West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-09-17
OUR washington LETTER.
Too Much Payne in the Postofiee
Department.

SvPaf su0uls
The Commissioner or Labor Makes an
Important Decision.
From our regular correspondent.
WASHINGTON, ID. C., Sept "a. Ioo3-
Postmaster General Payne has sown the
| wind and he, or the President, must reap
the whirlwind. This is the confident pre-
dietion not only of Democratic but of
Republican politicians. The discharge of
Miss Hulda Todd, postm,stiess of Green
wood. Delaware, to please Senator Alice,
the Addicks Senator, has met with the sever
est condemnation throughout the country
and will be made a national issue IL not
reversed. III reversed, the President may
pass unscathed, but Postmaster General
Payne, will in the opinion Of those in
position to judge, haze to resign. Postmaster
General Payne, who was called to the cabi.
net at the reques, Of Senator Hanna because
the latter owed Payne many political debts,
has never acquitted himself with eredi, in
his present position. Everyone in close
touch. with the Postofiice investigation
appreciates that had there not been Bristow
at hand, not only to take the lead, but to
skillfully place his chief in positions where
he was compelled to take the right course,
the whole investigation would have proved
farce aud II is further known that in many
instances Payne has by his obsequiousness
to the political bosses and his loyalty to
political heachmen unworthy of trust,
placed almost insurmountable obstacles in
Bristow's way. Now, however, he has
capped the climax and IL Mr.. Roosevelt
makes the least pretention to consistency he
cannot fail to relieve the postal service of
man whose every conception of his duty is
at total variance with the Presidents pro.
fessions.
ttt
Just as the Todd incident was being
teiegraphed from one end OF the country
to the other, another Delaware deveIope.
ment occdrred and served to recall the
most discreditable incident OF the Roose.
welt administration. United States District
Attorney William Michael Byrne has re.
signed. Byrne resigned his position some
time ago to run for Congress but was de-
feated because he was an Addicks Repub-
lican. After his defeat. the President sent
his nomination to the Senate but Senator
Hoar. chairman of the Judiciary Committee
was so opposed to "Addicksism' that he
fought Byrne's confirmation and was
successful. When the Senate convened in
special session the President again sent in
Byrne's nomination and again Mr.. Hoar
defeated its confirmation. Then, after he.
had twice been repudiated by the Senate
because OF his association with an infamous
political corruptionist. he was again APP
pointed to the position by Mr.. Roosevelt,
as recess appointment" Now he has
resigned because he appreciates that the
Senate will never confirm him and the
President cannot oppose the wishes of that
body when IL Is in session. Decent people
irrespective or party, are hoping that the
President will have the courage to wash
his hands OF the notorious Addicks for all
time, but the telegraphic news Is to the
effect that Addicks' lieutenant, Alice, has
already gone to Oyster Bay to secure the
selection of an Addicks man as Byrne's
successor. and the public will await with
interest the news OF the reception accorded
him by Mr.. Roosevelt
TT
Commissioner of Labor. Carroll ID.
Wright. has. in the capacity of umpire for
board of Cancellation appointed under
the provisions OF the decision OF the An
tlraCifa (-0aI 10
an important decision affecting labor. Mr.
Wright. adjudicating a case where the
labor interests claimed that one OF their
number had been discharged without
cause, points out that the right OF discharge
must remain with the employer, the only
alternative being the forfeiture OF the right
oil quittal on the part OF the employed In
other words, IL the employer has no right
to discharge his men then the men can
claim no right to quit and virtual serfdom
would be thus created. The labor organi-
zations are said to be displeased with the
decision. but Mr.. Wright's corrollary is so
obvious ihstit is probable that when further
reflection has enabled them to take a
broader view OF the situation they will
appreciate the justice of the decision.
TIT
There have been some important devel-
opments in connection with the postofice
investigation during the past week but
their realssignihcance is thus far guarded
with the utmost secrecy. II is known that
the District Of Columbia grand jury has
returned seven indictments against six
persons, but who those persons are tits
impossible TO ascertain. Arrests are ex.
pected hourly now and as soon as they are
made the facts will doubtless be given to
the public There are known to be some
twenty cases before the grand jury and II
is intimated that the most sensational in
dictments have not yet been returned,
although they are expected soon. Post
master General Payne has stated that
when the grand jury disposes Of the cases
now before IL, the criminal prosecutions
growing out OF the investigations will be all
undeI way. He has further stated that
frauds involving approximately S7zs.ooo are
under consideration by the jury at the
present time. A number OF dismlssals will
doubtless follow the conclusion OF the
legal end Of the investigation and there