The Washington times., 1905-09-17

Some one has said that latterly con-
litions have not been -ood for erafters
They have certainly been most fayorat BILE
for the discovery of defalcations and the
exposure of the unfaithlui In Washing
ton / believe IT is expected that at all
capitals there Is always some dishonest
person in the employ of the government
and that il would be expecting too much
to imagine that there would ever be a
time when there was not pecuiation OF
public funds.
Some ttne ago investigations began in
the Postofifce Department, resulting in
startling discoveries and the fall of men
who had been intrusted with power and
bonored by appointment to prominent
and important positions. and develop
ing astounding connections In the sys-
tema tic robbery OF the Government.
In the offce of the Auditor of the Dis
trict a young man on small salary had
actually carried on the most audacious
scheme OF thievery In, handlin- the
checks payable TO the Auditors Office
and boldly dashed about the city in an
automobile that many wealthy mer
would not have thought OF owning,
played the races, went TO New York and
other cities on outing expeditions with
out attracting the attention OF the Of
Hcials, until by accident his defalcations
We're discovered.
He was subsequently tried. convicted
and sentenced 10 the penitentiary for a
fact that there had been blind neeli-
gence or he could never have taken s75.-
300 from the treasury by false entries be-
fore he was caught.
Interior Department.
The Interior Department furnished an
other opportunity for stupendous frauds
with which the names of distinguished
persons were connected to the extent OF
blasting hitherto brilliant regulations.
The National Museum. supposedly one
OF the most carefully administered de-
partments Of the Government. furnished
the next startling case or systematically
crooked bookkeeping and abstraction OF
public moneys extending over a number
of years that has ever occurred. A man
commanding the confidence of every
body connected with the Museum had
been practicine the most giaring frauds
without anyone having the least sus-
p.cion Of his dishonesty until many thou
sands Of dollars were diverted to his
own use
Then came the amazing announcement
that in the staid and apparently incor-
ruptible Agricultural Department there
was the most lucrative speculation goins
on that could be imagined.
Rigid Investigations are being made
and almost everyone connected with an,
OF the departments feels like the officers
of the army do about the Taggars case
nervous lest their names may be men
toned IN some way as associated with
some OF these cases
Thus far much has been done to purge
the departments OF the Government of
unworthy agents and officials. and IL is
to be hoped that the results may be
phenomenal IN the successful prosecu-
ton and conviction OF wrongdoers.
Vacations Here.
The annual vacations are about over
with everyone. from millionaires &c
school children, and in no place IN the
country IS vacation more of an institu-
tion than in Washington. The holidays
have almost ended and all must return
to their accustomed occupations Mer
and women. girls and boys who have
employment must take up their duties
after a b=ief respite from the treadnii
life they must lead for eleven months o,
the year Most OF them feel refreshed
by the change and are ready for the
multiplied duIies that generally await
them.
In some cases the leave of absence
has been spent at some resort where
they have entered into all sorts OF di
versions with a perfect abandon. and
II they have derived any benefit it ID
from the change OF occupation and en-
vironment and not from the rest and
quiet supposed TO be necessary for tn,
weii-being of every person
II IS lucky thing for the children
that the long vacation which intervene.
between tho closing and opening of th'
school term should come TO q close. a.
before the expiration Of the three
months usually given they become des
pera;e for something 10 do and general
IL set into mischief and give thei
parents or guardians a great deal o
trouble to keep them employed unit
time TO begin their school work
1t takes them almost a month to ge
settled down TO earnest application :.
their studies after spending SO mucl
time in idfeness- 1t seems sometime
that they can hardly get well starte,
terrupt them, ard yet we hear u grea
Ceal about too close application and to-
much confinement of the children of tn
present day.
Young Looked After
To most observers the variety intro
drced in modern schools leaves littl,
ground for this complaint. Athleti'
sports. military drill. physical culture
and manual training are now part of th'
curriculum OF all schools. Girls and
boys have the privilege of the symna
Sums and as most young persons en-
joy exercise there are few who do no
avail themselves OF these privileges NJ
nation on the globe does so much 20
! children as the American. not onl,
for their advancement but for thei
diversion as well.
August -. 1906. will be a memorable
| day IN the annals OF history. as on thi
day the glad tidings ot peace betweei
Russ,a and Japan were spread through
out the whole world The labors o
! President Roosevelt for peace and hu