The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-02
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Since Senator Burton has been con-
victed, his friends are doing thing
characteristic of the friends of all
crooks. trying to besmirch honest man
that the crook may not appear so
black. And the man whom the Bur
ton papers and friends are trying to
blacken is Joseph L. Bristow.
Theodore Roosevelt. who has been
working with Bristow in washington
for good government for seven years,
and who knows him through and
through, has said that Bristow's serv-
ice to the country is one of the most
important pieces of work done in the
history of the nation. When congress
attacked Bristow, Theodore Roosevelt
stood by him. Bristows connection
with the Burton case was not as an
| instigator The Gazette knows pos
itively that not until the case had been
presented to the postoffice department
from the attorney generals office did
Bristow know that there was any talk
of proceeding against Burton. The
case had its start in the law depart
ment probably upon presentations, and
Bristow was ordered by his superiors
to do the little routine work that he
did on the case. He did what he did
/
be used against him; he entered upon
his duty with the same feeling for
Burton that he had for that other and
more powerful crook, August w. Ma
chen-in the fear that his motives
would be questioned. and his own hon
esty discredited. But nevertheless he
went ahead. He obeyed orders And
Burton followed Machen.
1t is said that Bristow has practical
nepotism: this is not true. The Cap
ital printed a statement that Bristow's
father, his brother, his son, and his
cousin are on the payroll of the post
office department. The facts are these:
Bristow's father is now living near
Baldwin, Kas., and is not and never
has been employed in the postoffice de-
partment Several years ago, when he
was hale and strong, Bristow's father
was a clerk. appointed in the regular
way in the interior department, at $500
a year. He had the regular indorse-
ments of congressman and senators
and was regularly appointed. But ill
health compelled him to quit work,
and he is now at home in Baldwin
Bristow's half-brother was for two
years a fourth-class postmaster in a
small town in Utah but he also had
the recommendation of the local polit
! ical authorities, and held the job only
two years and resigned four years ago.
If Bristow had not been in Office the
appointment would have been made.
Bristow's son was employed few
! weeks. not by Bristow, but by the
/ postmaster at Washington, as a mes
/ senger, while the regular messenger
was on a vacation. That was two
years ago. The boy applied for the job
| himself, and there was no reason why
he shouldn't have it. The one thing
/ may be said against Bristow is this:
That he has a cousin who holds a po-
sition in washington at S55 a month.
There is no question about the excel
lence of the work this cousin does; but
/ the appointment is charged against
Bristow.
AS to Henry Allen. he is not en-
ployed by the postoffice department; he
( has not been employed by the postofice
! department either under Postmaster
General Payne or his predecessor, Post
master General Smith, either as ex-
aminer nor in any way whatever
4 What he may have done before that,
before Bristow had any influence in the
department, is immateriaI. Aliens
employment in Kansas by the state
under Governor Stanley or Bailey, in
no way concerns Bristow. as he was
stronger with them than Bristow ever
was. It is as unfair to charge Aliens
state employment to Bristow as it
would be to charge the business success
of Allen or of any other of Bristow's
/ friends to him.
The fight on Bristow is made to
clear two boodlers: one is August w.
Machen and the other is J. r. Burton.
/ Bristow's business has. been thief
taking; it was not a pleasant task nor
one Of his seeking Orders came to
him from his superiOrs to gather evil
dence against Machen and Burton.
Bristow obcyed orders.