The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-06-26
FRAUDS IN POST OFFICE.
Their Magnitude IL Far beyond " hat
IL Given Ous BY n~psb-
lican Authorities.

The post Office department should
De run on a business basis so that the
people everywhere would have the best
service for the vast amount OF none,
that Is expended. The investigation
now going on shows that the republi.
a plan has been 10 make the depart.
ment a political machine 10 aid repub-
lican candidates and pack caucuses and
conventions in the interest Of those
who are for the time In charge. Post.
master General PAYNE was selected by
the president not a the most compe-
tent man. but as the most adroit and
GeXferous machine politician available,
and he has been looked upon as the po-
lliical manipulation Of the administra-
tion. No credit is due TO him for the
exposure Of the rotten conditions that
prevail in his department. lie has per-
sistently made light otihe charges that
have resulted in the revelations that
have so far reached thepublic. His con-
fdential secretary i charged with be-
ing mixed up in the scandals and Mr..
Payne is evidently shielding him from
being included'in the investigation that
Is still in progress. How far the probe
will reach is still a question md de-
ponds upon the president. He has the
power 10 20 TO the root of the matter.
whoever is hurt. That behind the small
fry who have s. far been caught in the
Investigation net. there are other and
larger fish is apparent. The New York
World in this connection saws:
behind Beaversand Macheni IL seems
20 be clearly established that there
were men higher up leaders in the
senate and house. who were using them
as tools to exploit The postal service
their own political ends. The fact
that the total annual expenditure for
ruralfree delivery service was less than
$4,000 in 1897. is now ~ 100000 and
viii he. II is estimated. $4,000. 900 a
year when IL IS fully expanded. indi-
Gates what a magnificent field for loot
and blackmail il offers 10 corrupt Of
ficiais working in collision with self
seeking senators and congressman.
The public have a right To know the
truth. The statesmen now dim
~ ciscerned in the background. work
ing the rural free delivery system as a
patronage mill and incidentally as a
political bureau. must be brought to
the front. Mr.. Roosevelt's plain duty
TO the country Is to force sfr. PAYNE.
matter how powerful the influences
may be that seek 10 smother this
manifesfly ~far-reaching scandal. to live
mp 70 the historic mandate. Let no
man escape"
If President Roosevelt decides 10
push the investigation. no matter who
Is caught in the dragnet and will see
that those In charge make it thorough
and complete. he will have TO give the
important matter considerable person.
al attention. The obstacles in the way
are powerful and far-reaching and may
the disruption Of the cabinet
and the SCATTERING Of the political ma
chine that is expected to have charge OF
the national campaign soon TO be IN
II appears that the presi-
dent was Informed. more than a year
ago. that the post Office department
was honeycombed with fraud. but he
was assured by the postmaster general
there was no truth in the charge.
seem 10 be moving rapidly in the
that either the Investigation
be suspended or the president
will have to request the resignation OF
his postmaster general.