The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1903-06-19
Washington Letter.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

from Our Regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. e., June II, 1908.
The President has not had time to
thoroughly familiarize himself with
conditions in Washington relative to
the Postotfice Department, although
he has had two long conferences with
the Postmaster General regarding the
current Postoffice investigation. Mr..
Roosevelt expresses himself entirely
satisfied with tho manner IN which
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow has been conducting the in
vestigation and is pleased at the
cleverness with which various clews
have been followed. 1t appears that
when the inspectors on the Machen
case had become convinced that there
were discriminating checks in certain
banks they secured the assistance Of
the Treasury officials. The latter or
dered an examination Of the banks
and the bank examiners discovered
the checks required. This was the
evidence which was presented to the
Grand jury and which secured the in.
dictment uf Machen and the Croft
brothers.
Two very serious problems have
confronted the President this week.
One he has probably settled. although
no announcement has yet been made.
1t has been rumored that Senator
Hanna would be replaced. as chair
man OF the national csmmittee, by a
man more friendly to Mr.. Roosevelt
and the names Of Senators Quay and
Lodge have been mentioned in this
connection. 1t Is known that it was
the intention OF the President to talk
over this subject with Mr.. Hanna in
Cleveland but what decision was ar
rived at remains to be learned.
The other problem which confronts
President Roosevelt, is his Postmas-
ter General. 1t is obvious that Mr..
Payne's conduct OF the Postoffice in
vestigation, 10 80 far as he has con-
Quoted it at all, has been in direct
violation Of the wishes of the Presi-
dent. Mr.. Roosevelt is determined
that the whole affair shall be sifted
to the bottom and that there shall
be no covering up OF breaches Of trust
for the purpose OF saving prominent
republicans from censure. Mr..
Payne, on the other hand, has done
everything in his power to belittle
charges and avoid publicity. He has
now on his desk report Of Post
Office inspector which reflects serious
dlscredit on his old friend Perry
Heath. The most loyal republican
newspapers have demanded that this
report be made public and the Presi-
dent has intimated to Mr.. Payne
that such would be the judicious
course but still Payne refuses to give
it out. Nearest to Mr.. PAYNE is H.
II. Rand, termed confidential clerk
to the Postmaster General" Rand
has been mixed up in numerous stock
jobbing schemes, has used the Post.
master Generals stationary and stem
ographers to boom the peculiar stock.
IN which he deals, organized In tn,
Department the National Capita
Mining Company and made Macber
president, and is known to be hand II
glove with the Nachen, Beavers ring
The day before he left for Ohio, tn,
President summoned Mr.. Payne t,
the White House to explain VIII,
Rand Is retained In his present posi-
ton and 1t is expected that he will b
forced to give up his portege.
A prominent republican official VIII,
by the way, says that the Presiden
has urged Senator Hanna to retail
the craftsmanship Of the nationa
committee, is authority for the state
ment that Mr.. Roosevelt wants Gov
ern ,r Taft to take the second plac
on the republican ticket. Many O
the Presidents friends favor Gov
Taft's nomination. They say b
would add strength to the ticket be
cause OF his excellent administrator
OF Philippine affairs, that he woul,
make an excellent President IL any
thing were to happen to Mr.. Roose
velt before the end OF his term, an,
that, as he is an eloquent and mag
netic speaker, he would be able L
handle the speaking end Of the cam
paign with success. It Is felt b
many influential republicans that tn
nomination OF man for the sol
reason that he could carry a doubtful
state would be most injudicious
They want a man who could acuu,
himself with credit II the RESPONSE
bilitieS of the President shnnld &,