The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-12-04
The CHIEF onerders.


service July 81. 1900. is set forth in The
report of Mr.. Bristow."
The Chief Onerders.
The president then continues:
1.-THE three chief offenders in the
government service were Tyner. Ma
chen and Beavers. The friends Of Ty-
ner have advanced the theory that in
his case the chief offender was really
his nephew by marriage. Barrett. who
was his assistant in the Office for a
part OF the time. and that Tyner's Of
fenses are due 10 his failing bodily and
mental powers The facts set forth in
Mr.. Bristow's report do not tend 10
subsiantiate the validity OF these ex-
cuses for Tyner. while they show lit
orally astounding misconduct in Bar
rett For Machen and Beavers no ex-
cuSe OF any kind has been alleged. In
the case OF Metcalf. the superintendent
Of the money-order system. the most
vigorous protests were at first made on
his behalf by a large number Of rep
utable citizens, and also by others
who were at the time deemed repuia a
bic. but who. II has since been discov-
cred. were profiting by Metcalf's mis-
conduct
During Machen's term Of service he
was twice investigated by the congress.
once by committee Of the senate and
once by committee Of the house. but
cleared on each occasion. Yet at that
very period. as has been shown in the
present investigation. he was engaged
in the corrupt business for which he
has now been removed and indicted
This Is no reflection upon the commit
tees who conducted the investiga-
ton: for so skillfully had Machen cps-
cealed his wrongdoing that 1t was only
revealed after months OF laborious and
work by trained inspectors.
For Extending Limitation statutes.
II heartily approve of the recon-
mendation Of Messrs Conrad and
Bonaparte that the statute of limita-
tons be extended in the case of gov
eminent servants 10 a period Of ar
least five years; for the persons who
In such positions Of trust engage in
corrupt practices can ordinarily con-
real their guilt for longer time than
Is covered by the present short statute
Df limitations
However. the prime need is not
new legislation. but the punishment OF
hose who offend against existing laws.
The post Office department Is max
mr. certain changes in the methods OF
administration, notably in the method
~ inspection. by which the service will
be improved and the chance Of corrup-
ion existing without discovery be
but the only way to meet
he real evil is to punish the offenders.
by removal In any event, and where
,Ossible by prosecution under the
'riminal statutes. In any great busi-
less. public or private. wrongdoing is
'ertain at times TO occur. The way to
'uard against II is vigorously TO scru-
inize the character Of those appointed.
arefully TO supervise their actions ar
er appointment. and. finally. to punish
With relentless severity those who go
wrong. All this Is being done.
VIII Push Punlsb m~nt.
The immediate reformation OF the
ervice by the turning out OF the Of
enders is not in itself enough TO meet
he demands OF justice. The cases
gainst both those within and those
Without the post Office department. who !
y their acts have brought themselves
within the grasp Of the law, will be |
ushed with the utmost vigor Every |,
fort must be made to see that both |
he delinquent Official and tie out
ider who shares his guilt are pun |