The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-14

What manner of man was this brought
out from the West TO be placed in charge
of it? In Kansas, even, where Bristow
had become quite well known, and where
the Importance of the bureau was not
properly estimated, it was wondered
whether Bristow would be big enough
TO fill the place.
Bristow went to Washington. He took
hold Of his monstrous job as though he
were at his newspaper desk, or the desk
Of the secretary to the governor of Kan
sas. He applied himself 70 his task, and
he set about it to know a little more
about what was going on in the depart
ment than anyone else-and he soon did.
He mastered details and inaugurated re-
forms. He became a rigid taskmaster
and disciplinarian, but for the public s
good. He recognized the bureau. but
more especially the inspection division.
His trained corps Of young men was soon
ferreting out all manner Of wrongdoings,
small though they were. His appointment
division handled the enormous work of
appointing and commissioning thousands
of new postmasters all over the country,
with consummate skill and incredible IA
dent and the then postmaster general,
Charles Emory Smith, and possessed their
condolences to the highest degree.
But it was not until 1900 that Bristow's
opportunity really came. The Cuban pos
tai scandals began to be a source of en-
barrassment and the administration de-
cided TO air them. The president and the
postmaster general picked on Bristow for
the job. he went to Cuba. and for three
months, night and day, overturned every
thing, sitting here, sitting there, until
he had performed the task given him.
His succinct and clear report afterward
was one of the finest bits Of official work
which has been given publicity in many
years. His suggestions were acted upon.
His advice was taken. The evils were
righted. Cuban postal service was placed
on a clean and business-like basis. The
execrations of Nicely and Rathbone and
their friends and political hackers ever
since 1890 are a standing monument 10
Bristow's meritorious labors.
In 1902 the "get-rich-quick' scheme be-
gan to be talked about Bristow had al
ready had his inspectors at work on these
and the shakings-up that followed so ex-
peditiously were another tribute to him.
Early in 1903 there began to be rumors
Of scandals in the department at Wash
ington. Bristow talked with the president
about them, and desired carte-blanche in
his Investigations. The president knew
Bristow, and believed in him. He gave
him abundant authority, and the rest is
known. Every removal, every resigna-
ton every purged spot is due to Bris-
lows work, and the highest praise has
recently publicly been given him by the
postmaster general and the president
But he is not yet through, nor will he be
until his untiring energy, his Jealous hon
esty, and his interchangeable work shall
have brought about the last of the evil
dong.
Bristow personally is curious He is
tall. lank. stopped. You know he is fear
less by the cut of his jaw. You know he
is honest by the clear directness of his
eye. You know he is tireless by the build
Of man he is, and his appearance. 1t is
ina gined that he is austere
and cold, but in truth he is genial. So
cable, pleasant and of happy disposition.
lou would think him veritably a Puritan,
but when you know him you find some
traces of the Puritans antithesis-the
Cavalier. Above all he is honest. brave,
manly and upright. He is Theodore
Roosevelts idea of what man in a pub
lie office should be. Nothing higher in
praise of him could be said than that
R. H. FAXON