The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-19
TRAIL OF THE SPOKESMAN.

It is with a feeling of deep mortifca-
ton and sorrow that the American peo-
pie read Of the defalcation in the Cuban
postofHce system under the management
Of United States authorities. 1t comes
as a stain upon what has otherwise been
a well managed administration on the
island.
The Cubans are reported as being de-
lighted at this evidence of what they
term American ~rascality. They can
hardly be blamed. For when Cuba was
placed under American rule it was de-
clared that the inhabitants of the is
lands would be given an illustration of
how to honestly administer government
affairs. Yet the first year has not ended
before Mr.. Nicely is arrested charged
with many thousands of dollars short
age. Postmaster General Smith stated
only two weeks ago that American
methods in the postal department would
be a vast improvement over former Gu
ban or Spanish administrations But
neither of them could have lone much
worse as Nicely took everything in sight.
1t is to be hoped that out Of the
rascality and modification caused, a
valuabl lesson will come. And the les
son is this. Let the administration in
power follow the civil service rules and
not rush to appoint a spokesman because
he has a pull" or has been of some
great value to his party. It is not.
charged that President Mckinley vas
a party to any fraud in the appointment
Of Mr.. Nicely, an Indiana ward politician
with no particular ftness for the posi-
ton, because subsequent events AVE
proven hat Perry Heath, close to the
president, was the man responsibleforthe
i'll chosen appointment. But nevertheless
the civil service rules were lodged in
Neely's case and such failure to observe
was the primary cause Of the federal
theft.
Few rogues or spoilsmen care to bother
with civil service examinations or COM
pliance with the laws. They depend on
their pull" with the appointive powers
to secure lucrative jobs. This class of
men of Neely's caliber would not be in
positions of trust if the civil service
laws were honestly enforced.
Mr.. Perry Heath, who it is said is re-
sponsible for the appointment of Nicely
and Rathbone. was born and brought
up in Muncie, Indiana. All his savings
are invested there and he is deeply in
terested in the town. So whenever a
Muncie man seeks office he invariably
~endeavors to secure the Endorsement of
Mr.. Perry Heath, first assistant post
master general.
No rational human being is prepared
to believe that Nicely acted alone. It is
simply incredible that, without c~ollusior
or at least criminal negligence on tbs
part of other officials, he could have So
long and so successfully conducted his
scheme of %spoliation. Press report:
from Havana show explicitly that &
conspiracy with widespread ramifca-
tons exists and has evidently been il
operation for some months.
1t is to be hoped that no effort vii
be spared by the government in the at
tempt to punish those who have beer
guilty of peculation in Cuba and to re
cover the money that has been stolen
There must be a vigorous prosecution
Of all who are under suspicion, if the
United States hopes to retain the con.
idence of the islanders for whom it il
acting as trustee.