West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-04-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Tributes to the Founder of Democ-
racy-0ostly Acc idents in
the Navy.
Senator Morgan Charges the President
with DeceptIsn-Texas Presidential
Preference.

Senator Morgan Charges the President
With DeceptIen-Texas Presidential
Preference.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
Washington. April AZ. 1909.
The appearance OF Senator Hoar and
William Jennings Bryan. Charles Emory
Smith and Governor Montague OF Virginia
at the same banquet table In Washington
and the unanimous eulogies OF Thomas
Jefferson pronounced by these men OF
widely differing political views constituted
one OF those remarkable tributes which
few statesmen are accorded. Senator
Hoar in his remarks emphasized this fact
when he said III we want a sure proof OF
Thomas IeHerson's greatness II will be
found In the fact that men OF every variety
oil political opinion. however far asunder.
find confirmation OF their doctrine in him"
Mr.. Bryan dwelt on Ieferson's recognition
OF the necessity OF free speech and free
opinions He said In part. ITO jefferson
the right OF free speech and free opinions
applied to everything. because he rightly
understood that no censorship of opinion
could be permitted that would not be more
dangerous TO truth than to error for those
who are conscious OF the righteousness OF
their cause are not so apt to invoke force
In defence OF their opinions as those who
are conscious OF error. and who. recogniz-
ing their inability by reason. fall back upon
coercion" Contrary to the expectations
OF many. the Jefferson dinner was not
productive Of any important political
utterances
til
Strong pressure is being brought to bear
on Secretary OF the Navy Moody to cause
general investigation into the bursting of
the big gun on the Iowa and also into the
disablement OF the Maine as a result OF the
firing OF her turret guns. An examination
OF the Maine proves that she has been
seriously injured and the cost of remedy.
ing the damage Is variously cstima ted up to
100000 Not only have the supports OF
her turrets been injured but the empIace.
ments of her six inch guns have been found
to be weak and her boilers have suffered
serious injury. The contractors of the
Maine have FASTENED to secure immunity
from all damage claims by getting from the
Secretary ofthe Navy statement fathered
By Chief Naval Constructor Bowles, to the
erect that they are not to blame for the
injury. but. In the opinion OF some we'll
posted naval officers this statement was
made prematurey and even should IL. on
further examination. prove to be entirely
correct the question arises who is to blame
and what remedies should be taken to
prevent recurrence OF such damages and
consequent heavy expense7
III
The Postofice investigation still con.
tinues and there is every reason to believe
that ample ground has been discovered TO
warrant the removal of several officials.
but. for some unknown reason. presumably
political pressure. the Postmaster General
has RETAINED from taking the necessary
steps. He says that the investigation will
continue until all the facts are probed TO
the bottom. but he falters when IL comes 10
taking the step which would most facilitate
the work OF the inspectors. the suspension
oil suspected officials pending the result of
the inquiry II now transpres that Mr..
Machen, superintendent OF the Free
Delivery division. was requested to resign
in 1897. but that an inspector detailed on the
case failed TO find sufficient evidence and
the request was Withdrawn before il had
been acted upon.
I 7 I
The latest charge presented for investiga.
ton comes from the Comptroller of the
treasury who has caused inquiry TO be
made regarding the status of twelve
machinists. and repairers of the complicat
ed cancelling machines used in the larger
postoffces OF the country. These machines
are rented by the Government at rentals
varying from saso to s4oo year and the
question naturally arises. Are not the
owners bound to keep the machines in
repair Additional force is given to the
question by the fact that these men have
been carried on the rolls as "bookeeper"
evidently with the purpose OF deceiving
Congress and possibly the Civil Service
Commission. Like all other charges the
matter has been taken under investisa-
tlon."
I II
Senator Morgan Of Alabama has made
public an interview In which he accuses.
the President OF deception regarding the
Panama canal treaty. He alleges that the
President wilfully with held information
called for by the Senate on February r,
until March 10. the day Of adjournment.
which Information would have accomplish
ed the defeat Of the treaty The informa.
lion referred to is the arrangement made
BY Secretary Hay with the Panama Canal
Company binding the United States TO
assume the expense incurred by that com.
pany IN prosecuting the construction OF the
canal pending the transfer OF the property
to the United States and which as has
been previously stated. is estimated as
amounting to about 5000 per day. The
Senator further states that in the Presi.
dents communication 10 the Senate II is
shown that Admiral Casey was sent TO the
isthmus with United States war-shio and
landed marines, not because there was
danger Of interference with the Panama
railway. but with the object Of defeating
the reyolutionists and sustaining the
Msrroquin administration until Il had time
to ratfy the treaty.
TT
Representative SIayden OF Texas Is in
Washington and reports that IN his section
OF the country sentiment is very evenly
divided between Judge Parker of New
York. Senator German and Richard Olney
OF Massachusetts for the Democratic
presidential nomination. Ex- Senator HiH
Mf. Siayden regards as impossible because
Of bis position on the income tax and his
apathy IN the campaign Of Ise6 lie also
mentioned Edward NJ. Shepard as =
| possible candidate and one whom he
believed would be we'll supported Refer.
ingto Mr.. Bryan. Mr.. Slaydcn said that
there was no man IN political life who had
a larger personal following and that he