New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-02
WASTE As WELA AS THEFT.

There is said to be sufficient reason for be-
lievng that the Cuban postal frauds have been
grossly exaggerated in irresponsible gossip and
that the amount actually stolen does not exceed
$4,000. 1t is to be hoped that this compare
lively modest estimate will prove correct, and
al the same time that if il does the circum
stance will not give rise to undue satisfaction
The disgrace involved is not measured by the
proportions of the theft and it is safe to say
that if any disposition should be shown in of
fetal circles to push the scandal out Of sight
a thing of trivial Importance. after ALL it would
not be generally shared by the people. More
over, there is another point to be considered
How much money has been wasted the
postal establishment in Cuba in addition to the
amount stolen? And if the amount so frittered
away is large what does the fact suggest as to
the spirit in which public servants have entered
upon their duties in that department. and per-
haps in other departments there and elsewhere
in our new dependencies?
We have wish to encourage needless sus
pcions but there is much food for thought in
the announcement of what Mr.. Bristow, Acting
Director of Posts in Cuba, has already accom-
pshed in the way of recognizing the head
quarters staff at Havana. BY combinations,
dsmissals and reductions he has cut down the
salary list right there by more than $40, 900. and
it is not intimatnd that his economies are merely
for temporary effect and likely to impair the
efficiency Of the service. The probability on
the contrary is that he has got rid of men
who have been standing in one anothers way,
and that the smaller force imbued with a new
sense of obliga ton. will do the work better
than it has ever been done before. 1t would
certainly be unjust to condemn with extreme
severity a subordinate in the public service
bpc1nSa hp a berth
a good salary while conscious that the force
to which he belonged could be proftably
duced. and that in consequence he was an Illus
tration of the wasteful manner in which the
public business being transacted. But
the men in control, however incapable Of per-
sonal dishonesty, cannot in such case be ac-
Quilted of the grave charge Of unfaithfuneSs
to plain duty If their excuse is that they have
only fallen in with the extravagant practice Of
the times the fact that it is a familiar excuse
does not make it acceptable.
The modern cost of government is enormous
and the constant tendency is to increase it.
Various causes. including reckless legislation,
have produced this grave evil, but the blame
rests largely on constituencies officials in places
Of independent authority, who are perfectly con-
tented to manage the affairs Of the community
with a prof1igacy which no private enterprise
could tolerate survive. Everybody knows
that this city supports host of superhuous
public employees and that it could be far better
governed at far less cost if heads of depart
mentS only once resolved that it should be- 1t
is evident that the postal administration in
Cuba an example on a small scale of the
same sort of debauchery, and it is necessary to
consider TO what extent the infection has
spread It is chiefly TO this question, we
understand it, that the Senate investigation
recently authorized will be addressed. The
scrutiny cannot be too rigorous or the honest
results too plainly stated.