The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-09-17
WASHINGTON LETTER
(FRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
Washington, D. c., Sept. 10, 1908.

A'oc'
Postmaster General Payne has sown
the wind and he, or the President, must
reap the whirlwind. This is the con-
fident prediction not only of democratic
but of republican politicians, The dis
charge of Miss Hulda Todd, poetmis-
tress of Greenwood, Delaware, to please
Senator Alice, the Aodicks Senator, has
met with the severest condemnation
throughout the country and will be
made a national issue if not reversed.
If reversed, the President may pass un-
scathed, but Postmaster General Payne,
will in the opinion of those in position
to Judge, have to resign. Postmaster
General Payne, who was called to the
cabinet at the request of Senator Hanna
because the latter owed many politi-
cal debts, has never acquitted himself
with credit in his present position.
Everyone in close touch with the Post
Office investigation appreciates that had
there not been Bristow at hand, not
only to take the lead, but to skillfully
place his chief in positions where he
was compelled to take proper course,
the whole investigation would have
proven farce and it is further
known that in many instances Payne
has by his obsequiousness to the politi-
cal bosses and his loyalty to political
henchmen unworthy Of trust, placed al
most insurmountable obstacles in Bris-
tow's way. Now. however, he has
capped the climax and if Mr.. Roosevelt
makes the least pretension to consis-
tency he cannot fail to relieve the post
service of man whose every concep-
tion Of his duty is at total variance
with the Presidents professions.
Just as the Todd incident was being
telegraphed from one end of the coun-
try to the other, another Delaware de-
velopment occurred and served to recall
the most discreditable incident of the
Roosevelt administration. United
States District Attorney William Mic
hazel Byrne has resigned Byrne re-
signed his position asme time ago tori
for Congress but was defeated because
he was an Addicks republican. After
his defeat, the President sent his nomi-
nation to the Senate but Senator Hoar,
chairman Of the Judiciary Commit
tee was so opposed to "Addicksism"
that he fought Byrne's confirmation and
was successful. When the Senate con-
vened in special session the President
again sent in Byrnes nomination and
again Mr.. Hoar defeated Its confirma-
tion. Then, after he had twice been re-
pudiated by the Senate because of his
association with an infamous political
corruptionist, he was again appointed
to the position by Mr. Roosevelt, rs a
"recess appointment. Now he has re-
signed because he appreciates that the
Senate will never confirm HIM and the
President cannot oppose the wishes OF
that body when it is in session Decent
people, irrespective Of party, are hoping
that the President will have the courage
| to wash his hands Of the notorious Ad
dicks for all time, but the telegraphic
new is to the effect that Addick's lieu
tenant, Alice, has already gone to Oys
ter Bay to secure the selection OF an Ad
dicks man as Byrne's successor and the
public will await with interest the news
of the reception accorded him by Mr.
Roosevelt
| Commissioner of Labor, Carroll D.
Wright, has, in the capacity Of umpire
for a board Of conciliation appointed
under the provisions Of the decision Of
the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission
rendered an important decision affecting
labor. Mr.. Wright, adSudicating 4
case where the laDor interests claimed
that one of their number has been dis
charged without cause. points out tba
the right OF discharge must remair
with the employer, the only alternative
being the forfeiture OF the right of quit
tai on the part of the employed. Ii
other words, if the employer, has NJ
right to discharge his men then the mel
can claim no right TO quit and a virtua
surfdom would be thus created. Th
labor organizations are said to be dis
pleased with the decision, Mr.. Wright
consollary is 50 obvious that it is pro
bable that when further reflection ha
enabled them to take broader view o
the situation they will appro ciate tn
Justice Of the decision.
There have been some importan
developements IN connection with tn
Postoffice Investigation during the pas
week but their real Significance is thu
far guarded with the utmost secrecy
1t is known that the District OF Colum
bia grand jury has returned seven in
dictments against six persons, but VIII
those persons are it is impossible to ~
certain. Arrests are expected hourl
, now and AZ soon AZ they are made tn