New-York tribune., 1903-11-30

a
siaily indicated by the actions in the several
cases these cases show widely varying degrees
of cuipsbility.
fovad against;
Z J. BARRETT. formerly in the Postoflce Depart
Inent from May Il, 1852 TO September %. 1898
and from june ]. ls7, 10 December 81, 1880.
DiLLER B. and SAMUEL A. CROFT.
Department from April L. iss0 TO August Is,
ISAAC s rGIEHAN
GEORGE Il. HUNTINGTON.
T-oiedo. Ohio from August s 1856 70 July 9. 1890.
MARTHA J, loRENz
II. c. HALLENBEcK
W. y. DOREMCS.
WILLIAM 6. CRAWFORD. deputy auditor Post
office Department from June - l>'s' - sep
MAURICE RUNKLE
NORMAN R METCALE-
i:IoSr; TsDNrNp ;,si5' Il. DRdTc S.
GEORGE Y. MILLER.
JOSEPH N. JOHNS.
Several Of the above have been indicted two
;hree or five times each.
THE THREE CHIEF OFFENDERS.
The three chief offenders in the government
service were Tyner. Mschen and Beavers Inc
friends Of Tyner have advanced the theory that
IN his case the chief offender was really his
slephew by marriage, Barrett. who was his as
ssstant fn the Office for 4 part Of the time ana
that Tyner's offences are due to his failing
bodily and mental powers. The facts set torth
sn Mr. BTistow's report 60 not tend TO substah-
tate the validity of these excuses for Tyner,
while they show literally astounding miscon-
duct in Barrett. For Machen and Beavers no
excuse Of any kind has been alleged. In the
case Of Metcalf the superintendent OF the
sroney order system, the most vigorous protests
were at first mace on his behalf by large
s7urnber Of reputable citizens and also by Others
who were the time deemed reputa bic, but
who il has since been discovered, were pToht-
ing by Netcalfs misconduct. One of them has
been indicted II connection with him. When
these Investigations were begun, some nine
months ago. many of the chief offenders who
have been indicted or dismissed, or both, as
above enumerated. We're considered to have eX-
Celient regulations. A number OF the most re-
spectacle people in the lana offered voluntary
were Messrs. Beavers and Machen thought OF
by those who mad been brought into close con-
nection with them that the Congress actually
provided at its last session for raising the saa-
ries OF both. the salary Ia each case being IN
creased $500. TO take effect At the beginning OF
The fiscal year on july last. by that oate tneE
were both out Of Office, and the Department or
Justice was taking steps TO have them inolcteo.
During Machcn's term OF service ne was Twice
investigated by the Congress- once by a COM
3nittee OF the Senate and once by a committee
of the House, but cleared on each occasion. Yet
st that very period. as has been shown in the
present investigation. he was engaged in the
corrupt business for which he has now been re-
moved and indicted. This is no reflection upon
the committees who conducted the investigation,
for so skilfully had Machen concealed his
months of laborious ana exhaustive work by
trained inspectors
BRIBERY AND BLACKMAIL.
The Details Of the corruption are set forth in
Sun in Mr.. Bristows report, and need not be re-
capitulsted by me. AS regards Messrs. Beavers
and Machen. the corruption took the form OF
bribery and blackmail in connection with the
purchase Of government supplies. In the office OF
rhe Assistant Attorney General for the Postofice
Department under Tyner and Barrett Tar
greater wrong was inflicted upon the public
Than could be measured by a pecuniary stan
ar6 for in this Office the corruption OF the gov
.1,a .rs Ga
rich-ouick concerns and Similar swindlins
echeres: in other words. the criminals. whom il
was the sworn duty Of these government OH
cials TO prosecute. paid them for permission 10
fleece the public unmolested.
I heartily approve Of the recommendation Of
-Iessrs. Conrad and Bonaparte that the statute
of limitations be extended in the case OF gov
ernment servants 20 period Of at least five
years, for the persons who in such positions OF
trust engage in corrupt practices can ordinarily
conceal their guilt for longer time than is COW
cred by the present short statute Of limitations.
This recommendation has been laid before the
Congress in the report OF the Attorney General
and ii is earnestly hoped that il will be acted
upon favorably. Moreover. our experience shows
that outsiders claiming political influence Some
times sell their influence to candidates for Office
or in other words blackmail these candidates.
There should be legislation which will permit Of
summary dealing with such offenders.
PUNISHMENT FOR OFFENDERS
However. the prime need is not new legisla-
4ion but the punishment OF those who offend
against existing laws. The Postofice Depart
snent is making certain changes in the methods
Of administration. notably in the method Of in
Epection by which the service VIII be improved
end the chance Of corruption existing without
discovery be minimized but the only way to
meet the real evil is TO punish the offenders, by
removal at any event, and where possible by
prosecution under the criminal statutes. In any
great business. public oT private. wuongdoing is
certain al times TO occur. The way TO guard
against it is vigorously to scrutinize the char
Rcter OF those appointed. carefully to supervise
sheir actions after appointment, and finally TO
punish with relentless severity those who go
wrong. All this is being done.
The immediate reformation of the service by
the turning out OF the offenders is not in itself
erOugh 10 meet the demands of justice The
eases against both those within and those with
cut the Postoffce Department. who by their
acts have brought themselves within the grasp
Of the Law, VIII be pushed with the utmost
Nlgor Every effort must be made to that
both the delinquent Official and the outsider who
shares his guilt are punished TO the limit of the
law. II pursuance Of this policy the individuals
above enumerated have been indicted In no
case has the Indictment been sought save where
The officials o. the government were convinced Of
The mans guilt, and in every case the govern
,nent vii exhaust every eXDedient in its power
"a the effort 10 see that justice is meted out to
The offenders. Those IN the public service whose
oUty II Is must ever be vigilant in the detection
Of wrongdoing, fearless in its exposure, relent-
Jess Ia its prosecution. 5St IN the last resort
when everything which the public Official
whether legislator, judge or executive officer
can Go has been done, il remains for the Jury
UrsWn from The people and representing the peo-
pe. TO do eVenhanded justice. shielding the inno-
cent but declining 10 be misled 10y any plea into
'eifalnlng from punishment Of the guilty.
NOT PARTISAN QUESTION.
80 crime calls for sterner reprobation than The
crime of the corruptionist IN public life and OF
The man who seeks 10 corrupt him. The bribe-
ElVer and the brtbetaker are equally guilty
Both alike sin against the primary law Of the
states SAFETY. All questions Of difference in
party policy sink into insignihcance when the
people OF this country brought face to face
with question Ike this which lies at the root