The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1903-06-12
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., June 3, 1903.
If there has been doubtin any quar-
ter as to President + 90 ievelt's popu-
larity it must have Eeen completely
dissipated by the events of the past
week "There can be no question re-
gardlng President Roosevet's nomln-
alton by the republican convention in
1902, said Cabinet officer TO your
correspondent recently, after discuss
! ing the events Of the past ten days.
Following closely upon Senator Han
mas announc cement that he would not
oppose the adoption If a resolution Of
endorsement in the Ohio Convention,
Senator Fairbanks, who, with Mr.
Hanna's support, would have made
the next strongest republican candi-
date, came out with the statement
that Indiana would cast solid vote
for the President Senator Platt of
| New York has also made a similar
statement and according to the Cabi-
net Ollicer referred to, "There is pos
itiyely no ground for doubt regarding
Mr.. Rooseyelts nomination." Under
these circumstances the president re-
turns to Washington with his hands
upheld and In a position to act as
fearessly in the future as in the past.
The people are with him and the pol
iticians, If any there are, sulking in
their tents, will be compelled to get
into the procession.
Further important developments
in the Post0fiice situation which have
been anticipated for more than a
week, have not yet materalized al
though they are daily expected. Post
master General Payne has received
and given to the public the replies to
the Tulloch charges made by eX-Post.
err General Smith, ex-First Assistant
Postmaster General Heath, and, in
fact all the officers who were involved
in Mr.. Tulloch's allegations of irregu-
larity. One reply, however, remains
on the Postmaster Generals desk,
sealed communication in so far as the
public is concerned. 1t is a report of
Fourth Assistant Postmaster Bristow
relating to an inspection made of the
Washington Office and based on Tul-
loch's charges. This report is under
stood to support many Of the alleg =
tions made, and the public is anxious
ly awaiting its publication before it
Is willing to regard the Tulloch affair
as closed incident The statements
already given out are all eXparte.
Bristow's report will not be so regard
ed. The replies SO far published deal
in generalities. Tulloch dealt in
specific charges and 1T is Brstow'S
reply to those specific counts that the
public awaits with intense interest.
One OF the most difficult problems
which will confront the President in
the Postotiice affair will be the recon
citation of Postmaster General Payne
and his first Assistant, Mr.. Wynne
Wynne, with the instincts of news
paperman and intense loyalty TO Mr.
, Roosevelt, sought by every mean!
possible to expose the rascals in tn,
Department. He believed that {
purging of the Postotfice Department
Of fraud would constitute prout
achievement for the Roosevelt ad-
ministration. Payne, ON the othe
hand, with the instincts of poll
tieian and intense loyalty to the re
publican party, sought by every mean
y possible to avoid publicity and t,
save from censure men who had beef
prominent in the party. 1t is no
D doubted that he desired to turn on
actual rascals, but he would have ex
posed no man guilty of irregulartie
: for the benefit of the party as IN con.
tradistinction to personal benefit
The result of these two conflicting at
titudes and points of view has bee
to create strained relations and not
wthstanding the fact that onl
WYnne's persistence has resulted il
the exposure of Machen, Miller, Ty
ner, ct al, Payne regards him as per
soma non grata. The outcome of tn
= affair depends on the president.
The State Department, which ha
heretofore preserved perfectly neu
trail attitude regarding the isthmia
- canal, is beginning to feel some anx
s iety, not to say irritation, at the pro
crastination of the Colombian Gov
: eminent regarding the treaty lon
since sent to Bogota. Reports from
Bogota indicate the most intense bit
terness of spirit there, and while tn
v lls l.