The Topeka state journal., 1903-06-22

purifying the department with which
he is connected Already this idea is
being talked in Washington. and il is
said that 1t would by no means be dis
pleasing to President Roosevelt himself
to have the Kansas man for his running
mate
Few men have ever made a better
official record than BristOw has az
fourth assistant postmaster general Il
IS very exceptional that a subordinate
official-One below a cabinet officer
performs his duties IN such a manner
as to attract the attention Of the whole
country. but Bristow has done this
twice The first time President Mckiu-
ley selected him to investigate TIE
Cuban postoffice frauds. He did so y ith
the result that two personal friends Of
some Of the leaders of the Republican
party We're convicted Of fraud This
and other official acts in which fraud
was exposed brought him powerful en-
emies, who made repeated efforts ta
have him removed. but without effect.
Then President Roosevelt chose him to
Investigate the reports of fraud in con-
nection with the Oostoffie department.
generally and the result everybody
knows Regardless of the prominence
Of those whose names would be dragged
into the matter. ne has gone to the
potion OF the matter and there has
evidently been no whiteWashing
It has required great moral courage.
considerable degree Of ability and
swerving devotion to honesty and to
duty TO do what Bristow has done. and
this is what has brought him the an
plause of the nation. The thing for tha
Republicans of Kansas to do is to ask
that he be made the running mate 0f
President Roosevelt on the Republican
national ticket next year-if he should
so desire 1t is generally recognized
that western man will be accorded
TINS honor. and in view of the rec0rA
winch Mr., Bristow has made there IS no
reason why Kansas should not ask IL
Ior hIln, and there is every reason to
believe that the request might be
granted.
Then, too. Bristow's name is mention
ca IN connection with a cabinet posi-
tlon-the head of the department IN
Whlcn ne IS now an assistant 1t is ru-
mored that Postmaster General Pavne
does not find the work to his liking and
that his health is not good wherefore
he IS thinking of retiring, and if he does
so that BriSt0W Will be offered the
place If this should be the programme.
and Mr.. Bristow should continue to
make a record as he has iu The mast
there is no reason why. in 1905 he
should not be a formidable candidate
Tor even higher place than the vic.
presidency. He is. in many respects the
same kind of a man as Theodore Roose-
welt himself, and he would carry for
ward the work which President Roose-
velt is inaugura ting.
But at any rate there is no reason
Why the Republicans of Kansas should
of President Roosevelt in the national
campaign next year. The fact that
Washington is already talking this viii
make it so much the easier. The honor
which Mr. Bristow is receiving from the
entire country reflects upon his state
and his state should do him the honor
of presenting his name in the RepubIi-
can national convention next summer
for the vice presidency.
The fact that such a move would be
well received is shown by the following
dispatch from Washington which was
published Sunday in the Philadelphia
Public Ledger:
There is talk of Joseph Little Bris-
tow. fourth assistant postmaster gen.
eral and the 'sleuth' Of the pending
postoff1ce investigating for a distinctly
higher honor. He has been thought Of
for a running mate next year with Pres
ident Roosevelt Probably Mr.. Bristov
himself has not thought of the avail
ability yet, but astute politicians in his
party and friends of Mr.. Roosevelt have
Whispered the thing among themselves.
They have not dared to bring out any
brass bands to herald the idea for fear
by their prematurity they might crush
the life out of their boomlet-
To the president it is said the idea
is distinctly agreeable. Mr.. Roosevelt
loves a fighter and hates a quitter. and
Bristow is always ready for a fight and
never quits.
THE least that is to be said of the
/ idea is that there are certainly ma ~
considerations to support the nomina-
ton of Mr. Bristow for vice president.
/ Geographically, politically and person
ally he fills the requirements. New York
fNor4fo,,e7 m T3aoe ci-~