The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-22
w. ---
DOODLE AS AN ISSUE.

Replying The Republics proposition that there are
but few public questions which contain the substance
and size of issues. but that the Government scandals
as an issue have the promise of growth and endur-
ance the Washington Post asks, Can the leading
Democratic paper in Missouri in view of existing con-
dons in that stronghold of Democracy. afford TO
the position that rascaty in office forfeits the
confidence Of the people in the party under whose
domination the scandal occurs:'
This question should be answered before coming to
the of the Posts remarks concerning national is
and simple statement of the facts is sufficient.
The boodling in ST. Louis occurred under Republican
city administration; and although the boodlng in the
State Legislature took place under the present Demo-
cratic administration the crimes committed by
combine comprising more Republicans than Demo-
In Doodle the minority party the majority.
About these facts there is dispute the Republican
press admitting them, and such eminent Republicans
the Chief Justice of Missours Supreme Court COM
menting upon them
Under these facts there can be no party significance
in the scandals: but if there it is readily seen
that the Democratic kettle would suffer nothing in a
comparison with the Republican pot The Republics
proposition concerning the national scandals might be
applied to the situation in Missouri without detrment
to the local Democracy.
To the gst of the Posts contention The Republic
freely subscrbes namely that it is not the fact of ras
cay under an administration, but the manner of its
treatment, that seriously affects partys standing
partys future: and it is expressly upon this ground
that The Republics criticisms of the national admins
ration have been based The fact of corruption has
been known and been definitely charged to exist for
the past four years. knowledge, almost amounting to
guilty knowledge. has been proved against responsible
representatives of the Republican administrations
cals of high rank and authority and chosen servants
of the national party organization. Although it is rea-
sonabe to acqut former Postmaster General Smith of
having known or had definite information concerning
the mafeasance perpetrated under him. is otherwise
in the of Payne. Heath, Machen Tyner and 9TH
of like rank and authority under the present stew
ardship. And in addition to having had knowledge of
the irregularities by the way. is euphe-
mism mild to provoke the disabilities when ap-
piled to the Doodle situation disclosed by Of
fetal reports-the Republican management, including
Payne, stands convicted by public opinion of pro-
longed and systematic endeavor to up the
dal
1t is precisely 1.-The manner of its treatment by the
Republican party's manipulators which makes the
scandal significant politically.
As to its promise of growth and endurance an
issue, that promise enarges day by day. Every tale
is condemnng tale which comes from Washington;
and yet the surface has been but scratched What
will digging and unearthng bring forth? Digging
Is inevitable-does anybody doubt that complete
exploration will be forced upon the administration?
Is it not more than possible that corruption the
national capital has not been restricted to single
department group of departments? The PostOtfice
Department is perhaps more subject than any other
to the operations of booders and swndlers because it
presents a greater variety of opportunities and be
cause it is more open to the influence of practical poll
tcians. whose appontees are not always what they
should be; but there is presumption that it en-
joyed monopoly of crime; indeed the presumption
and the probability are otherwise From time to time
suspicion has been directed at others. notably the
Interior Department. A general Investigation is not
without the possibilities Such some OF the con-
siderations which enter into The Republics opinion
concerning national Doodle issue.