Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-22
The P. O. Scandals and Politics.

1t is currently stated that the inquiry
into the post office scandals has gone so
deep that 1t Is beginning to hurt certain
political leaders, who fear that IL the probe
is pressed II will disclose some Of the meth
DDS of practical party management. There
Is talk In the air Of the anxiety or the
President to cleanse the department In or
der to secure credit for good adminlstra-
ton, and of a counter desire on the part
of the party workers to gloss the case over
as 1t now stands and to let the country De-
ueve that everything Is lovely for the fu-
ture.
1t Is unfair at this stage Of the case to
obscure the issues involved In the post
office situation by references to practicai
party politics Nor is 1t altogether WISE
President Roosevelt has never in all his
career been known to tolerate crookedness.
His entire course as a public official has
been a plea for decency, honesty and OPEN
ness AS civil service commissioner ne
helped to strengthen the foundations OF the
great merit system, despite the clamor OF
political spoilsmen. AS New York police
commissioner he insisted upon the ENFORCE
ment of the laws. whatever might De the
political cost. AS assistant secretary OF the
navy he strove constantly for GOOD al
ministration. AS a soldier he was strict
dsciplnarian. AS governor OF New YORK
he held to high standard and secured the
passage of wholesome laws even against
the protests of the party leaders. AS Presl-
dent he has already proved his ability 10
choose the right course even though the
wrong one may be easier.
Party expediency. therefore, has no part
in his estimate of the duty which the I'M
slavery condition of the postal department
imposes upon the administration. II the
probe touches diseased spots in the BODY
polite then it Is wise to cut them out If
individuals are involved whose present
high status in the republican party sug-
gests that they should be shielded from
scandal, a temporizing policy will not al
lay suspicion. The individuals who nave
woven around themselves and their as
sociates a net Of wrongdoing and un-
principled procedure can be of little perma-
nent benefit to any party IL their success
and that of the party must depend upon
the concealment of their corruption.
The disclosures to date directly involve
only limited and well-deflned group of
officials and their non-oficial associates.
Vague hints are circulated that others,
higher up" are tarred with the same
stick But the latter are apparently not
officers Of the department Immediately in
volved. If they have used their political
influence to secure unlawful rewards or to
advance personal interests against the in
terests of the government. the public Is
entitled eventually to know the fact. But
meanwhile the chief duty before the Presi-
dent and the Postmaster General is to
purify the administration of the depart
ment. to scour out the foul places and to
remove from Office and to place in the
hands of the court for trial and punishment
the men who have stolen or bribed or been
bribed.
Doubtless no man knows the demands of
the case more clearly than the President,
and no man is more likely to respond to
them than Theodore Roosevelt, party or no
partV