The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1903-11-30

4 -
| tions. A number of the most res
pactable people in the land offered
voluntary testimony on behalf of Mr.
Tyner. So highly were Messrs. Bea-
who had been brought into close
connection with them that the con-
gress actually provided at it's last
session for raising the salaries of
both, the salary in each case being
increased $500. to take effect at the
beginning of the fiscal year ON July
1st last. BY that date they were
both out of Office. and the Depart
ment of Justice was taking steps to
have them indicted. During Mach
ems term of service he was twice
investigated by congress, once by a
committee of the Senate and once
by a committee of the House. but
was cleared on each occasion. Yet
at that very period. as has been
shown in the present investigation,
NC was SASdSeu III CHo CORRUPT DuSl-
ness for which he has now been re-
moved and indicted. This is no re-
f1ection upon he committee who con
Quoted the investigation: for so skill
fully had Machen concealed his
wrong-doing that il was only reveal
ed after months of Iaborious and ex-
haustive work by trained inspectors
The details of the corruption are
set forth in Mr.. Bristow's report in
me. AS regards Messrs. Beavers
and Machen the corruption took the
form of bribery and blackmail in
connection with the purchase of gov
ernment supplies. In the Office of
the Assistant Attorney General for
the Postoffice Department, under Ty-
ner and Barrett, far greater wrong
was inflicted on the public than can
be measured by a pecuniary stand
ard, for in this office the corruption
Df the government officials took the |
sorm of favoring gat-rich-quick con- |
Germs and similar swindling schemes
n other words the criminals. whom |
t was the sworn duty of these gov
ernment officials to prosecute paid +
hem for permission to fleece the |
public unmolested
| heartily approve of the recon-
nendation of Messrs. Conrad and |
3onaparte that the statute of limi-
atiOns be extended in the case of |
servants to a period of
It least five years; for the persons
Who in such positions of trust en-
,age in corrupt practices can ordi-
larily conceal their guilt for a long
r time than is covered by the pres
mt short statute of limitations This
recommendation has been laid bel
ore congress in the report of the
Attorney General. and it is earnest
y hoped that it will be acted upon
Moreover, our experience
hows that outsiders claiming polit-
cal influence sometimes sell their
influence to candidates for Office. or
n other words blackmail these can
idates. There should be legislation
Which will permit of summary deal
ng with such offenders.
, However, the prime need is not
ew legislation but the punishment
f those who offend against existing
avs. The Postoffice Department is
making certain changes in the meth
DIS of administration, notably in the
Method of inspection, by which the
ervice will be improved and the
hance of corruption existing with
ut discovery be minimiZed: but the
My way to meet the real evil is to
unish the offenders, by removal in
ny event, and where possible by
rosecutiOn under the criminal stat
ties. In any great business, public
ines to occur. The way to guard
gainst it is vigorously to scrutinize
he character of those appointed,
arefully to supervise their actions
fter appointment, and finally to pun
sh with relentless severity those
tho go wrong. All this is being
one.
The immediate reformation of the
ervice by the turning out of the of
enders is not in itself enough to
neet the demands of justice. The
ases against both those within and
hose without the Postofice Depart
nent, who by their acts have
rought themselves within the grasp
f the law, will be pushed with the
tmost vigor. Every effort must be
made to see that both the delinquent
fficial and the outsider who shares
lis guilt are punished to the limit