The Irish standard., 1903-07-25
Our Washington Letter.

Out washington Letter.
Washington. d. c., July 2Oth.-In-
| vcstiyation is the order of the day in
Washington. On the heels of the
postolticc inquiry comes the dcfalca-
ton in the auditors office of the Dis,
trict of Columbia. amounting to about
S771.non. Almost simultaneously with
the last came a strong odor of putri-
faction from the seed division of the
agricultural department., and an in
vcsti@ation is unavoidable. The divi-
sion Of army supplies of the war de-
lmrtnent is also under suspicion and
numerous fat rake-otfs are limited at.
The worl>houSc of the District of Col
lmhia is also in very bad repute. and
it will nc only Il matter of time before
the superintendent, Il most inefficient
official, will be removed. although he
has some political influence to back
him.
What the effect of these investiga-
lions will be upon the Republican par
ty, is hard to tell. On the face of the
situation this cleaning out Of the
Augcan stables should rebound to its
credit, but past experience has dem
onstrated that it has quite a contrary
tendency. Under the Grant admins
tration the wholesale investiga ton Of
frauds resulted in dreful conse-
quences to the Republicans, and the
present state of affairs is beginning to
resemble the conditions existing then.
One successful investigation brings to
light other irregularities. which, in
turn. need looking into, so that it is
| impossible to tell when the end will
be.
OF course, no one blamcs the prcsi-
dent, but here in Washington there
was considerable surprise manifested
when Mr.. Payne was selected for
postmaster general, for it WAS purely
Il political appointment. and certainly
appeared to be at variance With the
| civil service views Of Mr.. Roosevelt.
| Tic administration is willing
enough to probe into all kinds of
fraudulent transactions. and to turn
found. The fact is. it cam do nothing
else. for the Democrats next winter
would introduce as many resolutions
rs may he required To appoint invcsti-
eating committees and general over
hauling OF all the departments of the
government would follow. and may
in the light of present developments
he insisted upon. What this ovcrhaul
ing would bring forth may be easily
imagined. The administration of the
departments has been in the hands OF
the Republican party so long. thai
ln;lny gross frauds could have beer
prrpetratcd without MUCK danger OF
discovery.
Whether these developments will
have an adverse effect upon the party
| in power at the next presidential cleo
ton is not yet apparent. but TIL,
chances arc that they will have NJ
injurious tendency. With so many If
Irregularities cropping out in all dircc
tons. it would seem to be an easy
task to persuade the people that it j:
time for a new deal in natisna
politics.
Another feature which has not bee,
considered to any extent, is the con
tdencc the Republicans have in vic
tory at the coming election. \ Unite,
States senator, who has seen man,
years of service, and who is Il Re
publican. told me Il few days ago
that there is over-contiucncc enough
in the Republican party to defeat j
half a dozen times. if the Democrat
had sense enough to nominate tin
right man.
There is a move on foot to establish
in New York, a Catholic paper, undo
the title Of The National Catholic
Several Catholic financial men VIII
have been approached on the subject
are giving the project serious consid
Grafton. If the plans are carried out
the first issue of the paper will NJ
PEAR on Saturday, October 8. 100:
The intention is. 1 am crcditably il
formed, to put the Hon. Dominic
Murphy. the present editor and prs
Drictor Of tho New Century. of thi
city, in charge Of the new public:
ton. Ihc New Century. under hi
direction, has become 4 conscrvatiN,
high-toncd journal, and the sclectio
of Mr.. Murphy as editor of the Nj
! tional Catholic is in the nature Of
graceful and well-merited compliment