Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-06-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
sFrom our Regular Correspondent ),

tFrom our regular CORRESPONDENCE
Washington, d. c., June 8.-Ths
most important news affecting The
democratic party in years has just Ieaci .
ed Washington from New 7 ork. 1t 9
to the effect that a considerable num-
Der of New York business men have
decided that President Roosevelt is
''unsase.' ''erratic," ETC., and have in
formed leading democrats that they
will support any democratic candidai .
whom it is believed can win. While
this course has been under considera-
tiOn for some time, it has been actually
determined upon as result of the re-
cent Hanna-RoOsevelt fracas They
say that 80 long as Mr.. Roosevelt was
guided by the advice of Senator Ham
ma he was not likely to err too serious
~, but now that he has cut loose from
the Ohio statesman he is not to be
trusted. His friendship with the Ia
Dor organizations is regarded as iDjudi-
cious and his attitude on many I'M
portant questions as varying with each
breeze that blows. 1t is believed that
he will attempt to force radical tariff
revision on Congress, as soon as he is
elected, and these prominent republic
cans say they would prefer an out and
out democrat with clearly defined
policies to the present occupant of the
White house. They are perfectly will
ing to accept Bryan man ana in fact
urge that the nominee be acceptable
to Colonel Bryan and his supporters.
They only urge that there be harmony
in the ranks of the democracy and they
will supply the sinews of war.
In this connection, tho greatest in
terest is manifested in the conference
which Mayor Harrison, of Chicago
has called for July 18th. 1t is known
that Mr.. Harrison is opposed to what
is generally termed a Reorganization
of the party" and that he favors the
retention of the old national commit
tee and the nomination OF a man &C
ceptible to Colonel Bryan. In thii
connection the possible domination O
Hearst and Harrison Is being quietly
discussed. Mr.. Hearst controls tn
great organizations of letter carrier
and postal clerks, regardless OF party
and that in itself would insure a con
siderable support which perhaps n
other men could command. Whethc
Hearst and Harrison would be accepta
BILE to the New York interests is no
known. 1t may be that they. believ
| ing they could carry New York, Ne'
Jersey and Connecticut themselves
| would advise the nomination OF a.
Illinois or an Indiana man who c0ul
be counted on to carry ono OF thos
doubtful states.
The extent and ramifcatiOns of th
postal scandal continue to increase an
the Postmaster General. who is COZ
suited only after the applications fo
warrants have been made, shakes hi
head and says sOrr0wfully. ut is al
palling." Machen, former general SUI
erintendent of free delivery, clos
friend of Abner Mckinley and PER-
Heath. and petted favorite OF Payn'
has been indicted on nine separa!
counts, by the Columbian grand jur.
Two of Machen's subOrdinates AL
trusted intimates, Thomas w. McGr
gor and G. Ellsworth Upton have bee
arrested for mulcting the GovernmeI
on a plan similar to Machen's 8. The
have purchased from one Smith,
trunk manufacturer of BaltinOr'
rural free delivery mail bags, whic
could have been bought for so cents
less, to the amount of $4,000. The
paid Smith 80 cents and received
commission of 40 cents each, thus rO
bling the Government of So. 900. NJ
merOus other officials are under col
slant surveillance and will be arreste
as soon as evidence which will hold
court can be secured aid arrange'
The implication of some Of the mos
prominent republican politicians
mOmentarily threatened and the pos
office officials are confident that mos
OF the spOils of the Machen, Beaver
gang have reached the pockets of sue
prominent men. For all their cOrruI
tion, Machen and his pals are compare
lively poor menu
There is every indication of a yer
warm interview between the Pres
dent and his Postmaster General. Th
latter has tried in every way posslbl
to cover up the scandal and proven
the implication of the very politician
to whom he owed his official existence
Met by a man like BriStOW and ma
like Wynne, he has been unable to az
complish this end but has been defeal
ed at every turn and now he has th
pleasure of meeting highly incense
chief. AS if to forefend the President
anger, Payne met him at the railwa
station and touchingly threw his arm
around the President neck. MI
Roosevelt was not seen, by the closes
observer, to reciprOcate the burst
ingenious affection.