The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-06
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
Politicians Say Former Postmaster
General Smith Has Contributed
Nothing to Postal Investigation.
Tho on His Vacation the President
Keeps in Close Touch With
Washington.
From The Journal Bureau, Room As, Post Build

+. |
From The Journal Bureau, Room IS, Post Build
Ing, Washington.
Washington, July 6,--It is the judgment
Of well-informed people in the east that
Former Postmaster General Smith has not
added anything worth while to the post
office investigation by his latest state
ments and his double Headed editorials in
the Philadelphia Press, He has shown
himself to be considerably worked UP over
the case, but that is about all, and it |
probably would have been better all around
If he had remained silent.
AS the postoffice investigation proceeds, |
1t becomes more and more apparent that
q mistake was made by the administration
in recognizing the Tulloch charges, mas |
much as they refer to condition of at |
fairs which existed several years ago, and
which cannot now be reached. The effect |
OF that recognition has been to add all
unplea SAINT element Of sensation to the |
investigation and create the impression in
the mind OF the average newspaper reader
that the rOttenneSS complained OF by Hull |
loch exists to- day. No Roosevelt appointee
thus far has been involved in the scandal
and none Is under suspicion
The newest development in the inyestl-
cation is the suggestion that certain
phases of 1t be conducted by the bureau
of corporations of the department of COM
merce and labor. Whoever does the in
vestigating, however, is to be under the
immediate eye Of the president who is
very generally commended for having
taken personal charge of the matter. lac
proposes to extend the inquiries into all
of the other executive departments dur
Ing the coming summer and fall, so as
to be able to say specifically in his mes
sage to congress that the investigation
has been thoro and complete.
This explains why Secretary Shaw
abandoned his trip to Europe after hay
ing made plans to accompany his, family.
The Shaws will sail from New York this
week Saturday, but the secretary will re-
main in Washington during the heated
spell to assume directions. under the pres
ident, of the inquiries into the other de-
partmeHts. 1t is the plain of the presi-
dent to do this work so carefully as to
leave no ground for an investigation by
congress next winter.
Parker Boom In the South
Judge Alton B. Parker is in Georgia,
where the democrats are haling him
"the next president of the United States"
The trip was planned to bring Judge Par
ksr favorably before the southern demo-
cratic leaders and if possible, secure their
support for him as q democratic presl-
dental nominee, and it's beginnings,
therefore, may be regarded as being highly
gratifying to his friends and political
hackers. On the surface, the southern
trip of Judge Parker was for the purpose
of an address before the Georgia Bar
association, but it has been known for
q long time that this address was to be
merely an excuse for the trip. He has
no personal acquaintance with southern
democrats, and it is Of course necessary
that, before they consent to support him
in the national convention next year, they
know something about him from personal
contact; hence, the address before the
Georgia bar, and the other events which
will characterize the trip.
Cleveland a Bar<ls
Mr.. Cleveland has not succeeded in hav
ang the eastern public accept his denial
of the Bailey interview. 1t is believed
here that the former president cor
rectly quoted, and that his denial Of the
interview Is only another evidence of his
unwillingness to be taken out of the field
of presidential possibilities for next year
Mr.. Bailey said in the interview quoting
Mr. Cleveland, that Cleveland was not a
candidate for a third term and would
not be one under any considera ton. The
denial, therefore rather emphasizes the
belief that Cleveland doesn't want to be
placed in a position next year where the
party can't reach him If the need should
come.
President Dodges ffice-Seekers.
The presidents announcement, thru the
Associated Press that he will not receive
callers indiscriminat at Oyster Bay
during the vacation season was made
necessary on account Of the plans or GER
tain eastern politicians and office-seekers
to make life burden for him. No man
having legitimate business with the pres
ident will be shut out but in order to
make sure that the visitors are coming
matters that the president should give
time to, they will be required to make
dates thru Secretary Loeb. 1t is not the
Intention Of the president, of course, to
get away from public business during his
vacation, but he does want to get away
from the office brokerage part of 1t sc
far as such thing may be possible. He
is personally directing the postoffce in
vestigation, and is keeping in close touch
with all public questions at home anC
. abroad. Special leased wires connect him
with the White House here, and he i:
in close touch with the several members
of his cabinet. This important public
business he intends to discharge, but he
wants the office seekers to let him alone
until cooler weather.
Barrett's Reward.
John Barrett, recently made. minister t
the Argentine republic was given th
office In return for his declination of thu
Japanese embassy. The president Offered
him the Japanese mission by cable, ant
Barrett accepted it. Then Japan objected
to him, because Of certain alleged uncom
plimentary remarks regarding the island
which Barrett made in the course of pub
lie speeches in this country and in news
paper interviews in Asia. The presiden
was much embarrassed, owing to Bar
retts having accepted the appointment
before Japan made her opposition known
and finally the matter satisfactory.
adjusted by cable, Barrett withdrawing
his acceptance, putting it on the groun'
of prior engagement with the st. Loui
exposition management The president /
remembering him for his kindness b.
sending him to Argentina
Discussing Cannon.
The east is taking good deal of inter
est in the alleged views Of Representativ
Cannon regarding financial legislation i
the next congress. Word has been give1
out here that the next speaker is oppose
to both the modified Aldrich bill and t
the bill prepared by a little company o