The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-01

! October =, 1853.
rs shown IN Mr. Bristow's report. and
/ as partially indicated by the actions IN
/ the several cases. these cases show widely
/ varying degrees Of culpabiity
Among outsiders indictments have also
+ been found against
H. J. Barrett. formerly in the Post
/ office Department from May IL 1889. 10
! September 90 1853 and from June l. 1897.
+ 10 December 81. 1890;
George f. Green;
I Diller B. and Samuel \. Croft:
/ William c. Long, formerly in the POST
Office Department from April II, 1892 to
August Is. 1898:
Isaac - Mcclellan;
George II. Huntington:
George z. Lorenz, formerly postmaster
at Toledo Ohio, from August :, 1886, 10
July 9. 1890;
Martha J. Lorenz;
John !. Cupper;
II. c. Hallenbeck;
W. D. Doremus;
Eugene y. Scheble:
Whham G. Crawford. Deputy Auditor
Postofice Department from June Il. 1893.
TO September 15 1897;
Maurice Runkle;
Norman r. Metcalf;
Leopold J. Stern;
Edmund Il briggs;
George F. Miller;
Joseph VI. Johns
Several of the above have been indicted
two. three, or five times each
The three-chief offenders in the govern
ment service We're Tyner, Machen, and
eBavers. The friends of Tyner have ad-
vanced the theory that in his case the
chief offender was really his nephew by
marriage, Barrett. who was his assistant
in the Office for a part of the time, and
that tyners offenses are due to his failing
bodily and mental powers. The facts set
forth in Mr.. Bristow's report do not tend
to substantiate the validity OF these ex-
cuses for Tyner. while they show literally
astounding misconduct in Barrett. For
Machen and Beavers no excuse of any
kind has been alleged. In the case of
Aletcalf the superintendent Of the money
order system, the most vigorous protests
We're at first made on his behalf by
large number of reputable citizens, and
also by others who were at the time
deemed reputable. but who it has since
been discovered were profiting by Met
calfs misconduct. One Of them has been
indicted in connection with him. When
these Investigations We're begun. some
nine months ago, many of the chief Of
tenders who have been indicted or dis
missed, or both, as above enumerated,
were considered to have excellent reputa-
tons. number of the most respectable
people in the land offered voluntary tes-
timony on behalf of Mr.. Tyner. So high
" were Messrs. Beavers and Machen
thought of by those who had been brought
into close connection with them that the
congress actually provided at its last ses-
sion for raising the salaries of both, the
salary in each case being increased 500,
TO take effect at the beginning Of the fis-
cal year on July last BY that date
they were both out of Office and the De-
partment of Justice was taking steps to
have them indicted During Machen's
term of service he was twice investigated
by tie congress. once by a committee OF
the senate and once by committee of the
house but cleared on each occasion. Yet
at that very period as has been shown
In the present Investigation. ne was en-
gagged in the corrupt business for which
he has now been removed and indicted.
This IS no reflection upon the committees
who conducted the investigation. for so
sldllfully had Machen concealed his
wrongdoing that it was only revealed
after months of Iaborious and exhaustive
work ytrained inspectors.
The DETAILS of the corruption are set
forth IN fun in Mr. Bristow's report and
need not be stipulated by me. As regards
Nessrs. Beavers and Machen the corrup-
ton took the form OF bribery and black
mail in connection with the purchase of
government supplies. In the office Of the
Assistant Attorney-General for the Post
office department, under Tyner and Bar
rett. far greater wrong WAS inflicted up
on the public than could be measured by
Il pecuniary standard. for in this Office
the corruption CT the government officials
took the form OF favoTing get-rick-quick
concerns and similar swindlins schemes;
in other words. the criminals. whom ii
was tue sworn duty of these government
officials TO prosecute. paid them for per
mission to fleece the public unmolested.
] heartily approve OF the recommended
ton of Messrs Conrad and Bonaparte
that me statute or limitations be extended
in the case OF government servants TO a
period OF at least five years; FOR the per
sons Who in such positions Of trust en-
cage in corrupt practices can ordinarily
conceal their guilt for a longer time than
Is covered by the present short statute of
limitations This recommendation has
been laid before the congress IN tho re-
port OF the Attorney-Generai, and it is
ca siestly hoped that it VIII be acted upon
favorabIy Moreover. our experience
shows thar outsiders claiming political
influence sometimes sell their influence to
candidates Tor Office. or in other words
blacNmaii these candidates. There should
he legislation which VII permit Of sum-
MARY dealing with such Offenders.
However. the prime need is not ncw
LEGISLATION. bat tbs punishment OF those I
who cnend against existing laws. The
Pustcfisce Department IS making certain
changes i'm the methods 81 administra-
ton. notahIy I'm The method of inspection. 1
by which the service viii o. improved aad I.
the chance Of corruption existing without
discovery De rninimized; but the only way
to meet tie real evil is 20 punish the i
Offenders. hy removal ia any event and 4
where possible by prosecution under the .
criminal statutes In any great bust (
ness. public or private. wrongdot1g IS 4
certain AZ times TO occur The way TO 4
s,ard against il is vigorously 70 scr'stt- .
nize the character Of those appointed. +
carefully 10 supervise their sections after 4
appointment. and aually. 70 pun-sh With /
relentless severity those who so wroaS. 4
All ts.is Is being done.