Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-12-10
REPUBLICANS AND DOODLE.
Thorough Renovation Demanded and
Necessary in the Federal
Service.

Such meager accounts of the depart
ment swindles as have heretofore filtered
into the press have butpoorly served to
prepare the public mind for Bristow's
revelations, and the sense of shock is
keen and profound. The extent and
character of graft as disclosed by the re-
port is almost Supplying, and were it
not for the fact that the public is accus-
toned to the idea of millions, the mere
numerical magnitude would be difficult
Of comprehension. Fifteen years ago
millions of graft" would have been al
most unintelligible, says the st. Louis
Republic.
That graft in one department alone
has been on a scale to justify the en-
ployment of 40 inspectors for six months
in investigating it is a suggestive fact
which assists the Imagination to grasp
the truth. And that the system discov-
cred has been developing through two
administrations, extending its ramifi-
cations and perfecting it's operations,
undisturbed save by superficial exam
nations, is another poignant fact. And
President Roosevelt's expressions, such
as gross corruption" bribery and
blackmail," Fleeing the public" give
further color and suggestion to the great
melancholy fact.
Unq~uestionably the principal signifi-
canoe CT Mr.. Bristow's report is to con
firm the belief that graft is deep-rooted
in practically every department of *
ecutive business and to strengthen the
public conviction that the only way to
cure it effectually is to apply the Whole
sale cure of the ballot. Mr.. Roosevelt's
own comments make legitimate and
proper the discussion Of the scandals
political phase at this time. Obviously
he seeks thus early to anticipate and
avoid the political effect of the dis
closure.
In discussing the matter of cure, he
says: "All questions of difference II
party policy sink into insignificanct
when the people of the country are
brought face to face with a question like
this" Kssuredly such differences ough
to sink unless they are vital to the cur.
itself. If they initiated against thu
~thoroughgoing renovation obviously de
manded and conceded to be necessary il
the federal service they ought to be ig
nored by the people.
But what are the differences" ant
ho-, Jo +hr,y offopt rofcrroS Tho dawn
cratic party insists upon a final and com
plete overhauling of the service and tn,
utter demolition Of graft. The repub
lican party has put itself in the attit'ld
of defense upon the issue of reform
From the outset it has been an apollo
gist, seeking on the one hand to excus
corruption which was revealed, denyin!
party responsibility therefor, and on tn
other hand denying that extensive graz
existed. Not until investigations and eX
posures became inevitable, perforce o
public insistence, did the administrator
act, and its progressions in the worl
have been marked by reluctance and b
s%ullenness toward the public. For tn
partial IeSultS actually achieved Tie du
ministration deserves credit, but NJ
amount Of reform activity hencefortl
a change the fact of its early attitud
upon the scandals. 1t has sought t
make a virtue of necessity; of which tn
people are duly cognizant. 1t now ad
mits the extent and character of tn
frauds-those only, however, Of whic,
the nation is already fully informed
and vigorously proclaims that reform i
necessary. The difference" to whicl
Mr.. Roosevelt refers relates to the ques
ton of which party is better calculate
to accomplish the work.
1t is equally difIiculttobeiieve that tn
republican party if retained in powe
and left to its own devices would seri
ously disturb the present conditions o
federal service; and to comprehend hoy
a wholesale renovation, consequent up
on a change Of administration, could fai
to produce the desired result. Let the re
publican party be judged by its reform
record.