The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-28
The scandal Nenr Headquarters.

1t was to be expected that the ADMIN
istratiou would eudeavor to minimize the
Importance of the scandals which have
come to the surface during the past few
days, affecting the integrity of some per-
sons unknown in the Washington and New
York pos.ofices, and perhaps of others
in their branches in Porto Rico and at
Santiago. The charges so far specifically
presented are not particularly startling,
save as they indicate the rottenness Of the
system under which the business OF great
department has been conducted during the
present Hanna regime. We do not blame
the Administration for its effort 10 stop
the exposures at the point they have
reached. Nothing could be more natural,
since high officials responsible for the
honesty of the public ser''ice know that
there is mountain of trouble behind the
few revelations already made. which is
topping toward them
The mere fact that Indiana small fry
politicians should be paid two or three
salaries without the unpleasant necessity
of earning one, is not a matter OF great
moment; because the postoffice is not the
only department in which such things have
been done. We should expect Hoosiers in
the Hanna postal service to consider them
selves on their native heath, and to
snatch whatever heather blooms might be
in sight. The country is used to that sort
of thing. is habituated to the junketing
of favored officeholders at public ex-
pense. and to all the petty outrages and
peculaiions common to Republican place
men with pull. II would probably soon
forget such minor evils and abuses II they
did not obviously constitute cloud of
smoke representing great deal of unseen
fire.
We are gratified to hear it announced
that Postmaster General Smith, who is
believed to be personally man of unim-
peachable integrity, has ordered most
thorough investigation of the stable door,
now that the wild horse Scandal, sired bxs
imported Muncie and damned by Every
body. has broken his halter and bolted
into the open. But, while Mr.. Smith will
undoubtedly discover a great many inter-
esting things in the course of a private
executive examination, it does not follow
that he will feel compelled to publish all
he learns; and publicity regarding official
irregularity and rascaiity under the spoiis
system is what is just now demanded. A
Congressional committee, empowered to
summon and swear witnesses, and to pro-
tect them from the wrath of the Admins
tration, would be more to the purpose.
Rathbone and Nicely are not perhaps
unique among their fellow-citizens of Ohio
and Indiana, or of the service of which
they have been such gorgeous and costly
The probe needs to go deeper.
The bottom Of the gangrened wound made
by the shaft of corruption and thievery
has not yet been touched. The skill and
tools Of the surgeon are yet needed to
sound the depths of the fostering mass.
We now have incomplete returns from
Cuba. Porto Rico. New York, and Wash
ington. Others are awaited with conf |
dence. The wholesale smuggling which |
has been alleged to prevail in Havana and |
other ports of our sentimental occupancy |
<equire investigation which the Admins
tration can and probably will obstruct and |
prevent until after the Presidential cleo
ton. There is wealth of sensation be-
fore the competent authority which shall
drive its pick into the pay dirt of the
Philippine government and especially the
customs situation. But probably not much
will be accomplished in the way Of add
lIonal light. and certainly nothing in the
direction OF reform. during the summer.
rhe country will be left to its own deduc-
ions from meagre, ascertained facts. and
general evidences of decentralization; but !!