Idaho Springs siftings., 1903-12-05

The Senate confirmed the nomina-
ton OF Willis Sweet as attorney gen
eral OF Porto Rico.
Announcement IL made from the
War Department that no additional
designations VIII be made OF candi-
dates from civil life to be examined
for appointment as second lieutenant
in the army.
The secretary OF the interior has
suspended from Office ID. r. Campbell.
clerk Of the toxnsite commission Of the
Creek nation in Indian Territory. pend-
ing the outcome OF an Investigation
based on an indictment against him for
alleged unlawfuily obtaining money
while a member OF the Kansas Leglsla-
ture. the Indictment charging the re-
ceipt OF 800 from the clerk OF the
District Court at OsweRo. Kansas fol-
lowing the passage OF bill raising the
clerks salary. The court dismissed the
Indictment, but Indian Inspector
Wright Is making an investigation and
has obtained an order from the court
for the stenographic minutes Of the
grand jury.
Rumors have reached the Ssate De
partment that General Reyes mis- sion
to Washington is primarily to try to
array opposition senators against the
ratification OF the Bunan-s arilla Hay
canal treaty There is also talk OF the
formation OF a combination OF south
American countries. directed against
the United States. Respecting the
coming OF General Reyes to Washing
ton. II is said at the State Depart
ment that much depends upon the ma
ture OF his credentials as TO the re-
ceptIon he is given. II he is brought
to the department by the Colombian
charge. DIR. Herran. he will be accord
ed a respectful hearing But his ac-
tivitIes must be confined to lawful
channels as an alien. and any attempt
on his part to influence by direct rep
reservations any other than the execu-
tive branch of the government would
scarcely be viewed with equanimity.
In his meorandum on the report of
First Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow, in relation 10 frauds in the
Postoffice Department. President
Roosevelt says: NO crime calls for
sterner reprobation than the crime OF
the corruptionist in public life. and OF
the man who seeks to corrupt him.
The bribe giver and the bribe taker
are equally guilty. Both alike sin
against tne primary law Of tue slate
safety. All questions of difference In
party policy sink into insignlfcance
when the people OF this country are
brought face to face with question
like this. which lies at the root OF
honest and decent government. On
this question. and on all others Ike 1t.
we can afford to have no division
among good citizens. IN the last re-
sort good laws and good administra-
ton alike must rest upon the broad
basis of sound public opinion A duh
public conscience. an easy-going ac-
quiescance in corruption. infaIIibly
means debasement in public life. and
such debasement in the end means
the ruin OF free institutions. Self
government becomes farce II the rep
resentativcs of the people corrupt
others or are themselves corrupted.
Freedom Is not gift which win tarry
long in the hands OF the dishonest or
OF those so foolish or SO incompetent
as to tolerate dishonesty In their pub
tic servants. Under our system all
power comes from the people, and All
punishment rests ultimately with the
people. The tolerance OF the wrong.
not the exposure OF the wrong. Il the
real offense."