Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-09-01
FRAUDS IN POST OFFICE.
Their Magnitude Is Far Beyond What
Is Given Out by Repub-
lican Authorities.

The post once department should
be run on business basis so that the
people everywhere would have the best
service for the vast amount of money
that is expended. The investigation
now going on shows that the republic
can plan has been to make the depart-
ment a political machine to aid repub-
lican candidates and pack caucuses and
conventions in the interest of those
who are for the time in charge. POST
master General Payne was selected by
the president not rs the most compe-
tent man, but as the most adroit and
dexterous machine politician available,
and he has been looked upon as the po-
litical manipulation of the administra-
ton. No credit is due to him for the
exposure of the rotten conditions that
prevail in his department. He has per-
sistently made light of hecharges that
have resulted in the revelations that
have so far reached the public. His con-
fidential secretary is charged with be-
ing mixed up in the scandals and Mr..
Payne is evidently shielding him from
being included,in the investigation that
is still in progress. How far the probe
will reach is still question and de-
ponds upon the president. He has the
power to go to the root of the matter,
whoever is hurt. That behind the small
fry who have SO far been caught in the
investigation net, there are other and
larger fish is apparent. The New York
World in this connection says:
Behind Beavers and Machen,it seems
to be clearly established that there
were men higher up leaders in the
senate and house, who were using them
as tools to exploit the postal service
for their own political ends. The fact
that the total annual expenditure for
ruralfree delivery service was less than
$4,000 in 1897, is now $12, 10000 and
will be. it is estimated, $24,OOo.00 a
year when it is fully expanded, indi-
Gates what a magnificent field for loot
and blackmail it offers to corrupt Of
ficials working in collision with self
seeking senator's and congressman.
The public have right to know the
whole truth. The statesmen now dim
ly discerned in the background, work
ing the rural free delivery system as a
patronage mill and incidentally as a
political bureau. must be brought to
the front. Mr.. Roosevelt's plain duty
to the country is to force Mr.. Payne,
no matter how powerful the influences
may be that seek to smother this
manifestly far-reaching scandal, to live
up to the historic mandate, Let no
Crui1fy r,,op
If President Roosevelt decides to
push the investigation, no matter who
is caught in the dragnet and will see
that those in charge make it thorough
and complete, he will have to give the
important matter considerable person.
al attention. The obstacles in the way
are powerful and far-reaching and may
involve the disruption of the cabinet
and the SCATTERING of the political ma
chine that is expected to have charge of
the national campaigns soon to be IN
augurated. It appears that the presi-
don't was informed, more than year
ago, that the post Office department
was honeycombed with fraud, but he
was assured by the postmaster genera
that there was no truth in the charge
Events seem to be moving rapidly in the
direction that either the investigation
must be suspended or the presiden,
will have to request the resignation Of
his postmaster general.