The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-03-18
PUBLICITY THE ONLY CURE.

Excitement in Congress over the pres
entation and consideration of the now IA
nous "Bristow" report on the relations
of Congressman with the Postofflce De
partment has not yet subsidized. The in
dignation of many members whose re-
quests for increased allowances for their
constituents, made in good faith and from
honest motives, have been prom ounced
irregular" and improper" is but nat
ural and justifable. The unfortunate
feature of the case is that they should be
compelled to have their names coupled
with those of ex postal officials now un-
der sentence or indictment for depart
ment rascalities. The situation forces
the Congressman involved to enter upon
a campaign of explanation, and explana-
tons, be it remembered. are not likely to
prove popular with the voters.
The outburst of feeling in Congress
will not be in vain if it results in devisin g
system for the management of depart
mental affairs that will remove the excuse
for conditions warranting a recurrence OF
such exposures. How can such scandals
be avoided in the future? Obviously, the
greatest safeguard is publicity as now
employed and more literally proposed in
the case of trusts The method of secur-
ing this publicity is important, and The
Post begs to offer suggestion. Why
should not the government publish daily
official gazette-under whatever title may
be decided upon-giving all appoint
ments, promotions, removals, increases in
salaries, increased allowances, award OF
contracts, and all actions of the govern
ment affecting or involving the expendi-
ture of public money? Such publica'
ton would furnish the means, which the
newspapers of the nation would prompt
" and eagerly welcome, of printing in
every Congressional district in the coun-
try from day to day every official action
of the Congressman affecting the Office
holders in his district, and thus subject
this action to the test of scrutiny and To-
cal criticism. There would be an end to
the scandals over the leasing of public
buildings, the increase of allowances for
postmasters, and the award of contracts.
Bidders would receive notification of
pending contracts and favoritism would
be made impossible. Publicity invites
confidence; secrecy breeds suspicion.
Almost every member of the Congress
who has spoken in response to implica-
tons made against him in the "Bristow'
report has asserted-and, The Post be-
lieves, truthfuliy-that he has nothing to
conceal in the matters under discussion
and has done nothing in such connection
in surreptitious manner. Such being
the case, the Congressman should Welcome
the proposed publicity of all department
tai affairs affecting matters in his dis
trict.
While department changes are made by
the thousand during the year, the daily
list could be easily printed in much less
space than is now occupied in the produc-
ton of the Congressional Record. The
expense of the publication cannot be con.
sidered, in view Of the saving in public
money that would undoubtedly be accom-
plished by the proposed publicity. To
make such a publication effective there
should be an explicit and positive require
ment, either by legislation or executive
order, that department heads should fur
nish full and complete information daily
upon the matters to be included in the
gazette. The present situation is critical
for many members of the Congress, and
we are convinced that they cannot pro-
tect themselves more effectually than by a
law compelling publicity in all such mat
ters.-- Washington Post.
Hon. Isidor Rayner was Monday night
formally notified of his election as United
States Senator to succeed Hon. Louis E.
McComas, on March 4, 1905. The Motif
cation took place in a private parlor of
the Hotel Belvidere, Baltimore. Although
the notification was formal, the proceed
ings were strictly informal.