The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1903-06-05
Washington Letter.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May %, 1903

VASHlNtlON, ~. ", MoV -os i0oo.
With the suddenness Of summer
thunder storm the political sky In
Ohio has clouded up, been the oc-
casioL of several lightning flashes and
cleared, within the past week. Sena-
tor Foraker's determination to bring
before the Ohio convention a resell
ution endorsing President Roosevelt's
candidacy in 1904, Senator Hanna's
determination to prevent the adopt
ion Of such 4 resolution at this time
and the host Of public interviews on
the subject precipitated what threat.
ened to become an ugly situation.
Suddenly, out Of clear sky in the
west, came one OF those Characters
tic utterances OF President RoOseyelt's
In substance he said, II am cand-
date. He who is not with ME is a
gainst me-" The gauntlet was cast
at the feet OF Mr., Hanna. The choice
was open to him to align himself
with the friends or the enemies OF
Mr.. Roosevelt. 1t was a bold move
on the part OF the President and was
so contrary to the methods of the
trained politicians that it was a
shock to the conservatives, but those
who believe IN Mr.. Roosevelt regard
cd it ae frank, manly, outspoken
utterance, which removed all posi-
'bility OF subterfuge and procrast-
nation. Immediately all ears were
trained on Cleveland for the next
utterance.
The announcement came. 1t was
surrender, unequivocal and certain.
Mr.. Hanna said that he would with
draw his opposition to the proposed
resolution. The sky was cleared, the
endorsement Of the President is as
sured, his nomination made as Ger
tain as anything could be made which
is still year away. There is rejoic-
ing among the friends OF the Presi-
dent throughout the country today.
Senator Hanna has allied himself
with the winning side and nothing
remains for loyal republicans but TO
work for great victory with Theo-
dore Roosevelt as the standard bear
err
Another utterance Of the President
made in a public speech IN the west,
has attracted wide attention and
would have received still more had it
not been for the Hanna. Foraker cpl
sode. Referring to the present sys.
tenn Of senatorial participation in fed
eral appointments, Mr.. Roosevelt
said, ~ would like to be President
again, but l would rather be a whole
President for three years, then half a
President for seven years. Remem.
Der that" The pronunciamento ha,
set the politicians guessing Does
the President actually meant that he
does not propose to be dictated to b,
members Of the Senate? That IS tn,
question all are asking and yet ther,
seems to be no other construction tt
be placed upon it. The Ohio Incl
dent has demonstrated that Mr.
Roosevelt can be as dependent a
he pleases. The people are with hin
and 1t Is reasonable supp0sitio,
that he will be as fearless in the fu
ture as he has been in the past, /
not more so.
The most sensational development
In the Investigation into the DOS
Office scandal occurred yesterday whe
August W. Machen. general superin
tendent of free delivery, was arrested
) charged with accepting a bride a
mounting to S22, 900 and subsequent
ly released on bail. From the begin
ming Of the Postoili:e Investigations
Machen has been under fire, but S
: powerful have been his political affil
I lations and 60 cleyerly has he covere
his tracks, that only now has he bee
apprehended in a transaction whic
warranted his incarceration. 1t ha
been discovered that on the purchas
Of the little clips used to attach ma
boxes to lamp-posts or other pole.
which clips the Government has Dur
chased during the past ten years, I
the amount of $3.50, 900, Machen ha
been receiving commission of 40 DC
cent. These clips cost to manufa.
ture, 20 cents, and were sold to tn
Government at Sl.25 each. Mache
has had the disbursement If a fun
! approximating $500, 900 for misce
: laneous expenses of the division {
free delivery and it is suspected tina
further probing into the expenditul
of this fund will reveal much add,
ional rascailty. Another importau