National Republican., 1883-10-25
Once for All.

Once for All.
The first assistant postmaster general, Mr.
Frank IIatton. in his capacity conductor of the
organ aud champion of the star route thieves in
Washington has made certain statements in con-
necuon with the early morning newspaper train
from Philadelphia to Harrisburg.
These statements are false, and Mr.. Hatton
knew them to be false when he made them. A
plain recital of the facts which will come in due
time, will oonclusively establish that they are
false. They are also shown to be false by the
records and the evidences contained in the post
Office department.
1t remains to be seen whether these records can
be suppressed. We know that subordinates in the
department are seeking to withhold tho evidence
and to evade the inquiry. We have good reason
to believe that the postmaster general, on the
other hand holds that public documents are right
fully open 10 legitimate public inspection. Wo
have strong conviction, also. that the postmaster
general means to be postmaster general.
Whether the subordinatcs eau shut up the rec
ords against the direction of the postmaster gem
eral is to be determined. The question will be
fully tested,
The above appeared in the Philadelphia
Press of yesterday double loaded.
Mr.. Smith has found out at last that silence
does not pay, and that coarse abuse Of one
official and fulsome flattery of another does
not dispose of a very serious charge. Mr..
Smiths statement is very much like the fat
man with very thin voice. Double loaded it
looks very big, but it sounds small. The public
cares very little about personal quarrel be.
tween THE REPUBLICAN and the Philadel-
phia Press. For the purpose of bringing the
matter, so far as the charge made by THE
REPUBLICAN is concerned to direct
issue, we made the proposition
that Mr. Smith, through some friend in con-
gress ask that committee be appointed,
with power to send for persons and papers, to
investigate this whole matter. THE REPUB-
LICAN, whatever its personal opinion of G.
that it has been mistaken in regard to the
scheme which he originated and carried
through department of the government
which increased the expenditures over $S0a,-
600 without in return beneftihg the gov
ernment in the least possible manner, and
we promise Mr.. Smith now that
q full, fair, and unbiased report of the inves-
tigation shall be given the readers of THE
REPUBLICAN, rs we'll as tho result of the in
vestigation. All his gong beating about the
suppression of papers and records Of tho de-
partment is claptrap, and he knows it. If
congress calls for the papers, neither the post
master general nor any of his subordinates
can suppress them. G. Emory Smith would
not have been satisfied with any answer a
party might make accused by the Philadel-
phia Press of connection with such transac.
tion as The REPUBLICAN has accused him OF
being connected with. He would not be
satisfied with the accused party's denial. He
would insist that there be an investigation.
Such an Investigation as The REPUBLICAN
proposes would settle tho question whether
"these statements" are false, as stated by Mr..
Smith, and which he says "Mr. Hatton knew
to be false when he made them" In this
whole matter The REPUBLICAN has tried tt
be fair-it has printed every article that Mr.
Smith has given the public since the charg,
was first made, and it will now say that i
will give space in its columns for any de
tailed statement in regard to this whole
transaction that Mr.. Smith may see fit I,
make, and when tho report of the inves
| tigation committee is made, if such al
| Investigation is had, he shall have
the benefit of every word and line
favorable to his action. 1t would be just a
easy for The REPUBLICAN to charge that Mr.
Smith is trying to prevent an investigation
by congress as it was for Sir. Smith to charg
that the officers of tho postofllce department
will suppress tho record and documents whel
called upon by congress to produce them
Will tho Philadelphia Press join THE REPUR
LIcAN is asking congressional investigation
of q scheme which THE REPUBLICAN, is con
vinced Mr.. Smith originated and carried
through at cost of $SO3 479,372
THE REPUBLICAN has not nor docs it in
tend to follow in tho footsteps of the Phi lila
delphia Press and shower bath Mr.. Smit
with personal abuse, This paper is not blin
to the fact that ho is newspaper man c
good ability, and it has frequently spoken q
the improvement made in the Press since hi
connection with it, and we are quite willin
to drop this matter and abide the decision {
the investigation which THE REPUBLIcA
trusts the Philadelphia Press will join it i
asking. The charge has been made in sutf
GENTLY explicit language. We appreciat
the fact that nothing We can add will COZ
vince Mr.. Smiths friends that the charl
was made on good grounds. On the oth'
hand, ho has said nothing to convince any
body that the charge is not true, Aninvest
CATION will settle the whole matter Wi
Mr.. Smith ask it2
THE absorption of Il few republicans
! three counties of Mississippi by the bulldo