The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-16
Belonging the Issue.
The Attempt to Saddle a Republican
Administration With P. o. Scandals.


Some of our esteemed contempora-
rles-notably those of Democratic
tendeneies-are attempting TO con-
meet the present Administration with
the postal scandals. In their glee over
recent disclosures they seem to take
1t for granted not only that the AID
mlnlstration of President Roosevelt,
but also the party to which he be-
longs, will suffer-" in other words,
that in the next election the Democ-
racy will ride into power on the crest
OF a wave of popular indignation.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Such child-ike faith in the gull
bllity Of the public is refreshing. 1t
Is doubly so when it finds expression
IN the columns of a journal whose
proprietor boldly announces that he is
IN training for the Presidential nomi-
nation. Yet, after all that the pro-
prietOr Of this journal has said, or
may say hereafter, we venture the as
sertion that, far from holding Presi-
dent Roosevelt or his party response
bic in any way for the condition into
which the postal service has drifted,
public opinion will sustain President
Roosevelt in his attitude Of probing
the rottenness to the root, instead of
Furnishing him by retirement from
public life.
Our Democratic contemporaries are
attempting to extract sunbeams from
cucumbers, if they fancy that the ras-
cality in the Postoffice Department
has a peculiarly Republican flavor.
As the investigation proceeds it will
be found that Democratic leaders
were quite as much the beneficial
ries" Of the System" inaugurated by
the ring, as some Of their Republican
friends Indeed, the whole stupen-
dous structure of fraud and thievery
erected by those now trying to dodge
the arm of the law was purposely
made to rest upon a generous elimi-
nation of party lines. Without such
elimination the structure would have
toppled over at the first sign Of an
attack In Congress. The best proof
that the ring knew no Republican and
Democrat as such, but solely recog-
nized the bond that binds together
knaves and crooks the world over,
is found in the fact that last winter,
when The Times began the exposure
of PostOffice irregularities" not
voice was heard In either house of
Congress IN favor Of an investiga-
tion. And, we might pertinently add,
that the very same Democratic news
papers who now are loudest in their
denunciations of Republican ras-
cality" were then significantly silent;
NOt OiAey III IdCt, ldlSets IT'S ndDQ 10
help us in what seemed a struggle
against overwhelming odds
No; the Administration Of Theo-
dOre Roosevelt has nothing TO fear,
if it Will continue courageously to
hew to the line. 1t has nothing to
lose by parting company with thieves.
1t has everything to gain by keeping
its skirts clean. However grave the
abuses now brought to light, it had
to do with them. They were
not of its making. 1t inherited most
of them and cannot be held respon-
sible for their existence. 1t would be
held to a strict accountability, how
ever, if it permitted them, when dis
covered, to continue TO exist. 1t has
no intention, we are confident, Of do
ing this. And if in its self-appoint-
ed task it should fall foul of what we
called, the other day, the "old guard"
why, we shall love the Administra-
ton Of Theodore Roosevelt "for the
enemies it has made"