The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-08
LOOK AT THE CONTRAST.

the Post Office Department. When the
papers, which unearthed the rottenness,
asked the Postmaster General what he
had to say about the first disclosures, his
reply was Say he just laughed" But
he couldn't laugh away the steals and
the graft that honeycombed the depart
ment. The public forced indictments and
prosecutions and few of the rascals have
beeu convicted, but the whole power of
the administration has been exerted to
prevent any investigation of the depart
ment. When the demand became very
strong for an investigation. an attempt
was made to shift the wrong-doing of de-
partment officials by presenting a report
intended and calculated to put the whole
blame upon honorable members of Con-
cress. lust as in North Carolina the apollo
gists of the conspiracy to grab the A. and
n. C. Railroad. seek to avoid the conse-
quences of their criminal action by an
equally vicious and unfounded attack
upon courageous public officials who trus-
t,ated their illegal designs upon State and
individual property. Congress, or por-
ton of it, was demanding an investigation
into the affairs Of the Post Office Depart
ment. Thinking to change the issue, the
Bristow report, coupling proper recon-
mendations with those that were wrong,
was sprung on the public. The outrage
identical with the attempt of the McBee
crowd to iniure the Governor)-was so
infamous as to arouse popular indigna-
ton, and the attempt to fix odium upon
officials who had done nothing improper
il would result in securing full and COM
plete investigation of the affairs OF the
Post Office Department. But, just when
the House seemed ready to order the in
vestigation, Speaker Cannon and Chair
man Overstreet were summoned to the
White House When the ear permitted
them to return to their posts of duty,
they put in motion the necessary machin-
cry 20 prevent an investigation OF the
affairs of the Department. only allowing
each member of the House who had been
maligned to make statement generating
himself But, under no circumstances,
was any general investigation of the de-
partment to be undertaken. Reason: it
is reeking with corruption and they dared
not risk letting out the foul odors during
scandals are Theoretically sealed until af-
ter the election.
Now for the contrast: Without notice
to the management, directors or the Gov
ernor, the Atlantic and North Carolina
Railroad is put in the hands of a receiver
by a certain party who does not own a
cent of stock in the road and is not a
resident of the State. He makes certain
charges of bad management. By deceiv-
ing the Judge, his pal is put in charge
Of the property. When he is torcibly
elected, the receiver repeats F'inch's
says were ascertained during the few
days he was in charge of the road. These
charges were all new to the Governor. He
had continued in control of the road the
same management that was selected
through legislation enacted by the Gen
eral Assembly of 1899, and as soon as the
charges of Encouragement and wrong-do-
ing were made, of his own motion, the
Governor announced that he would name
committee of disinterested citizens to
make full and thorough investigation
of the physical and financial condition of
the company If every statement made
by both Finch and McBee is true, that
would not justify taking the property out
of the hands of it's owners and putting it
in the hands of men lacking financial re.
sponsibility, who have no interest in the
property. The presence of McBee
and Finch is due to a desire
to grab what belongs to others for
their own benefit or to a disinterested
deep interest in the affairs of other folks
that is unprecedented in the history of
the road. Are they free-booters or
altruists? Though he knew and all the
whole State knew that these charges were
made by soldiers of fortune. instigated
thereto by enemies of the Democratic adj
minlstration, and for selfish and ulta-
rlor purposes, Governor Aycock, for his
| own information and to enlighten the peo-
pie of the State, named three of the hon
cstest and best men in the State for this
| important work. They are now engaged
in making full Investigation and as soon
as they have furnished their report to the
Governor it will be made public. If they
should find the charges true, the Gov
ernor will promptly take the steps neces
sary to secure new management. II the
charges are found to be untrue, the man
agement is entitled to vindication. The
PEOPLE of North Carolina Of all parties
we do not refer to the Albsidized sheets
~ apH Iii bot n,