The San Juan County index. (Aztec, N.M.) 1890-19??, 1900-07-06
(Washlngton eorrespondenee.l

1900" AEA NHEkANH AAANA AAANAAAH %
political pet and protege OF First As
sistant Postmaster General Heath, has
just been arrested for ~defrauding the
Cuban postal revenues Of an enormous
sum OF money. Nicely was the nnan-
cial agent Of the p%ostofice department
and practically the custodian Of the
funds. Present indications point to
fraudulent actions involving probably
not less than 100000. Nicely is not
alone. From present indications It is
a safe assertion that probably four
hfths Of the principal postal officials
in Cuba are involved In the crime.
Rathbone, the Republican official at
the head Of the postal administration
OF Cuba, Is a protege Of Mark Hanna.
He had been chief postomce inspector
In Washington and fourth assistant
postmaster general. The main source
OF fraud was in the sale Of several
hundred thousand dollars OF stamps
which we're ordered destroyed as their
place was to be taken by a new issue.
instead Of destroying them Nicely and
his confederates issued them and pock-
eted the proceeds. The enormous
shrinkage in Cuban postal revenues
Immediately visible and continuing for
months did not seem to strike any one
connected with the Cuban postal serv-
Ice as at all remarkable. II was exact
ly as though a merchant accustomed
to a steady volume Of business should
be entirely Indifferent when his clerks
and cashier inform him that his cash
receipts have suddenly fallen OF over
so per cent.
Rathbone not only passed everything
as all right, but within two weeks pre-
ceding the discovery Of Neely's pecu-
lations made an official report prais-
ing Nicely highly in the most positive
terms. He had, moreover, st%renuously
resisted all attempts Of General Wood,
who is in supreme command Of Cuba,
to have anything to do with the post
Office department. In fact the discov-
cry Of the crime is due to an army Off
Ger who dug beneath the surface. Now
comes the strangest part. First the
%postofhce department in Washington
set up a strenuous effort to throw re-
sponsibility on the war department.
Within forty-eight hours this cam
paign was dropped as dangerous and
a whole host Of postal officials were
rushed off to Cuba to Investigate"
Yet the army officer, Col. Burton, was
even then on his way to Washington
with all the facts and figures in his
possession and evidence enough to
hang the whole criminal outfit. Then
for n brief day was an expression
Of stern determination from the white
house Ito let no guilty man escape"
Then another day passes and word
comes from Havana that there are to
be no more arrests until there is alb
solute certainty of the guilt Of the sus-
pected parties"
The fact is that Mckinley and his
managers are frightened out Of their
boots and are trying to cover things
up and limit the punishment to Nicely
and some scape-goat who may be will
ing to be sacrificed for the good Of
the party. But 1t is too late; the
country is thoroughly aroused to the
knowledge that it is all a piece Of
fraud of the bolt Of imperialism. The
Spaniards were corrupt in Cuba and
tho Philippines, where the people were
unable to determine who should be
their rulers. The American officials
sent to Cuba or the Philippines are
going to follow the same rule. AS Lin
coin said, no people are good enough
to be set over another people as their
rulers without their consent. The
Philippines are too far away and the
censor in too thorough control Of the
channels Of news to permit the facts
to reach the republic. but out Of the
millions which have already been
poured into that %pestilential hole, there
have been few that have not paid
their tribute TO corruption. This whole
administration is rotten, and 1t is only
when some tremendous hue and cry
has arisen from the public that the
thieves have been punished. It took
three years to put In prison Captain
Carter, who helped to rob the treasury
Of 81 1000, 900 on the harbor improve
ments OF Savannah. It Is about time
that the country again raise the Dem
ocratie cry Of Turn the rascals out"
TOwne as the Probable Nominee.
The action Of the Sioux Falls con-
vention both as to it's admirable and
conservative platform and its nomina-
ton of Bryan and Towne is received
in Washington by the Democratic
leaders as giving evidence that har-
monious action between all the prin-
cipal elements opposed 70 McKinleyism
may be expected. Whether the Dem
ocratic convention to meet at Kansas
City will second the nomination OF
Mr.. Towne for Yice-presldent cannot
be forecast with certainty. Mr.. Towne
stands as the foremost Of the silver
Republicans who left his party on the
silver issue In 1896. And yet from his
public %utterances It IS we'll known that
he stood thoroughly In line with every
plank Of the Democratic platform
adopted at Chicago. He is today thor
oughly in harmony with Bryan on the
Issues which will make up the am
palgn this summe and fall. No one
will question his adherence to Demo-
cratic principles; the sole question
will be as to availability. His state,
Minnesota, is In the doubtful column,
and on present indications can be
counted on for Bryan IN November.
Mr.. Towne is as earnestly DESTROYS OF
McKlnley's defeat as any man In the
Democratic party and will do all In
I ~ Lnam - L-f.- .hm.H HknH mmmnnnH