The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-07
BOODLES FRIENDS.

One of the Republican organs, unfalerng in its
extremely partisan allegiance, levels unwarranted
inSinuations against the public officials who have
exposed grlfting in the elcemosynary institutions
and at the same time condones the nalpractices 10y
eXcusing the former city employees who are &c
cuSed.
The organ gives prominence to Il statement
from former junior physician Of the City Hos
pital that the sraftns could have been stopped
year ago had Mayor Wells acted upon a petition
submitted TO him. Probably the author of this
statement has obtained his information only from
the organ which publishes his plant The fact is
that Mayor Wells did conduct an investigation. He
employed private detectives at his own expense
and had city detectives assigned to the work They
procured evidence that indicated wrongdOing, but
the evidence not sufficient If the former
Junior physician is cognzant Of affairs he will bear
in mind that convictions only he effected with
proof which meets the strict requirements of crinl-
inal law.
There is no necessity for putting the grating
investigation ON political basis. but there is Il
necessity that the truth be told and, which is just
as essential that the reform officials should get due
credit and that the accused employees should get
that censurc which they deserve. Good govern
ment will not last if conscientious officials are
tends the agents of corruption.
In it's usual partisan strain the organ of the
Republican machine cnlcavOrs to show that the
grating was originated under this administration,
that it still continues that Mayor Wells connycs
at crime in public Office and that Health Commits
soner Simon is permitting employees in the elee-
mosynary institutions 10 make money for them
selves from supplies bought by the city The inn
plication is entirely without support in truth.
The investigation begun by Mayor Wells
and the first expenses were paid out of his private
funds. The investigation was continued by Health
Commissioner Simon and it was through his efforts
that sufficient evidence to procure Grand Jury in
dictments collected. The former employees
who are accused of grating are Republicans. They
We're holdover employees, having served under the
preceding administration which thoroughly
Republican. Doctor Simon retained them in serv-
ice for the express purpose Of keeping them I'M
der surveillance and ascertainng their methods.
Instead of asserting that grating prevails
in the institutions the partisan organ should ex
plain that it did prevail. Instead of insinuating
that Mayor Wells and Health Commissioner Simon
are responsible for the prevalence of grating and
the mismanagement of the institutions, it should
say that they have exposed grating and that they
are reforming the Health Department. 1t should
cover grating in its whole four years term but
that, on the contrary, the present administration
has made exposures, based on the work of the pre-
ceding administration, after being in control for
only five months
The Republican machine organ has called for
punishment. Let it likewise call for Justice in |
behalf of welldoing officials If it will state frank
ly and plainly the exact truth about the grating |
exposures. it will do justice to Mayor Wells and
Doctor Simon it will take down the premium that
it has raised in the interest of crime by showing
that the accused former employees We're not ap-
pointees of the present administration it will show
that the present administration has not tolerated
but has attacked and destroyed crime.
Among the worst foes of good government are
the bitter partisan organs which try to foist the
blame for wrongdOing on the very officials who are
active for reform. The attempt of the organ of
the Republican machine to fix the responsibility for
grating on the present administration is an act
consistent with the organs defense
IF the corrupt gang while the gang flourished The
organs insinuations against the present admins
ration are commentator for the gang and male
LECTION against reform.