The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-04-22
TALES OF REPUBLICAN RAsGlLI7Y.
Departmental Gossip From Wash
ington---How High Officials
Shield The Corrupt subordi-
rates and Prevent Their
Punishment.

Washington, April 2o.-If the Presi-
dent desires a thorough investigation
of the Postofice scandals and the ex-
posure of the rascals rather than a
whitewashing, he had better manage
to infuse little Of bis strenuousness
into his Postmaster General, said a
prominent official of the Government
to your correspondent today, and that is
the general impression among all who
have closely watched the course of
events since Postmaster General Payne
returned from his southern cruise. 1t
is evident that the Postmaster General
has no heart in the investigations
which are being conducted by Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General Bristow
and that, as a result of political in
fuence, or for other reasons, he would
like to prolong the affair until the
public is weary Of it and then drop it
with as little publicity as possible.
With an evident desire to curtail the
publicity which the affair bas been re-
ceiving in the newspapers, the Post
master General has twice, taken oc-
casion to say to the newspaper cores
pondents whom he receives each day at
4 p. m., that he would expect them to
prove the allegations which they send
to their papers and that it was more
than possible that General Bristow
would attempt to drag them into the
investigation and make them testify as
to the sources of their information.
Charges OF the gravest mport are being
fled almost daily, but no word regard
ing them is given to the public, and it
is doubtful if they will ever be made
public unless on an unequivocal order
from the President or on the impera-
tive request of Congress.
The appearance of Cousin" Abner
Mckinley in Washington this week
was not altogether surprising, but it is
taken to confirm the rumor that Mr..
Mckinley is trying to protect his old
friend Superintendent Machen Of the
Postoffice Department from the fire Of
Presidential wrath. Mr. Mckinley
had a long talk with Mr.. Machen and
from him went Immediately to the
Postmaster General with whom he was
closeted for some time. It was gener-
ally believed that when Perry Heath
was First Assistant Postmaster Gener-
al, it was Mr.. Mckinley that effected
the withdrawal Of the request for Mr..
Machen's resignation which had been
made at that time.
A proceeding which reflects grave
discredit on certain officials OF the
Administration has just come to light
in connection with the smuggling cases
in Porto Rico. Officers Of the army and
navy and some civilians were recently
arrested for smuggling wines, silks
and tobacco into Porto Rico, and the
case was taken up at the instance of
the United States Attorney for the ISL
and. When Secretary of the Navy
Moody, Postmaster General Paine,
Representatives Cannon and others
we're in Porto Rico they were appealed
to in the matter and Immediately on
their return to Washington tie United
States Attorney was instructed to
nolle pros'' the cases. The Porto
Rican Judge refused to entertain the
plea, however, and the grand jury has
indicted the officers and civilians. The
Department Of Justice, On being nctl-
fed that the local judge refused to dis
miss the cases cabled the attorney. in
part, Considerations OF moment not
confined to Porto Rico Or indivlduals
involved have moved Administration,
after full investigation and dellbera-
tion, to course directed which will be
adhered to-" What will be the further
course of the Administration, row
that the culprits have been indicted
remains to be seen, but 1t IS difficult
to see reason or Justice in the apparent
exemption granted to smugglers, ap-
parentiy on the ground that they are
army and navy officers who should be
the first to uphold the law.
A news item has reached Washington
from Ohio which has excited the keen
est interest. It is to the effect that
Senator Hanna is to no longer enjoy
| the position of supreme dictator Of re-
publican affairs in his state but must,
as a result Of his defeat in Cleveland
by Mayor johnson, share his dictator
shin with Senator Foraker and George
B. Cox of Cincinnati. This informa-
tion is of especial interest because Of
the fact that the Ohio republicans
hold their state convention in June to
select a candidate fol. Governor and
/, Nh. Hanna has already selected his
candidate, Mr. Myron Z. Herrick. In
selecting Mr.. Herrick, Senator Hanna
turned down General Dick, Of Akron.
now r member Of Congress. General
Dick has long had gubernatorlal
aspirations and there are those who
believe he will land the plum this year
despite Mr.. Hanna. Meanwhile the
mere suggestion of a factional fight
in republican ranks strikes terror to
the republican politicians because OF
the recognized strength of Tom John
son.
Rumors of the necessity of an in
vestigation in the Navy Department,
especially one that would go very
thoroughly into the question Of am
munition and tue contracts let for
naval vessels, continue to circulate
DESPITE the efforts of the Secretary to
discredit them The accident ON the
Iowa, the damage to the Maine. the
prompt disavowal of any responsibility ty
on the part of the contractors, by Off
GERS of the Navy almost before there
had been time to ascertain the full
extent of the damages to the latter
vessel, are all cited as indicating the