The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-06-17
|BOMbSHELL IN
CIVIL SERv|CE'S
hESSER INQUIRY
May Make Knox Fed
eral Leader in Place
of Penrose.
REPORT OF COMMISSION
REPORT OF COMMISSION
Story of Washington Men
implicated in Philadelphia
Frauds Now Revealed.

Far-reaching political Importance is
attached to the conclusion by the Civil
Service Commission Of its inquiry into
the Messer and Parks Federal appoint
ment cases in Philadelphia
The connection of the persons named
with Samuel Salter's ballot-box stuffing
expedition of 1893, notorious affair
known to all Philadelphians, has been
thoroughly investigated in the past few
days and some interesting announce
ment is anticipated when President
Roosevelt receives the official report
1t is believed that the President, ii:
view of the Philadelphia municipal up
heava1, has determined to gather in
formation direct as to the methods pur-
sued in the Quaker City TO make the
Federal Government the mere instru-
ment and co-partner of the Philadelphia
machine in taking care of corrupt poll
ticians who had done the dirty work"
for the gang" These men had to be
provided for in some official way and
the Federal Government was fourd TO
be the easiest to manipulate, since. the
Washington officials could not be ex-
pected to be posted as to the malodo-
rous records of all the men recoa'mend-
ed for office.
Knox the New Leader.
Perhaps the main result Of the COM
missions recent inquiry has been to
develop this fact in way that is likely
to satisfy the President of a few things
which may not have been entirely clear
to hi-.s heretofore. Senator Penrose, the
dispenser of Federal patronage in Penn
sylvania since Quay's death, has been.
thoroughly identified with Durham. Nc
Nfchoi and the other recently discredited
local leaders In Philadelphia. This fact
is thought to have impressed the Presi-
dent with the idea that continuance
OF favors to Penrose will convey the
undoubted impression that he approves
all the Senator's political methods.
Such superstition would be so far
from the true Roosevelt teachings that
irt Administration circles some drastic
action is expected, albeit in a quiet way
1t is accepted that Senator Knox will
be recognized as the Presidents per
sonal representative in the making of
Federal appointments in PENNSYLVANIA
hereafter. ind that his recommends
tions wiz not be those of corrupt poll
ticians. The fact that Senator Knox no
K
from which city he was elected to the
Senate, but spends his time at Valley
Forge, just in the suburbs of PhiIadel-
phia, strengthens the view that the
President may readily decide to consult
him chiefly hereafter instead of Pen
rose.
The Commissions Report.
Civil Service Commissioner Greene
U.lc ncoir hi
after his official visit to Philadelphia
with Commissioner Afford W. Cooley.
The latter has now gone to Cambridge.
Mass, for the commencement festivities
at Harvard, from which he was grad
cate copy of the report on the Phila-
delphia case and when he has reviewed
1T the original copy now In the hands
of Commissioner Greene will be sent
TO the President This will proba bly be
done Tuesday next
Whiie the conclusions reached by the
commission Will not be revealed prior
10 their presentation to the President
1t Is thought they will fully sustain the
charges made several months ago by
Robert d. jerks, in behalf of the Civil
Service Reform Association of Phfla-
deiphia. This means the commission
Will adopt the view advanced to them,
that Deputy Internal Revenue Collec-
Luz dlSUlSSdi from office Will
be for the good of the Federal service
Base Practices Shown Up.
The commissions report covers nine
typewriter pages, and goes at length
into the general conditions Investigated
by them. II Is of especial interest TO
Washingtonians, as well as Pennsyl-
vanians n the Government service here
since the whole scheme was laid bare by
Washington man, while others here
participated in the election frauds.
George K Kirkland is the local man
who exposed the job. According to his
own story to the commission, he be-
came aware that n gang of election re-
peaters was going from Washington to
Philadelphia for the fall election of 1899
The party was headed by man named
Rogers, then a lieutenant Of Capitol
police, and Clarence Messer then a
clerk In the Library of Congress They
intended to vote IN numerous precincts
In the Quaker City, and relied or their
political pull to save them in ca Sc of
arrest.