Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-22

MisOr Scenes ana sksteheS
on the spot.

on the spot.
The brightest and keenest editorial para
grapher on the American press passed away
with the death Of Harry l. Merrick Of the
washington Post. last Monday. Mr.. Mer-
rick was an indefstigable worker. He kept
up his stint day after day and year after
year. rarely foregoing the regular grind
even when on a vacation. His paragraphs
were a distinguishing feature OF the paper
bright. keen, witty. equally remarkable for
brevity, broad grasp Of current events and
familiarity with the characteristics OF tho
politicians Of the country. Exchange edi-
tors who levied regularly on Mr.. Merrick's
paragraphs will sadly miss the genial spirit
that moved his pen. Mr.. Merrick was a
native Of Xenia, o.. aud was a years old.
This is the latest story told Of a meet
Ing OF Senator William NJ. Stewart and
Postmaster General Payne: After greeting
the postmaster general, Senator Stewart
threw his wide-brimmed. high-crowned
SLOUGH hat on the floor, drew up a chair,
leaned over in a confidential manner and
whispered something in Mr.. Payne's ear.
ira be real glad to do that, senator"
said the postmaster general, loud enough
for his visitors to hear, but l can't; I'm
helpless"
Mr.. Stewart leaned a little closer and
continued his whispered argument.
I'm sorry, senator" replied Mr. Payne,
but that position Is under the CLASSIFIED
service. / can't do It,"
The senator kicked his hat out Of the way,
pushed his chair still closer, leaned over
until his lips were right against Mr..
Payne's ear and again whispered and gestic-
ulated for some time.
Really, senator" said Mr.. Payne,
what impatiently, you ask an impossi-
bihty. ! have nothing to do with the case
until the applicant Is certified to me. The
civil service"
The senator brought his fist down with
a bang on the desk in front Of him.
"D-n the civil service" he cried In a
voice tina made the visitors jump. IT'S
good for n~othing-never was and never
will be. It's rotten backwards and for
wards, crossways and sideways. 1t keeps
desirable people out Of the government
service and undesirable and useless people
in the service. Don't talk to me about
the civil service. / don't believe in It."
Tho postmaster general laughed and the
visitors smiled.
IT believe your views ON that question
are pretty generally known, are they not,
senatorT' asked Mr.. Payne.
81 hope So" replied Mr.. Stewart.
Then Mr.. Stewart combed out his beard,
shook hands with Mr.. Payne, nodded to
the visitors and departed.
''The trust p-Smoters tried to win over to
their side Of the controversy Judge Rich
ards, who as solicitor general was the chief
assistant Of Attorney General Knox In the
preparation OF the cases against the rail-
way merger and the beef trust" writes the
Washington correspondent Of the Chicago
Inter Ocean. Richards conducted the sue
cessfuI suits against the Addyston pipe
trust. the Transmissouri Freight asso-
citation. and the Joint Trafic association,
and hi had made q closer study OF the
trust legislation than had either Griggs
or Knox. The trust promoters some time
ago concluded that Richards would make
an able defender Of the trusts, as he had
been an able and uncompromising prose-
cutor Of the trusts. They made him tempt
ing offers and some OF his friends advised
him 10 20 to New York and open an office
where he could command his own price and
enjoy a hne income. r.
'Mr. Richards Is a poor man and these
offers were tempting, but he refused ito
become a trust promoter for money and
accepted an appointment to the United
| States Circuit bench which was rendered
to him by President Roosevelt, notwith-
! standing the stubborn opposition OF Senator
| Hanna. who had another candidate and did
| not want to see Richards honored with
promotion to the place vacated by Judge
Day when that gentleman was promoted
to a place on the supreme bench. The re-
fusal of Richards to accept the offers Of
the trust promoters had much to do with
the presidents decision to ignore the OPP
position Of Senator Hanna and appoint
him to the bench"
Land grabbers in various parts Of the
west are sorely perplexed by the offensive
| activity Of the Interior department in
! blocking their schemes. The latest grab
attempted is in Oregon. A Washington
dispatch to the st. Louis Globe Democrat
exnlaiu the deal as follows: When W. A.
richards was appointed commissioner OF
the general land once a few weeks ago
Mr.. hitchcock, secretary of the interior,
Al once started upon an investigation into
| conditions in the land ofices Of the Pacific
coast country. The first result OF that In
vestiRation has Just been announced in the
removal OF three commissioner in Oregon
ana the announcement that q number of
commissioners and other iand ONCE Off
c,als will be prosecuted for completely in
the gigantic frauds that have been dis
closed by recent Investigations.
II is conservatively estimated that more
than 100, 900 acres Of government land have
been illegally entered by alleged home
steaders in Oregon within the last year, and
the preliminary Investigation has pretty
clearly established the fact that onhcials Of
the government have actively contributed
10 the preparation Of the frauds.
Gross negligence, collision, fraud In the
taking Of acknowledgements and various
other Irregularities are charged against
some OF the commissioners In Oregon. TIL
matter is now in the hands Of the Depart
ment OF Justice. 1t is charged that ON
cials Of the land ofices in oregon have beer
parties 10 fictitious entries on public lands
and have in some instances formed actual
partnerships with land l~ocaters and syndi'
Gates who are seeking to secure control Of
large tracts Of timber and agricultural lands
The schemes employed have not been rad
icaIly different from those used in gobb.tnl
up public lands In Nebraska. Empl- yes o
syndicates have made alleged Homestead
entries on public lands, taking advantage
OF the communication features of the home
stead law and Immediately transferring
their holdings to the syndicates. Evidenc'
has been secured which shows that thes