The Grenada sentinel., 1903-07-04
FRAUDS IN POST OFFICE.
Fhoir Magnitude II Far Beyond what
II Given Out by Repub-
l1can Authorities.

be run on q business basis so thut the
people everywhere would have the best
service for the vast amount of money
that is expended. The investigation
now going on shows that the republic
can plan has been to make the depart
ment a political machine to aid repub-
ican candidates and pack caucuses and
conventions in the interest of those
who are for the time in charge. Post
master General Payne was selected by
the president not as the most compe-
tent man, but as the most adroit and
dexterous machine politician availab bic,
and he has been looked upon as the po-
litical manipulation of the administra-
tion. No credit is due to him for the
exposure of the rotten conditions that
prevail in his department. He has per-
sistently made light of the charges that
have resulted in the revelations that
have so far reached the public. His con-
fidential secretary is charged with be-
ing mixed up in the scandals and Mr..
Payne is evidently shielding him from
being includedIin the investigation that
is still in progress. How far the probe
will reach is still question and de-
power to go to the root of the matter,
whoever is hurt. That behind the small
fry who have so far been caught in the
investigation net, there are other and
larger fish is apparent: The New York
World in this connection says:
Behind Beaversand Machenit seems
to be clearly established that there
were men higher up leaders in the
senate and house. who were using them
as tools to exploit the postal service
for their own political ends. The fact
that the total annual expenditure for
rura1free delivery service was less than
$4,000 in 1897, is now $12 .OOO, 900 and
will be, it is estimated, 24.OOO, 900
year when it is fully expanded, indi-
Gates what magnificent field for loot
and blackmail it offers to corrupt Of
ficials working in collusion with self
seeking senators and congressman.
The public have a right to know the
whole truth. The statesmen now dim
)y discerned in the background. work
ing the rural free delivery system as
patronage mill and incidentally as
political bureau. must be brought to
the front. Mr.. Roosevelt's plain duty
to the country is to force Mr.. Payne,
no matter how powerful the influences
may be that seek to smother this
manifestly far-reaching scandal. to live
up to the historic mandate, Let no
guilty man escape"
If President Roosevelt decides to
push the invest tigat 'on. no matter who
is caught in the dragnet and will see
that those in charge make it thorough
| and complete, he will have to give the
important matter considerable person
al attention. The obstacles in the way
are powerful and far-reaching and may
involve the disruption of the cabinet
and the shattering of the political ma
chine that is expected to have charge of
the national campaign soon to be in
augurated. 1t appears that the presi-
| dent was informed. more than a year
ago, that the post office department
was honeycombed with fraud. but he
! was assured by the postmas ster general
| that there was no truth in the charge.
Events seem to be moving rapidly in the
| direction that either the investiga ton
| must be suspended or the president
| will have to request the resignation of
! his postmaster general.