The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-06-18
WASHINGTON.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

VIII PreSlOeut Roosevelt nave the
moral courage 10 call for the resigna
tion of his political manager Post
master General pdyn.1 is the ques-
ton which persons familiar with the
Postoffice scandal are asking each
other 1t will be remembered that
while Mr.. Payne anticipated per-
functory investigation, he never ex-
pected ary thorough sitting Of the
Postoffice affairs and during his alb
sence First Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral Wynne made representations to
the President which caused the latter
to order Fourth Assistant Bristow to
make relentless investigation of the
alleged frauds. The result was that
when Payne returned from Porto Rico
he found the Department in tur-
moil and was besieged by the guilty
ones to put stop to Bristow's activi.
ty. This he was unable to do, since
Bristow was acting under direct orders
from the President and had already
been furnished wealth OF information
by Wynne. About this time the Pre-
sident left for the West and now that
he has returned he has been placed in
possession OF extensive evidence show
Ing that Payne had done everything
possible 10 thwart the investigation, as
has been related in these letters, and
that the Postmaster General has even
retained in the capacity of his "conh-
dental clerk" man, II. II. Rand,
| who is hand in glove with the Machen
crowd, who has used his office to fur
ther his private ends and has general
| ly abused his official position. From
remarks dropped by the President
there is no doubt were he not on the
eve of an election he would summar,ly
dismiss Payne but that he will have
the courage to do SO under the cir
cumstances is doubtful, especially as
Payne is the fond protege of Hanns.
XXX
| The President and his Postmaster
General have just been 10 Cleveland
to attend the wedding of Miss Ruth
Hanna a daughter of the Senator, and
it is regarded as especially significant
that Mr., Payne went to Ohio "a hours
before the President, his purpose un-
doubtedly being to talk over the stu
alton with his real chief before the
President arrived. 1t has been ascer-
tanned that Payne now has on his
desk report made by Bristow in re-
gard to the Tulloch charges, which
places former First Assistant Post
master General Perry Heath in a
most unfortunate light. Your cores
pondent, among many others, has
made daily demand on the Postmas-
ter General for a copy of this report
but SO anxious is Mr.. Payne to pro-
tect his friend and fellow member of
the republican National Committee,
that he is even incurring the condem-
nation OF the most loyal republican
newspapers, rather than permit the re-
port to become public.
XXI
, Senator Clay of Georgia, is in
Washington, and when seen by your
correspondent talked interestingly of
: democratic affairs. He said, "The
names most mentioned for democratic
candidate in my state are German
and Parker. At one time | thought
Parker would be sure of the nomina-
tlon but German appears to be gain
ing ground. l do not believe Cleve.
Y land will be candidate, and | think
that, It 1t becomes necessary, he will
E make al announcement to that effect,
| do not think any man can secure
J; the nomination by attempting to
swerve democratic sentiment. The
candidate will be the man whom the
, convention regards as most available
: at the time it meets. With regard to
. issues, believe we should present
a conservative platform. would not
a exclude the tariff issue but would not
favor sweeping changes that would
disturb business. Silver should be
: omitted entirely. 1t belongs to the
past. l was an advocate of silver and
t believe in it now, but 1 realize that
a the time is at hand for us to make a
S conservative platform on which all can
. stand, dealing only with issues of the
! present day.
! XXX
An illustration of the bunglins
manner in which naval affairs are
: handled these days, is furnished by
L the recent order issued by Secretary
] Moody for four war ships to proceed
e to Chill. Immediately the story was
circulated that the ships were sent al
! the request of the British Ambassador
because of the labor troubles in Val
!, paralso and numerous rumors began
|. to fly. The Chilian Minister, DR.
h Walker-Martinez, promptly filed q
protest saying there was no occasion
| for such an exnedition and that there