Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-18
Time to Learn the Truth.

The senatorial subcommittee appointed
TO examine into the charges against MI
Barnes. nominated to be postmaster or
Washington. promises. II Its attitude is not
misunderstood, an interesting performance
Of the laIce-comedy. glow Not to Do It
The subcommittee feels keenly its lack
of power to compel anybody to answer
questions which It shows Discrimination to
ask. 1t is so impressed with the necessity
Of absolute secrecy IN respect to an inquiry
which bears PARKWAY resemblance and re-
tation to that pToverbial sealed book. a
Senate executive session. that. II 1t can so
far overcome It's Discrimination as to ask
questions and anybody is so bold to
volunteer and insist upon answering them.
those answers must never be made of rec
ord lest the eye OF man may some time
rest upon them and be shocked. So far as
the permanent written record is concerned.
they must be kept secret. even from the
fun committee and from the Senate itself
The charges filed by Senator Tillman pre-
sent a vivid picture of a dastardy outrage
upon American womanhood the reading of
which makes the blood boil of every nor
mally constituted American. There is no
unbiased woman TOR man. either who will
not raite n voice of indignant and righteous
protest against this insult to the American
Woman at the public offices of the repub
lies head servant. II Mr.. Barnes is respon-
sible for this outrageous affair in the mar
ner and to the extent alleged in the charges
and IT, charged. having committed
tactless blunder. he falsfied to protect him
self, he is unfit TO be rewarded with any
Office in the gift of the American people.
The degree of his responsibility for these
brutalties and the extent of his knowledge
OF the truth In respect to the matters not
accurately reported in his statement have
never been clearly established. 1t is time
that this was done. and Senator Tillmans
charges furnish the opportunity and pre-
sent the necessity of doing So
In the interest of Mr.. Barnes as well
as of this community. the White House,
from the President down, should insist
upon his acquittal or conviction under these
charges The subcommittee appointed to
Investigate does not lack real power to
learn the truth. If 1t may not compel by
subpoena the presence and sworn testi-
mony Of witnesses, 1t can so request them
10 attend as to give them assurance that
their presence is desired and their evidence
welcomed And such a request no honest
witness will disre gard. If it must in its
dcings preserve the shadow OF the shadow
OF executive session secrecy, 1t should pre-
serve also the record OF the testimony
which is presented to it for the information
OF the full committee and of the Senate.
The truth of the matter. resulting either in
the vindicahon or the condemnation OF the
accused, can be ascertained by a two-hours'
vigorous and intelligent examination OF a
hAlf-dozen eye-witnesses of the affair whose
names are known o the subcommittee, and
by inquiries. If they will respond 10 the
subcommittee's invitation. of Mr. Barnes
and Mrs Morris herself. 1t Is not for a
thne for secrecy and SUPPRESSION. for shirk-
Ing. stdestepping and suggestions of i'm
potency. II is time TO search earnestly for
the truth, to ascertain and publicly de-
clare Il