Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-31
A STRANGE DEFENSE.

In defence OF and apology for the ex-
posed crookedness of Mr.. McKinley's
appointees in the Cuban postal service,
Republicans are more frantic than for
tunate. A lame explanation is consld-
erably worse than no explanation nit
all: an explanation that Is at variance
with notorious facts is the equivalent
OF confession of culpability.
The Philadelphia Press in n spirit of
partisan optimism. Is disposed to lightly
regard the whole story OF rottenness;
to brush aside the populations as an In
evitable but passing phase OF imperial
responsibilities. a phase having its par
allel in all private and semi public bust
ness. The Press says:
Serious this scandal IS. AS Senator
Platt said yestsrdy, Senator Bacon has
no monopoly of the shame and humilia-
ton felt over it's revelations. Careful
selections were made for these posts.
The men CHOSEN failed under tempta-
ton. Novel surroundings, large tempt
atoms and the opportunities of a newly
organized service proved too much for
their integrity. This is the familiar eX-
pertence of every great business when
1t newly organizes n branch. 1t is so
when railroads acquire new branch
so when manufacturing company sets
up new plant, near or distant, and so
when Il great department store opens or
acquires new store in another city"
This explanation breaks down in every
important particular. The selections
carefully made? Even as selections go
under the spoils system the assertion
will not bear the light of critical ex-
animation. Mr.. Neely's chief recon-
mendation appears to have been that he
was "a good Follow and up against it
financially" to quote the words used
when the place was demanded for him.
In other words, he was n man who had
made failure OF his private business.
A most strange qualification in a PROS
peotive appointee to an important pub
lie position. AS to Mr.. Rathbone, 1t was
notorious that he did the dirty work
for Mr.. Hanna when the latter was q
candidate for the United States Senate
before q not too friendly Ohio legisla-
ture.
Is it true that thlevery lis the familiar
experience ,of every great business
when 1T newly organizes branch?"
This Is merely n piece Of imaginative
guess work. If it be true, then certain
ly the facts are kept from the public
When has there been an exposure of
plot, Ito rob the owners on the part OF
the manager and employee of a branch
of a store. a railroad or n manufacture
Ing plant? The statement Is a gratui-
tous insult to the intelligence of the
business world. 1t could be refuted in
an hour by appeal to any one Of n hun
dred citizens of the city in which the
Press is published.
AS a matter of fact It Is doubtful that
careful examination would not show
that cases of pecula,tion are more infre-
quent in newly established branches
OF large businesses, than in the home
establishments. for the reason that only
men of tried and proven fitness are put
in charge. and under the sense of new
responsibilities are likely to exercise n
more strict supervision of details than
obtains in older establishments.
The looting in Cuba was doubtless
inevitable under Republican methods of
administration. 1t would not have been
inevitable or probable under any sys-
TEN where there was not inexcusable
carelessness in appointment and an al
most criminal laxity of supervision. Az
Washington there was both of these.
and neither can be excused by appeal
to business presidents that do not ex
list.