The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-19
Fair Play for General Brlstow.
To tho Editor Of The journal.

To tho Editor Of The journal.
The attacks being made upon Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General Bristow by
certain congressman are undignifed in;
consistent and unfair.
They are undgnified because they are
couched in the language of men who are
supposed to be gentlemen. They are in
consistent because they are aimed at a
subordinate official who has simply obeyed
the orders Of his superiors, and received
their Communications for the manner in
which he has performed the service com 9
planned of. They are unfair because they
impugn motives and condemn methods
by reasoning which has no support save
that which exists in their own infamed
and disordered imaginations. Why such
a storm about nothing? Why should
members of congress be afraid to trust
the discriminating Judgment Of the people
concerning reports, of public officials COW
ering the administration of the affairs Of
the postal service? After such a display
how can they expect that an investigation
conducted by themselves, concerning the
same matters, will be accepted as more
worthy of public approval than that which
has been made by the postal authorities?
The public is well informed concerning
the practices which have prevailed among
congressman Of all parties from time out
of mind in the thrifty seeking after de-
partment favors for constituents, and
especially for political creditors The
temptation to trade these favors for sub
stantial support makessa case against de-
partnent officials and, members of con-
gress which has long been menace to
good government, and which all good citi-
zens will be glad to see destroyed Those
who have just claims against the gov
eminent should have easy access to the
offices which audit and pay claims; with
out the intervention of congressman.
;-.l,%
| hinder enemies in the prosecution of
claims passing thru their hands if the
matter of favor is to be governed by
discretion rather than law. General Bris-
tow has possibly reached little further
| than was necessary to convict specific
persons of specific offenses but he has
pricked q boil on the body polite which
has long needed such attention, and the
rant1ng of mad congressman will be
abundantly countered by the approval of
the public. '-'-~ 20
1 Congress is a great power in the land,
but the people who make congresses are
greater power. We are indeed maxi
ing Roadway with the idea that public
office is a public and not a private trust,
and we will reach the realization Of that
hope when the use OF public patronage
to purchase the honors and emol1Aments
of office shall be effectually estopped.
General Bristow has AN tunsullied record
for veracity and integrity among those
who know him BEST. ssard. if he is to be
impeached by coagrsssmenn who are Of
Tended BY his reports, they, viii have to
deal with the case in an open, forum
where fair play is assured. e.. : 81
Il There is no possibility Of making party
capital out Of the Investigation and its
sequences. and the mere fact of there
being any cause for embarrassment over
the plain truth being made public justi-
f1es every effort to make the occasion for
such embarrassment impossible
| The plain purpose Of the administration
to deal firmly and impartially with deep
rooted and questionable custom will be
all the more appreciated because Of the
very difficulty Of the task
T -, &c. e. Faulkner.