The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-27

currence. 1t was proposed to prosecute
the newspaper correspondents concerned,
as accessories after the theft, but that fell
through Skilled detectives were en-
ployed upon the case. and they declared
that the printer in the treasury Office who
took the proofs of the message was the
guilty party There was never very much
evidence against him, and, although he
was discharged at the time, he was subse-
quently reinstated, Very likely the truth
at the bottom OF the affair will never be
known, but there is no less interest on that
account in the story of how the presidents
address 10 congress once reached the peo-
pie of the United States almost thirty-six
hours before il was given to the national
legislature.
Several of the departments have printing
shops of their own, which are branches Of
the government printing office. The big
gest of them is attached to the treasury,
employing eighty men and women. Others
are annexed TO the war, navy and interior.
The department of state has the smallest
of ALL with only about a dozen employees.
The last, however, does much important
work OF a secret nature. setting type for
great many documents which are kept
most strictly from the view of the public.
The department of state Is the great de-
postory of the secrets of the government.
1t does and knows many things which are
not communicated TO the people, nor even
TO congress. Recently II came out that
Mr.. Blaine had made arrangements for
arbitration in the Boring sea dispute many
months before the general government
was made aware of the fact, the newspa-
pers being kept meanwhile In absolute ig-
norance. Obviously there are numerous
instances where the publication of diplo-
matte business would Illustrate the pur-
poses in view. For example, when nego-
tiatIons were set on foot for the purchase
l. i III
the reporters for the press what was the
nature OF Prince Gortschakoff's confiden-
tial reply to Mr.. Stewards preliminary
overtures. That might have spoiled the
whole affair. Pending treaty matters even
the Senate is not allowed to have knowl-
edge Of
One function of the department of state
Is to maintain the peace of nations. With
a view to this end it usually preserves
silence respecting breaches of diplomatic
faith. Many time when the United
States has been treated with want of cour-
tesy and even dishonesty by foreign gov
ernments. all knowledge of the injury done
has been kept from the public. The print
ing of the facts in such cases would merely
have aroused popular indignation and in
spired an unhealty sentiment of hostility.
On the other hand, Uncle Sam has more
than once treated other nations with I'M
fairness, and they have said nothing. He
L. L
from Denmark a few years ago, the bar
gain being so far completed that the resi-
dents unfurled the American flag. but he
crawled out of it rather discreditably at
the end. Nevertheless Denmark took it
quietly and made no fuss whatever. What
ever has been written or printed on such
subjects remains buried in the secret arch
ives of the state department. The ques-
ton whether there could occur case where
the secretary of state would feel obliged to
refuse information demanded by congress
has been disputed Probably he would be
able to escape the dilemma by diplomatic
evasion.
An important part of the state depart
ments printing is the system of consular re-
ports. 1t is not generally realized that this
branch of the government employs on its
staff the finest corps of reporters in exist
ence. They are scattered over all parts of
the globe, and, being constantly in COM
munication by telegraph with the office at
Washington City, they are ready to COM
bine at a moments notice in giving IN
formation on any conceivable subject All
the consuls, cOnsuls general, and even our
ministers abroad are instructed to regard
this as a portion of their duty and thus
Mr.. Blaine is enabled to get out a number
Of publications yearly on whatever topics
may be regarded as best calculated to af-
ford useful information most of them be-
ing of commercial interest.