The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-21

how complete the refutation of the charges, they do a damage that cannot be wholly repaired
 MT. Bowen has been a long time in the consular and diplomatic service; during much of that time he has done good work, and until recentlyI I had hoped to promote him; If I could condone his misconduct in this case I would gladly do so; but his usefulness in the diplomatic service is at an end. I do not desire to punish him; save for the great risk to the ser vice to which would be involved in his retention I would be willing to let his conduct go unpunished save by a severe admonition: but I feel that 1t is impos- sible. to retain him wthou, exposing the interests of the government to a risk so great that 1t cannot justifiably be in- cured. I would direct his resignation but for the statement made on his behalf in your presence and mine today that he would consider a resignation an admis- sion of misconduct; accordingly I direct that he be dismissed from the service.
 "THEO. ROOSEVELT'
 Taft Exonerates Loomis.
 The letter of Secretary Taft to the Pres ident reporting on his inquiry Into the case says that the evidence shows that the only transaction Loomis ever had with the New York and Bermudez As- phalt company was mere transfer Of funds from Caracas to New York, In which MT. Looms was indscreet in e. coming personally interested in the Mer- cado claim Tn another transacuoa In which President Castro regarded Mir Loomis s acting on behalf of an Ameri- can syndicate MT. Taft says that MT. Loomis was ''certainly treading on dan gerous ground in bringing his official life so close to a transaction in which he fa(V sonal interest" After exonerating MT. Loomis of other charges. Secretary Taft says:
 'The transactions of MT. Loomis show what seems to me that he was not dis erect in withholding personal participa- tion in enterprises in furthering which he might find his position as minister use- ful. Caracas is full of concession holders and concession hunters. The gossip of the town is full of charges of corruption against every diplomatic representative Under these circumstances it seems to me that it was the business of the minister of the United States to keep his skirts especially clean of personal participation in any business which might bring him into contact with the government.
 Wanted to Encourage Investment.
 MT. Loomis says that he was intense- ly interested as American minister in en- oouraging investment of American capi- tai in Venezuela with view to assisting both countries and bringing them to- gether: that this was known to many at Caracas and attracted to him all kinds If proro sitions: that for his efforts to further American business interests he received the thanks of an association of American merchants. While this was all doubtless true, it did not justify Mir Loomis in becoming personally interest ed in any of the schemes either with mere nominal interest, because that would mislead others. or with a sub stantal interest because It would surely in the end make his public duty and private interests conflict.
 'No one can read this evidence with out being convinced that Mir. Loomis has been most cruelty slandered in the charges against his integrity and sin cerity as public official and as a man. but in the very great satisfaction that we find in his present exculpation from all charges of dishonesty we cannot be blind to. the fact that his failure to hold himself utterly aloof from any personal participation in plans for investments and exploitation of the country to which he was accredited and from allowing himself to take personal interests in transactions in which he or his legation might also have to act in trust capac- ity lent color to the aspersions upon his character, which his enemies have been only too willing to make and support.
 Comments Ills Restraint.
 ..I cannot close this without commend ing the dignity and self-restraint with which MT. Loomis has met the charges which have been made against him. carges made. I am sorry to say, with reclSlessness and epithet likely to have