The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-02
\ POLITICAL DOCUMENT.

What was the necessity for the little moral ap
pendix fixed by Mr.. Roosevelt to the big chapter
of Republican crimes? Why was he not content tc
let the Bristow report stand without comment? Is
not his ponderous proclamation of purpose sheer
attempt to lessen the weight of significance which
the recital of facts contains for the people?
The administrations late buster must be regarded
i'll the light of all the facts. beginning with the pro-
losue Of whit proves to he the greatest POLITICAL sean
dl in the record of civilization Congress had twice
wlitewashed the scandal the situation confront
ell the Roosevelt administration. The scandals
existence and its dimensions We're matters of com
mon knowledge within inner administration circles.
The possibilities for laying it open and reforming
the service were as large when Mr.. Roosevelt as
cended to the executive post as they to-day Yet
Mr.. Roosevelts first action bearing upon the scandal
was the appointment of Postmaster General Payne.
with Il record for fixing and manipuiations,
better qualified by record and experience to con-
time the Republican policy of suppression than any
other individual the length of the land, and not espe
cially qualified for other functions.
The appointment in ITSELF if not conclusive of
the fact at least had great evidentary force to show
the attitude of Mr. Roosevelt indicating that his
administration anticipated the political dangers of
disclosure and was accepting the onus and incum-
brance of the scandal in the spirit in which it
had been bequeathed That Payne has acted under
his chiefs orders throughout the entire course Of
developments cannot be gainsaid; Mr.. Roosevelt
himself upon his return to the capital after his
Western tour ratified and confirmed all the acts of
Payne the acts of himself and the administra-
ton: These facts have an antedating evidentary
weight streng thening the conclusion that suppress
sion was premeditated at the beginning.
Seymour u. TullOch proved the first snag for the
administration. And had it not been for the clam
orous persistence Of this man, armed with facts, it
is entirely probable that suppression would have
succeeded and the public be still in ignorance or
the black page of history
As it was, on the eve of departure, Mr.. Roose-
welt was moved to 'order a thorough investigation"
He could have ordered 1t many months before-the
Tulloch charges had been made even prior to his
coming into the presidency he ordered 1t only when
rulloch by indomitable insistence in fighting against
tremendous odds had enlisted the press of nation.
incidentally, it would be interesting now to know
just what. If any. secret overtures were made to
Tulloch by machine representatives during the par
lous period when truth hung suspended and dark
above the Republican stewardship.
Mr.. Roosevets ordering" did not. however pre-
vent Payne's pOOh-poohins and belittng the scan
lal during Mr. ROosevelts absence. In connection
with Mr.. ROOSeveltS ORDER 1t was circulated freely
throughout the country by partisan newspapers that
the purpose of the Investigation ito clear the
department Of charges A horde of defenders
sprang uD with speeches. 49,. .s-.. ,-..-
But the administration had plunged in deeper
than it reckoned. a great press campaign ensued;
united activity delved for the TRUTH startling finds
were made. For hazardous hour the administra-
lion halted between two courses-should it recede
and risk the consequences of crawfshing or go on
10 the bitter end and confront the whole record of
nfamy? Circumstances and the press saved it the
Derplexity Of deciding; it was driven on through
sheer might Of the public will
Now 1t seeks under the direction of Mr.. Roose-
'elt, to buster through bad situation. 1t pro-
pounds huge moralities and proclains exalted pur-
,oses, making virtue of necessity, hoping to he in
1t the death.
Mr.. Roosevelts disquisition is designed palpably
enough as a political document; declaration Of
good intentions. 1t is under the circumstances an
important paper-but it comes too late to serve its
purpose Its sincerity is by no means impressive
when it is read in the light of the administrations
ecord. 1t is only valuable to the people as con-
ession Of Republican sins.