more than two hours, the debate being confined almost entirely to the constitutional right of the President to appoint a minister to the new re public without the co-operation of the Senate. ' The point was raised by the Demo crats that the position to which Mr. Buchanan was nominated was not in existence when the appointment was made and that the President had no right to create the position except with the consent of the Senate. The Democrats who supported this posi tion were Senators Morgan. Bacon, Bailey, Pettus and Blackburn. Re publican Senators almost unanimous ly supported the action of the Pres ident. They declared that he acted wholly within his constitutional, pre rogatives. The principal arguments on that side of the question were made by Senators Lodge, Cullom, MfComas, Spooner, Fairbanks and j Allison. No decision was reached. ! WOT SENATOR Case of Bribery Against Dietrich Comes to End PRECEDENT SET The .Judge Decided That Dietrich Was Not a Senator at the Time the Alleged Acts Occurred The Op in- ion a One an P,baWy Sets a Precedent Upon This De- cision the Case Against Postmaster Fisher Was Not Pressed Decision in Driggs Case Differs from This. Omaha. Ne.. January i-The tria. of Senator Charles H. Dietrich for alleged bribery, in connection with the appointment of a postmaster at Hastings, Neb., came to an abrupt end today, when the United States circuit court. Judge-Van de Vanter presiding, decided that Dietrich was not a Senator at the time the alleged acts occurred. The onlnion was n lengthy one and is said to be a pre cedent. Upon this decision, District Attor ney Sumners entered a nolle in other cases against the Senator, with the statement that the construction placed on the laws by the court precluded further proceedings against either Senator Dietrich or Postmaster Fish er, both of whom were discharged. District Attorney Sumners stated to the court that the government had not within his knowledge, ever placed a man on trial on what might be termed a technical violation of the I law. He said that under the con- struction placed upon Section 1781. I Eifcrich had enjoyed the lease but a short time after he had become a United States Senator, that is after taking tr oatn He said that al- though he or reeivori T-ntnie from I April 24 to lcember 2nd. under the courts construutfon of .the Section there had been no Eolation of the law The property was ceded to Senator Dietrich's daughter sirtly after De cember 2. 1901. "I wojd not," said the district attorney, "asK a jury to return a verdict of guilty igalnst a man under any circumstances, unless I believed such a verdict to be u the interest of justice." The court therefore, on motion oi the district attorney, entered a nolle to the indictment, which cleared the docket of the cases against Dietrich and Fisher. In his opinion Judge Van de Venter said: "The two houses of Congress, .un der the constitution are the only judges of who shall sit as members of their respective bodies. The dis trict attorney has admitted that there was no session of Congress from March 28th, the date of the election by the legislature of Senator Dietrich, and x December 2nd, the date of the convening of Congress. Until the lat ter date, there could be no question raised as to his actual membership in the Senate, nor could ha qualify before that body until that time. Until then it was not known wheth er he would be permitted to enter upon his duties as a United States Senator and as tne representative of the people of Nebraska before that body." The opinion then defines the mean ing of members elect, ex-members and members of Congress and closes: "Our opinion, therefore, is that this defendant was not a United States Senator at the time of the acts charged in his indictment, within the inhibition of this statute. The jury is instructed to find a verdct of not guilty." Immediately the verdict was order ed for defendant, District Attorney Sumners announced that he wished to enter a nolle in the case of Jacob Fisher, postmaster at Hastings, ex plaining his motion by saying: "If Charles H. Dietrich was not a member of Congress, until after De cember 2, 1901, and the court has held that he was not, then Jacob Fisher cannot be put on trial for or on account of agreeing to pay or pay ing certain sums of money to him or performing- contracts for him dur ing the months from July to October, 1901, under a contract made with him as a member of Congress whereby Jacob Fisher was to be appointed postmaster." , The court made the order. New York, January 8. Former Congressman Driggs, who was con victed here yesterday of receiving compensation for aiding in the pro curement of a contract with the gov ernment, in his defense, set forth that although he had been elected a Con gressman he had not taken his seat at the time of the improper transac tion. Mr. Driggs attorney contended throughout that his client was not a Congressman until he had actually taken the oath of office, but the prose cuting attorney maintained: that the defendant was a member of Con gress from March 4th when the pre ceding House of Representatives ad journed. Judge Thomas left to the jury to decide whether the term aa Congressman had actually begun at the time In question and the Jury brought in a verdict of guilty. MUST WORK SEVEN HOURS GOVERNMENT EMPLOYES SHALL LABOR FROM 9 A. M. TO P. M. A Unanimous Decision Reached by . the Cabinet Affects 1 0,009 Ekm- ployes Throughout afl Cke Comn- try. Washington, January i-JSi unani mous decision was reached by tke cabinet today that the hours of IxTxx for government employees stall bf from 8 m-unt" 4:39 p- - -ha,f vru mat nine Deing allowed for luncheon. The new regulation will ap ply only to the executive department and will go into effect next Monday. Heretofore the departmental hottrw have ben from 9 to 4 o'clock, with u half hour for luncheon. Tha decision reached today affects not only the em. ZnTuXZ country. Tu . ... ra1Sea oy impro priations committees of the Homse and Senate on applications made to them D tne neads of several departments ror additional clerks. It was polntedi out by the committees that tko law dis- 7' a day and that under the present sys- j tehi the government was getting only six ana a nalf hours 'of labor. The committees urged that as a matter of economy in the employment ofaddlUon. present employees are to beruired to work full seven hours. The eci6a I affects- 100.000 employees and adh? I 114 1-2 hours of labor annuallr to each. employees time GENEItAX. GORDON'S CONDITION. Patient Grows Weaker and at the- Last Bulletin Was Delirious. Miami, Fla., January 8. General Gordon has rested fairly well today, taking nourishment from Ume to time. While no decided change had taken place, late this afternoon his condition was not regarded a being so favorable as during the day. He is suffering tonight (from abdominal painst which at times are errere. Th physicians are. with the patient con- stantly, relieving each other, but one of them beng at all times wthin esy call. 1 ne following Duiietin waa issued uy Doctors Gramlin and JaokBort at 6 P, m-: "General John B. Gordon hae paroed a restless afternoon with considerable pain in stomach. Temperature .has risen to 102 2-5 with irregular and weak pulse. At this time, ho Is rest ing more quietly than any time erince noon." The following bulletin waa isssed at; 11 o'clock tonight: "General Gordon's condition: Temperature 101 pulse 96. Much pain in etomach. rrstleaa at intervals. Delirious." JAPAN BUYS A CRUISTCIU An Option Secured on the Turkis Cruiser Medjidio. Philadelphia, January S. The Phil adelphia Record tomorrow will Bay. The Japanese governnnt has secur ed an option on the new Turkish cruiser Medjidie, now being1 karri ed to completion at Cramp's shipyard. Both; the Russian and Japanese gorernments have been negotiating with th Sultan for the cruiser for a month bidding higher and higher aa the war fever increased, until it is claimed the Japa nese offered half a million dollars more than the cruiser cost after which tha Russians withdrew. The Medjidie cost about H.OOO.OOO. Should the sale be made the cruiser will be turned over immediately to th Jap anese officers, who are at Seattle await ing orders from home to proceed to Philadelphia. V THE ACT OF A CIUMINAI. In Fight for Freedom, Charles Brooks is Killed and Two Keepers Arc In jured. Trenton, N. J., January !. Oharles Brooks, an inmate of the New Jersey state prison, is dead. Centre Keeper John Fitzgerald has a bullet U his hip and William J. Harney, a dp!y keep er Is suffering from scalp wounds as the result of Brooks'" attempt to escape from th institution today. It will re quire a post mortem examination to de termine whether Brooks died from be ing shot or from strangulation In an attempt to commit suicide, after e had. been taken to the dungeon. Brooks today was polishing brass in one of the wings when he turned on Harney and struck the keeper over the head three times. Harney was made unconscious and Brooks grabbing the deputy's revolver, started for the cen ter of the prison. Brooks shot FiU- E-era.1 and a number or snuia wee at Brooks by other keepers. flnally overpowered. He was Cuts a Way Through Ioe. Vineyard Haven, Mass.. Jawoary S. Although Nantucket eoauvd Is still badly choked with large fields off drift ice. the schooner Child? Harold 3 which sailed from Boston, for Norfolk on the 5th, managed to work her way through and passed here this morn- I lng. 1 -
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