The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-26
HrGwUMr cRIT1cIsM.

MEGHUAF lkIJ1GI3M~
Theodore Roosevelt, the energetic mem
her Of the United States Civil Service Com
mission, himself considerably tircsured
with issdepe 1denee in politics and spirit
Of reform. Is Just boz an object Of pretty
severe Mugwump criticism. Fortunately
for him he il 50 constituted a. 70 be de-
cidedly indifferent 70 hostile criticism,
whether from this source or from within
the regular party lines What particularly
concerns him. pretty much 20 the e1cln-
sion Of GlI Other consideration. Is 80 10
conduct himself IS 80 satisfy Theodore
Roosevelt
The present assault relstes 20 the case OF
Captain W E. Pierce he l. member OF
the examining board for the civil service
commission, In connection with an official
position IN the Sew York custom honse.
As such be Is brought into intimate con-
tact gith and Is arnenabIe 10 the coEnmis-
zion Of shlch Mr.. Roosevelt is the most
distinguished member. Captain Pierce Is
sd ex-Coafe1erate officer, which probably
accounts for his appointment 20 his present
position by the great Democratic oracle in
1855
1t has come 70 the ears of Commissioner
Roosevelt thst Captain Pierce. saout the
tine Of his sid appointment, quite
vigorously expressed the opinion thar,
Every Republican ought 10 be turned
out Of oIfce-" he was pronounced
clean sweep" man. in fact Moreover,
1t Is alleged that during his incrmbency
OF federal ofHcc, and while drawing pay
from the national treasury, he has re-
peatedIy boas.ed Of having cruelty treated
Union prisoners who fell into his hands
during the war: pnodding them with
bayonets: stealing the boots Of captive
Union officer, and numerous similar
acts Of inhunaHisy, over the narrat-
Of which he has 9 cbnckied with glee-"
These things having been reported 20
the commissioner from responsible
sources, and with due forlnglify, be has
taken cognizance Of them and has cited
Captain Pierce 10 hearing. Whereat the
Springfield Reyz5sscan, one OF the fore
most organs Of Mugwumpery, Is hIIed
xith horror and dies 10 arms. 1t pro-
nounces ridiculous" this calling of q
pnhlic officer 10 account . for what he said
I'VE years ago and did tEenfy-six or
twenty-eight years ago. Is pleads
the statute Of limitations In behalf Of
Captain Pierce. and insinuates that the
charges would have received no attention
had be been 8 Republican
Would Mr. Roosevelt, y says this Spring
field critic. Try Republican and an ex-
Onion soldier for expressing the same
opinions shout Democrats, and for having
treated Confederate prisoners with similar
harshness in Is6s and 1854. The ofsense
you'd be precisely the same; the uniform
that man wears does not make undue
severity 10 prisoners Unstable.
This latter is strictly true, and should
have restrained the writer from any de-
Tense Of Captain Pierre. Humanity to
helpless prisoner Of war il an act OF cow
ardlce: an act unpeconing 10 gentleman
and one Of which no gentleman would he
guilty. The appropriation Of prisoners
property IS donhly criminal larceny. But
20 boast OF such performances twenty
years and more after their commission
greatly mzgnines and agyraystes the Of
Tense
Wholly irrespective Of whsf might or
might net he done in some other case, the
man who can he proven guilty Of such Or
lenses Is unworthy 70 hold any position Of
honor and trust, and il is the clear duty Of
ans person having the poser Of removal,
and who Is responsible for his incanhencv.
20 investigate and vindicate him from the
charges If they be groundleSs, or 10 re-
move him If they be true.
Ii IS grztziioas; wholly 1nwzrranfea:
IN fact impairment to assume thai Roose-
welt would ignore similar zIlegatio.as
against Republican and an ex-Union SOL
der. IL be should do 50. then indeed there
would be ground for the biting criticisms
with which be Is assailea for no, ignoring
them in the case Of this un-epentant br;
proud and boaStfssi ex-Confesle-zte. II
this nan vas brutal and dishonest IN his
treatment Of his prisoners. Mr.. Roosevelt
Is qaite right in refusing 10 hold Official as
sociStion With him If lie can nelp il. and
IN removing him from tha service II he
hSs the power. and il i sad 70 perceive
TIA, with Massachusetts, paper eonsiG-
eESslon OF the uniform tAis man were does
seem to make difference in his favor.