Gilpin observer., 1903-07-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
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From our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, -. ", June 70, 1910.
President Roosevelt has announced in
a semi Official way that he intends to
stand by the postmaster general in spite
of the popular demand for Payne's res
lg nation, demand voiced by the best
newspapers in the country redardless Of
party affilietion. Moreover, the presi-
dent appears to be afraid to demand the
resignation of Rand, confidential clerk
to the postmaster general, although his
unfitness for place of trust has been
clearly demonstrated, especially in the
Republican press. To every close obser-
yer it is obvious that the first wish of
Postmaster General Payne is to minim-
ize the scandal and convert the investi-
cation into perfunctory inquiry such
as he had in mind when he first found
that some sort of investigation was in
evitable. The determination of the pres
ident is, however, regarded with consid-
cradle satisfaction by the Democratswho
say that the people will never be salts
| fed with an investigation conducted on
the Payne policy and that they will ap-
preciate that only Democratic admins
tration will be willing to lay bare the ul-
GERS which have long festered under re-
| publican administration.
~
Having failed in his efforts to save
Perry Heath from being smirched as a
consequence of his official acts, the post
master general, and to n large extent the
Republican press, is now trying to make
him scapegoat for all the corruption
which the Tulloch charges and the Bris-
tow reply revealed. In this connection
a bit of inside history is interesting.
Perry Heath was charged with the full
fillment of 1000 pledges made by Sena-
tor Hanna during the campaigns which
elected Hanna senator and Mckinley
president. 1t was for the purpose Of
fulfilling these pledges, taking care of
made first assistant postmaster general.
He did his work well and without any
qualms of conscience but now that the
facts have become public, Mr.. Heath is
charged with the whole responsibility,
while Mr.. Hanna goes free from public
censure. 1t is only justice to Payne,
moreover. to say that he went into the
postoffice department pledged to take
care of Hannas friends, those who had
cooperated with Heath and especially
Mechep, who had by manipulation of the
rural free delivery service, saved many
western Republican congressman from
defeat. This was the secret OF Payne's
attempt. clumsy and misguided but none
the less sincere, to take care Of Mechen
and his crowd s
~
The existence of miniature scandal
in the department of agriculture was re-
vealed this week by suit fled in the
Court of Claims by the New York Mar
ket Gardners' association which seeks to
recover $4,000 for supplying seed for
free distribution to the department. 1t
appears that the above company was
found to have furnished short weight
packages, cheaper seeds than the con-
tract provided for and cheaper and thin
ner paper than the specifications called
for. Notwithstanding these facts the
contract was awarded to this concern a
second time. the assumption being that
the contractor had "inauepce" with Sec
retary Wilson or with Assistant Score.
tary Brigham. This year the contractor
was guilty of even graver violations OF
his contract than on the previous occa-
sion and this, notwithstanding the fact
that Secretary Wilson has placed per-
Holland, in the company's warerooms at
good pay to supervise the packing Of the
seeds. Holland had an assistant in his
arduous duty by the name Of Martihe,
but even with two inspectors it is alleged
that short weights and cheap seeds were
furnished and other provisions Of the
contract violated.
~
A scandal in the allotment OF lands in
the Indian Territory has just come to
light and it is said by an official in po.
sition to know that il they ever become
public the abuses in this work will rival
the corruption just unearthed in the
postofiice department. 1t is alleged that
the Indian agents have certified to the
department Of the interior q. larger mum.
ber OF Indians than existed on the reser-
vations in order that they might profit
by the extra number OF rations and al.
lowances issued. Taking these false