The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-12-11
REPUBLICAN GRAFTERS.
Thorough Renovation DE mnnd~d n d
Neces.ary I'm the Federal
service

Such neager accounts OF the depart
ment swindles az have heretofore filtere,
into the press have but poorly served I,
prepare the public mind for Bristow'
revelations. and the sense OF shock i
keen and profound The extent ans
character Of graft as disclosed by the re
port Is almost supplying. and were i
not for the fact that the public is accus
Toned 20 the idea OF millions. the mere
numerical magnitude would be difficul'
u comprehension Fifteen years age
millions Of graft" would have been al
most unintelligible. says the ST. Louis
Republic
That graft in one department alone
has been on scale 10 justify the en-
7 ployment q ~ inspectors for six months
In inve stigating il is a suggestive fac.
which assists the imagination to grasp
the truth And that the system discov-
cred has been developing through two
administrations. extending its ramif-
cations and perfecting its operations,
uneisturbed save by superficial exam
nations. is another poignant fact. And
President Roosevelt's expressions. such
as gross corruption bribery and
blaekmail" fleeing the public" give
further color and suggestion TO the great
melancholy fact.
PROFESSIONALLY the principal signifi-
canoe Of Mr.. Bristow's report is to con-
hrm the belief that graft is deep-rooted
In practically every department OF ex-
e.
public conviction that the only way to
cure Il efectually Is to apply the whole
sale cure Of the BALLOT. Mr.. Roosevelt's
own comments make legitimate and
proper the discussion of the scandals
political phase at this time. Obviously
he seeks thus early to anticipate and
avoid the political effect Of the dis
closure
In discussing the matter of cure. no
says: -All questions of difference in
party policy sink into insignificancc
when the people Of the country are
brought face TO face with question like
this" Essuredly such differences ought
TO sink unless they are vital to the cure
itself II they initiated against the
thoroughgoing renovation obviously de-
manded and conceded 70 be necessary in
the federal service they ought 10 be ig-
nored by the people.
But what are the differences and
how do they affect REFORM The demo-
cratic party insists upon final and COM
plete overhauling Of the service and the
utter demolition Of graft. The repub-
lean party has put itself In the attitude
81 defense upon the issue OF reform I
From the outset II has been an apollo \
gist, seeking on the one hand TO excuse \
corruption which was revealed. denying
party responsibility therefor. and on the \
other hand denying that extensive eraft
existed. Not until investigations and ex-
posures became inevitable. perforce 81
public insistence. did the administration
pct, and its PROFESSIONS in the work
have been marked by reluctance and BY
'ulienness toward the public. For the
Partial results actually achieved the ad-
deserves credit, but no
mount OF reform activity henceforth
an change the fact OF its early attitude
1pon the scandals.
II is equally dificult TO believe that the
epublican party IL retained in power
md left to its own devices would seri-
'usly disturb the present conditions OF
ederal service; and 70 comprehend how |
wholesale renovation. consequent up /
n change Of administration. could fail
0 produce the desired result. Let the re- ,
ublican party be judged by It's reform" .
ecord.
They are trying 10 boom Cannon
" the vice presidency. but find 1t dim |
nit 10 fire the old gun with that sort OF n
mbition- st. Louis Republic.
The Doodle news now comes from
Washington. Won't r. Lincoln Put-it-
ZEN cook up something for that mag .
- nf hf9 ahrsrs o ~. ~