The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-23


ing clamor for the resignation or dismiss
sal of the Postmaster-General. we
think he had better stay where he is. AS
the head of the Department and as
member of the Cabinet, possessing, ana,
doubtless, deserving, the confidence OF
the President, he is in much better posi-
ton than anv one else could be to root
out the iniuuities of the service and visit
the guilty with condign punishment.
The worst that has been so far urged
against Mr.. PAYNE is that he has been
slow to believe in the charges laid against
his s,lbordinates; that he has been In
,redulous of existing evil and therefore
inca pable of action against it, These
weaknesses he now seems to be in fair
way to correct.
II would be Just as we'll, in all fairness
to the Post aster-General, to bear IN
mind that he was not brought into of1ce
because of his reputation as reformer'
but that he was chosen by Mr.. RooSE-
WELT for his well-known gifts as practl-
ga and sensible politician. The Admins
,ration WAS weak in that direction. 1t
contained to overlooking the elements OF
transcerdental patriotism and lofty civic
sentiment; but on the score Of lubrica-
tion-the application of the solvents in
dispensable to the harmonious operation
OF the parts-it was defective. Senator
HANNA, the sympathetic. unselfish and
disinterested henchman OF the Presi-
dents political fortunes, would seem to
have satisfied that want. but the Senator,
with all his devotion, could act only in
externals. What was required was
member of the official household, an
integral and intimate unit of the Admin
istration itself; and it is OF universal
knowledge that, for the end in view, the
Postmaster eneralship is equivalent
to all the other Cabinet places put to-
gether Mr.. PAYNE was an admirable
choice, and If the discharge Of his func-
tions has been attended with something
like friction it is manifestly unjust that
the whole blame thereof should be laid
upon him.
Does any candid and unprecedented
observer pretend for one moment that
the very selection itself Of Mr.. PAYNE
for the Office OF Postmaster General did
not distinctly and even frankly imply
that there was to be no disturbance Of
that admirable machine? Were there
any serious illusions anywhere about
the conditions obtaining in Depart
ment that had been 80 long peaceably
infested by political and moral ascetics
like CHARLES EMORY SMITH and PERRY
HEATH? Its management challenged
the admiration of all other Departments
for serenity, efficiency and stability.
Nothing disturbed its relations to the
great body polite. and it moved nightly
in its majestic orbit, source of profound
political dependency security and con-
fident expectancy. Little untoward ac-
cdents, like NERLEY's awkwardness in
Cuba, were only the exceptions that
proved the rule, and where all was
suavity only Interior and unfriendly de-
signs could seek to mar the harmonious
whole.
If, therefore, wholly unforeseen and
unexpected occurrences have served
to change the complexion OF the Post
Office Department and seriously threaten
to reduce it to the level of mere machine
for the administration Of the postal sys-
TEN Mr.. PAYNE is at least as good as any
other man that can be found to reorgan-
ize it. He knows all about it; certainly
he knows all aoout it now; and as very
capable, clear-headed and energetic
business man he can be trusted to do his
work both faithfully and well. Besides
he is a member of Mr.. ROOSEVELT
Cabinet, heart and soul in sympathy
with the Administrations present anC
future plans, and he should on no account
be disturbed Since he entered the
Cabinet he has been absolutely loyal te
his chief, unswayed by any sentiment Of
personal ambition or self-gain and
actuated solely by desire to add, to the
best of his ability and according to hi
intelligence, to the brilliancy and sue
cess of Mr.. RoosEvELT's Administra'
ton.
-. 1t would be manifestly unfair and un.
just were the readjustment of his Depart
ment intrlsted to other hands than Mr.
PAYNEs own.