The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1899-10-24
TUESDAY. OCTOBER "a. 1899.
Political BIacI.mafI i'm Washington

II ii does not occur 10 President Mckin-
ley that he ought TO say and do something
stirring and effective in view Of the out
rageous assault upon law and decency con-
tanned in the Burdell circular to Govern
ment employees, telling them how to violate
the political blackmail law without incur
ring its penalties, then so good "a man
should at least make the matter a subject
of prayer. because il is one that will be not
forgotten, and at some most inopportuue
season Will erect its hideous head and
bite him like an adder. and pull out his
popularity like a subtractor.
Viewed as the public view the Burdell
scandal. The attempt which has been made
by the Ohio Republican committee 10
b!ackmail the department clerks in Wash
iag;on, is not Only fragrant attack upon
the law enacted for their protection, ba5
is a serious assault upon Mr. McKinley's
standing before the community. As long
as the criminal processes were only served
on pCstmasters. revenue officers. marsha's,
and such people, scattered over the face OF
the country and along its coasts. the Presi-
dent and his official family might b in a
tuously refuse TO believe that such things
could be. But these desperate Ohio political
road agents, under the leadership Of the
bold Hanna and his lieutenant, Congress
man Dick, are not willing TO allow their
ultimate beneficiary even the small favor #
a reasonable doubt" as to his attitude
By extending their hold up system TO the
whole army CT oficeholders in the Capital
they force him to endorse the misdemeanor
by silence, or to hit the Ohio Republican
campaign a staggering blow by denounc-
hight.
The Civil Service Commissioners have
taken heart of grace TO make a little trou-
bic in the premises. 1t is brave in them TO
do so. because nothing is surer than that
any activity they may show in striving to
enforce law, Obstructively to the prevailing
method Of gathering corruption funds. will
mark them for destruction; just as every
Federal employee, who does not throw up
his hands and consent to be gone
through" at the call of the Boss. viii see
his head drop in the sawdust as socn as the
Ohio election is over.
Who can wonder that poor Mr.. Mckinley
is worried? With Hanna to the right OF
him. Otis, DENLY. and the cormorants iden-
titled with him. TO the left of him. and an
increasingly critical and angry public SEN
timent in front Of him, all volleying and
laundering, it is amazing that he can eat,
sleep, or smoke. But ne has his remedy
II he will hearken TO the voice Of the coun-
try and dc that which is lawful and right,
he may yet save himself. Let him
remove Otis, relegate DENLY to the shades
Of private life. denounce and punish the
protected rascals in Manila place Matan-
zas NJ. Sampson on waiting orders. and tell
Griggs to prosecute Burdell and the Ohio
committee, and he will have the people
once more with him, as they have not
been cordially for a long time. Then he
can be popular and happy again, and in a
situation to eXclaim with the inspired poet;
1t is content of heart, gives nature power to
please;
The mind that feels no smart. enivens all il sees,