The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-29
FRIDAY. MAY %. 1908.
THE posToFFIcE SCANDAL.

THE POSTOFFICE SCANDAL.
Postmaster-G General Payne was Mt first
disposed to make light Of the charges
preferred against officials In his depart
n1ent, but his eyes are now opened. for
he has discovered that the charges are
well grounded. Indeed. indications now
point to corrupt practices unedualed
save in the administration OF General
Grant. It appears that August w. Ma
chen, ten years superintendent Of free
delivery In the Postofilce Department
and a man OF considerable influence III
Republican politics. has been regularly
putting money into his pocket by the
rake-off system According to the evi.
dence in hand, he would mako contracts
with this man or the other to furnish
supplies for his department with an
agreement in advance that he should re-
4 ceive a commission on the sales Enough
evidence has been procured to show that
he has thus far received brides amount
Ing to $4,000. This was not received In
q single transaction. but In many, the
rake-offs ranging from hundreds to thou
sands, according to the amount involved.
In one case he contracted with con-
s Germ for the purchase OF box fasteners,
which consist of two pieces of cast iron.
with continuance for holding together
with a spring. the whole being simple
device by which letter boxes are clasped
to upright iron posts It is said that these
fasteners cost In the making about
t,,,+ 10 bo
government under Mr.. Machen's contract
with tho inventor at s1,25 each. and the
total amount paid for them since 1894 was
sl4o.o0o.
The government Is rich and able to lose
this sum Of money without feeling it.
but Mr.. Machen's crime Is none the less
Infamous. IT, as the Postmaster General
alleges. he is guilty. Here was n man
holding high and responsible position In
government, the trusted representa-
tive OF the people, whose duty 1t was
to administer his department as economi-
calIy as possible. yet deliberately enter
ing into contract with rascnls to supply
the government with insignificant de-
vices at an enormous price Under an
agreement also that a part OF the money
thus flclled from the government should
go into his own pocket. We lock our
doors against thieves. and If they break
through and steal. we say bad luck to the
locks and pocket our losses with as good
grace as we may. We do not expect any
better of the thief. But when we put
n trusted man In charge OF our affairs,
when we give him the run of the house
and commit our interest to him. we do
expect him TO be honest and upright, and
II he steals lie is worse than n common
thief, for in addition to the theft he. out
rageously abuses our trust. The public
official who does this thing Is thief
and traitor. and no punishment Is too
Revere for him.
It Is fumiliating, it is almost alarming,
when discoveries OF this sort are made.
It causes Taxpayers to be anxious, IT
!. gives all honest men the crceps to feel
shat in the most trusted positions OF
government there are thieves and
traitors ready to profit at the expense
OF the people. When u man Of Machen's
prominence betrays his trust Taxpayers
naturally ask themselves. Who can be
trusted? and their suspicious against ofIl-
GERS In general are apt to DO aroused,
There Is some comfort however, in the
fact that these frauds in the PostoflIce
Department have been discovered, and
that the delinquents are to be dealt with
according to their deserts, II is some
thing TO know that this investigation has
been conducted fearlessly and that ther,
has been no attempt at concenlment.
Investigation and exposure and con
dign punishment are the only remedie
for these evils Whenever a suspicion
exists, certainly whenever charge ma
been made. there should be promp
and thorough Investigation, and an homes
and fearless effort made to uscertai
the facts. That is the rule to be pursue
In all departments Of government ma
tional, State and local, and hence It
that we most cordially commend the az
ton of the Board of Aldermen OF IN
city of Richmond for determining to IN
restigate charges that have been mad
against present members and forme
members of that body. Let the committe
probe deep. Let 1t find out the facts an
let 1t discharge its plain duty withol
fear or favor. vindicating tho innocen
and exposing the guilty, II guilty the
be.
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A HAPPY RADIANCE.