Gilpin observer., 1903-12-03

The. Senate confirmed the nomina-
ton Of Willis Sweet as attorney gen.
eral of Porto Rico.
Announcement is made from the
War Department that no additional
designations will be made of candi-
dates from civil life to be examined
for appointment as second lieutenant
in the army.
The secretary of the interior has
suspended from Office D. F. Campbell,
clerk of the townsite commission OF the
Creek nation in Indian Territory. pend
ing the outcome Of an investigation
based on an indictment against him for
alleged unlawfully obtaining money
while a member of the Kansas Legisla-
ture. the indictment charging the re-
ceipt Of 500 from the clerk Of the
District Court at Oswego. Kansas, fol-
lowing the passage Of bill raising the
clerks salary. The court dismissed the
Indictment, but Indian Inspector
Wright is making an investigation and
has. obtained an order from the court
for the stenographic minutes Of the
grand jury.
Rumors have reached the STATE De-
partment that General Reyes mission
to Washington Is primarily to try to
array opposition senators against the
ratification of the Bunau-V arflla-Hay
canal treaty. There Is also talk of the
formation of combination Of South
American countries, directed against
the United States. Respecting the
coming of General Reyes to Washing
ton, 1t is said at the State Depart
ment that much depends upon the ma
ture of his credentials as to the re-
ception he is given. II he IL brought
to the department by the Colombian
charge. DR.. Herran, he will be accord
ed a respectful hearing. But his &C.
tivities must be confined to lawful
channels as an alien, and any attempt
on his part to influence by direct rep
reservations any other than the execu-
tive branch of the government would
scarcely be viewed with eQuanimity.
In his meorandum on the report Of
First Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow. in relation to frauds in the
Postoffice Department, President
Roosevelt says: mo crime calls for
sterner reprobation than the crime of
the corruptionist In public life. and Of
the man who seeks to corrupt him.
The bribe giver and the bribe taker
are equally guilty. Both alike sin
against the primary law of the states
safety. All questions Of difference In
party policy sink into insignificance
when the people Of this country are
brought face to face with q question
like this. which lies at the root Of
honest and decent government. On
this question. and on all others like 1t,
we can afford to have no division
among good citizens. In the last re-
sort good laws and good administra-
ton alike must rest upon the broad
basis of sound public opinion. A dull
public conscience. an easy-going &C
quiescmce in corruption, infallibly
means debasement In public life. and
such debasement in the end means
the ruin Of free institutions. Self
government becomes farce II the rep
resentatives Of the people corrupt
others or are themselves corrupted.
Freedom 10 not q gift which will tarry
long In the hands Of the dishonest or
Of those 30 foolish or 10 incompetent
~ to tolerate dishonesty In their pub
lie servants. Under our system oil
power comes from the people. and all
punishment rests ultimately with the
people. The tolerance Of the wrong,
not the exposure Of the wrong. 10 the
real o6onse."