Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-29

Lodge in regard to his alleged monopoly Of
access with Mr.. Henry Adams to important
historical papers in the State Department,
does not explain. He. in effect, says mere
ly that the papers are the property of the
public and therefore accessible to the pub
lie, that is, to anybody. The fact remains,
and it can be proved beyond doubt, that the
papers were not ACCESSIBLE to everybody.
They, in truth, could only be reached by q
favored few.
This is not new story, except in the
plain statement that Mr.. Lodge, Mr.. Adams
and one or two others were the persons
favored. 1t has been known for years that
clerks in the State and other departments
made it very troublesome, or wholly i'm
possible, for any but few to get hold OF
the most valuable papers for perusal or for
the purpose of copying. The War and
Navy departments have also had their lit
tie rings, and clerks have earned many
pennies outside their wages fishing out and
supplying these most precious documents
1t may be the clerks were the monopolists
and corraled the manuscripts or printed
matter for their own profit in the interests
Of those who paid them best. But If so,
the question arises why Lodge and Adams
should have paid better than others, If not
with the understanding or expectation that
others would be prevented from getting
hold OF the treasure.
AS for the denials of Assistant Secretary
Wharton, this tavor1tism was in operation
before Mr.. Wharton was ever heard OF at
Washington, and after he made his not
very brilliant debut he did not become by
any means the whole of the State Depart
ment. A few things have occurred in that
department of which he has learned nothing
during his brief and uneventful term. Mr..
Lodge cannot turn this matter aside with
sneer, as it can be plainly shown that the
clerks acted In his interest, because he
made it interesting to them to do SO, whether
or not he intended to play mean trick
upon others who desired access to the same
matter.
Rivaling Chicago for Divorces.
Capital swelldom has ''got in its work"
on the District Courts and now fashion
able" divorces can be procured without
publicity of details as easily as in Chicago,
though unfortunates seeking divorce, who
are not in the social swim, must suffer the
publication of all the charges made by both
parties to the case. Less than three months
ago Surgeon Dickson, of the Marine Hos
pital, a society swell and member of the
Metropolitan Club, one day let two friends
into the secret of his suspicious in regard
to the conduct of his young and beautiful
wife. Detectives shadowed her constantly,
and at the very moment the confidence was
given, telephoned the Doctor that the lady
was dining at a downtown hotel in the
company of a wealthy young Virginian.
Surgeon Dickson and his friends drove to
the hotel and verified the telephone mes
sage. On October II suit for divorce was
filed. All the papers in the case were con-
cealed from the public, and to-day the
divorce was granted, Mrs Dickson making
no defense.
Three other suits for divorce have been
filed by persons of upper tendon, and in
one case at least not even the name of the
parties is known. This favoritism of the
courts to the rich and influential has ex-
cited much aud severe comment, and legis-
lation is talked of which will at least put
all classes on an equal footing. 1t is
claimed by lawyers that publication of the
applications for divorce and the grounds
upon which it is asked is of great moral
use, as it will often prevent trumped-up
charges and false and scandalous allega-
tions in regard to innocent persons.