The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1905-08-25
TO CRUSH NEPOTISM
SENATORS AND REPRESENTA-.
TIvEs PROVIDE LITERALLY.
Secretary Wilson and Vice President
Fairbanks Head List of Men
Who Draw Salaries.

The Portland Oregonian's Washing
ton correspondent digs up the startl-
ing information that the next role es-
sayed by the "big stick" will be to
chasten those in high official places
who have been practicing nepotism.
One phase of the recent graft"
disclosure In the agricultural depart
ment was that Secretary Wilson had
retained in the position of private
secretary for nine years his son,
Jasper Wilson, and that last summer
he sent the latter on a mission to
Alaska, ostensibly to investigate
certain alleged violations of the game
laws, but, when one considers that it
was a delightful summer trip, at the
governments expense, and that Jas
per was enabled thereby to give per-
sonal attention to private investment
in mining property, all the while
prawing his SALARY as private secre-
tary for duties supposed to be per-
formed in Washington, the conclusion
is investable that Father Wilson was
good to Son Jasper. The expense of
young Wilson's junket was about
$500, which the government paid.
Nepotism, although petty species
of grating, is the commonest thing in
Washington. It has grown to be
something atonce ridiculous and de
plorable. President Roosevelt is going
to have his Keep Commission look in
to it and see if the big stick cannot
be brought into play. In every
branch of the government service the
sons, daughters and other relatives
of men of influence in official life may
be found safely enscouced in paying
jobs. In one particular instance Of
record five relatives Of chief in the
interior department have been put up
on the payroll, in cheerful disregard
of the alleged limitations Of the civil
service rules.
One prominent foreman in the gov
ernment printing office-a hotbed Of
graft-has three relatives appointed
under him. Congress can hardly be
expected to correct the evil unless the
president takes firm stand, for me-
potism is more prevalent on Capitol
Hill, or as much SO, than in the ex-
ecutive department. President Roose-
velt's investigation cannot reach con-
gress. If it could, he would read
some interesting disclosures.
For example, the vice president sig
- s.,&w sv,&1 ,ffT rwr
appointing his son as his private secre-
tary at $2220 year. This son has
been travelling over the country with
the ice-president during the summer,
and the work at Washington is being
done by clerk at $144O year
The vice-president has had two of
the members OF bis household staff ON
the government payroll. One. a
woman from Southern Indiana, who
draws salary in the war depart
ment, secured for her by the vice
president, performs the stunt of social
secretary mornings and evenings,
outside of Office hours, for Mrs. Fair
banks. The other is q negro In the
District of Columbia, who enjoys q
messengers salary in the bureau Of
printing and engraving, secured for
him by Mr.. Fairbanks, and who acts
as servant in the vice. presidents s
household nights, mornings and even
ings.
Both United States senator's who
have been tried before federal courts
aud found guilty on serious indict
ments are believers in the practice oi
nepotism, Senator Mitchell. Of Ore
gon, carries his grandson, Johr
Mitchell Handy, as clerk Of the com
mittee on interoceanic canals; for his
son Hiram he procured commission
in the army. w. S. Burton is mes
senger of the committee of which
Joseph Ralph Burton is chairman.
An instance is recalled of a member
OF congress from a Pacific Coast stat
who is now serving in the house TO
second time. When first elected b
brought to Washington young mai
who had barely enough money to pa,
his expenses 70 Washington, but h
brought him under promise that b
would pay him 800 month an
would buy him typewriter. Whel
the poor fellow reached Washington
with only enough money to pay hi
board he was instructed TO buy hi
own machine and when payday role
around the member deducted $40 froT
the promised 500. But the poor fel
low was stranger in Washington
was 5000 miles from home, and b
was compelled to submit.
Another member OF congress from
Pacific Coast state has been regularl
drawing 500 amonth for clerk hir'
but be has seldom spent any of it. !
operates atypewriter himself. is yer
rapid, though somewhat faulty. bJ
he is thrifty. Another Coast membe
noted for his thrift. is saving 800
month ON clerk hire by using pc
and writing his own letters, but he
probably earning the money, for /
works late and begins early ne,
morning he has deal Of correspol
dence. And go it goes; there are il
Vulnerable instances which can
verified, bat what's the nse2 III
members have the money, they real
perjure themselves to get it, tut th'
humiIiate themselves before their co