Middletown transcript., 1903-04-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.

cooperation of the Postmaster Gen.
eral and his assistants, inaugurated one
of the most thorough investigation ever
conducted in a department of the govern
me;ll a.d one which, while it is only in
the init. stage, has resulted in one res
ignation and gives promise of uncover.
ing a series of the gravest Irregularities.
The investigation deals with the Divisions
OF Salaries and Allowances and of Free
Delivery in the Postoffice Department
Repeated charges of corruption in these
divisions convinced the Postmaster Cen
eral that affairs were not as they should
be and when the matter was brought to
the attention OF the President he imme-
diately authorized a most sweeping in
vestigation.
~
The courage required to take this step
can hardly be realized by persons un-
familiar with the inner working of the
The heads of these divi-
sions have long been in position to
grant favors, often of the utmost import
ance to almost every member of Con-
gress and by this means have acquired a
political pulp of astonishing proper
tions. Often the favors so granted, while
innocent from the standpoint of the leg
islator applying for it, has actually been
to the best interests of the
service, Clerk hire and supply accounts
have been granted with lavish hand,
the object being to gain favor with the
members Of Congress who have applied
for these grants rather than to further
the interests of the Postal service. But
it is intimated that the officials involved
have not been content with distributing
funds and supplies in an extravagant
but have gone further and Or
ganized pool by which they have Grim
inally profted by the sale of supplies
to the government and it is claimed they
have received a commission on every
mail-box purchased, especially those used
on rural routes, and have otherwise rob-
bed the Government.
~
One OF the strongest proofs of the cor
ruption that has existed, is found in the
appeal by the officials under
suspicion to their political friends to
check the present investigation. Already
many influential members of Congress
and local politicians have sought to in
fuence the President to that end and, it
is alleged, have even gone so far as to in
Innate that any prosecution OF the offend
ing officials would cost Mr.. Roosevelt
dearly in the next national convention.
With his usual fearlessness, the President
has refused to listen to any word of warn
ng or threat and has told those who have
protested to do their worst as he proposed
% carry the thing on to the end regard
ess of political consequences, and with
lie sole end in view of the betterment OF
he service. No definite charges will be
made until adequate evidence to substan-
late them is at hand, but no favor will
We shown, and there may result bitter
warfare between the President and the
politicians.
80
The President is receiving gratifying
of his popularity in the West.
'he latest harbinger of news of this
haracter is Mr.. Thomas III. Shevlin,
National Committeeman for Minnesota,
rho has just visited Washington. 81
old the President that he would receive
he largest labor vote next year of any
nan ever occupied the White House."
aid Mr.. Shevlin after leaving the Presi-
ent. 81 know whereof / speak, for l
m not only an employer OF labor myself
ut l keep posted on what the various
rganizations are doing. The labor lead
rs point with pride to the outcome of
he great coal strike. They refer to the |
lct that for the first time in history a |
resident of the United States under
,ok to settle great controversy between
apital and labor by assuming the initia-
We and personally summoning represen-
.tives of each side to the White House.
heretofore the federal troops have been
alled out to preserve peace and order,
ut in the coal strike the President used
loral susasion and won world wide
ctory." Referring to certain opposi-
on to Mr.. Roosevelt in New York, Mr.,
helvin said; 81 tell those gentlemen
ley dare not oppose the nomination of
resident Roosevelt in the convention,
I'd after he is nominated they cannot
ford, as practical business men, to vote
,ainst him."
~
Senator Warren of Wyoming is another
m believer in Mr.. Roosevelt's success.
e said recently: "With the East and
other parts of the country, the West
united in support of Mr.. Roosevelt's
for the presidency in 1904.
e share with the entire country in the
nfidence reposed in his purposes, his
lcerity and honesty and in his constant
ort to make the best of his high posi-
IN without trace Of demagoguery, for
e benefit of all citizens of our country
lether rich or poor" Referring to the
esident's Western trip Mr.. Warren
ID: "We are delighted that the Presi-
mt is coming West this Summer. The
esident already knows the West well;
is Western man in training, instincts
d action. He will get such welcome
the hospitable West alone can give
'itor."
interest is manifested in
peculiar situation growing out of the
Eat personal INTEREST," the President takes
the navy. There has been for some
ne suspicion that Mr.. Moody, Secre-