Gilpin observer., 1903-04-30
WASHINGTON LETTER
Washington, April 81, 1903.

The appearance of Senator Hoar ana
William Jennings Bryan, Charles Emory
Smith and Governor Montague OF Vir-
ginia at the same banquet table in Wash
ington and the unanimous eulogies OF
Thos. Jefferson pronounced by. these men
of widely differing political views const-
tuted one Of those remarkable tributes
which few statemen are accorded. MIR.
Hoar in his remarks emphasized this fact
when he said "If we want sure proof
of Thomas Jefferson's greatness it will
be found in the fact that men of every
variety of political opinion, however far
asunder, find confirmation of their doc
trine in him." Mr.. Bryan dwelt on JET
fersons recognition of the necessity OF
free speech and free opinion. He said
in part, "To Jefferson the right of free
speech and free opinions applied to
everything, because he rightly under
stood that no cenorship of opinion could
be permitted that would not be more
dangerous to truth than to error, for
those who are conscious of the right
eousness opinions as those who are con-
scious of error, and who, recognizing
their inability by reason, fal! back upon
coercion" Contrary to the expectations
of many, the Jefferson dinner was not
productive of any important political
/, utterances.
Strong pressure is being brought to
bear on Secretary of the Navy Moody
to cause general investigation into the
bursting of the big gun on the Iowa and
also into the dsablement OF the Maine as
result of the firing of her turret guns.
An examination of the, Main proves
that she has been seriously injured and
the cost of remedying the damage is
variously estimated up to 100000. Not
only have the supports of her turrets
been injured but the emplacements Of
her six inch guns have been found to be
weak and her boilers have suffered ser.
ious injury. The contractors of the
Maine have hastened to secure immunity
from all damage ella inns by getting from
the Secretary of the Navy a statement
fathered by Chief Naval Constructor
Bowes, to the effect that they are not to
blame for the injury, but, in the opinion
of some we'll posted naval officers, this
statement was made prematurely and
even should it, on further examination
prove to be entirely correct the question
| =.
edies should be taken to prevent re
currence of such damages and conse
quently heavy expenses?
***
The postofiice investigation still con-
tinues and there is every reason to be-
lieve that ample ground has been found
to warrant the removal OF several offici.
ais, but for some unknown reason, pre-
sumely political pressure, the Postmas-
ter General has refrained from taking
the necessary steps. He says that the
investigation will continue until they
are probed to the bottom, but he falters
when it comes to taking the steps which
would most facilitate the work of the in
spectators, the suspension of suspected
officials pending the result OF the in
quiry. 1t now transpires that Mr..
Machem, superintendent Of the free de.
livery division. was requested to resign
in 1897, but that an inspector on the
case failed to ind sufficient evidence
and the request was withdrawn before
| it had been acted upon.
***
The latest charge presented for in
vestigation comes from the comptroller
of the treasurer who has caused inquiry
to be made regarding the status of
twelve machinists, examiners and re-
/ pairers of the complicated cancellng
machines used in the larger postoffces
of the country. These machines are
rented by the government at rentals
varying from $3.50 to S400 year and the
question naturally arises, are not the
owners bound to keep the machines in
repair? Additional force is given to the
question by the fact that these men
have been carried on the rolls as "book
keepers" evidently with the purpose of
deceving Congress and possibly the
Civil Service Com mission. Like all
other charges the matter has been
placed under investigation.
~
Senator Morgan of Alabama has made
public an interview in which he accuses
the president of deception regarding the
Panama canal treaty. He alleges the
president wilfully withheld Information
called for by the Senate oil February IL
until the 49, the day of adjournment,