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 Mr.
Barnes nomina ted to be postmaster OF
Washington, promises. If its attitude Is not
misunderstood, an interesting performance
Of the farce-comedy, How Not to Do It.
The subcommittee feels keenly It's lack
OF power to compel anybody to answer
questions which it shows a disinclnation to
ask 1t is so impressed with the necessity
Of absolute secrecy in respect to an inquiry
which bears a PARKWAY resemblance and re-
lation TO that proverbal sealed book, q.
Senate executive session. that, II it can so
far overcome its dissemination as to ask
questions and anybody is so bold as 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
full committee and from the Senate itself
The charges filed by Senator Tillman pre-
sent vivid picture of a dastardly 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 raise a voice of indignant and righteous
against TINS Insult 10 lne American
Woman at the public offices of the repub-
Hes head servant. If Mr.. Barnes is respon-
sible for this outrageous affair in the man
ner and TO the extern. alleged in the charges.
and If. as charged. having committed
tactless blunder, he falsified 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
hr1rtaIitias nd he of lie Iadc
OF the truth in respect to the matters not
accurately reported in his statement have
never been clearly established It is time
that this was done. and Senator Tillman's
charges furnish the opportunity and pre-
sent the necessity of doing so.
In the interest Of Mr.. Barnes as well
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 it may not compel by
subpoena the presence and sworn testi-
mony of witnesses, 1t can so request them
to attend as TO give them assurance that
their presence is desired and their evidence
welcomed And such a request no honest
witness will disregard. If it must in its
dotngs preserve the shadow of the shadow
of executive session secrecy IT should pre-
serve also the record of the testimony
which is presented 10 it for the information
of the full committee and of the Senate.
The truth of the matter resulting either in
the yindcation or the condemnation Of the
accused, can be ascertaiued by q two-hours'
vigorous and intelligent examination of a
haif-dozen eye-witnesses of the affair whose
names are known to the subcommittee, and
by inquiries, If they will respond to the
suecommittee's invitation, of Mr. Barnes
and Mrs. Morris herself. 1t is not for a
time for secrecy and suppression. for shirk-
Ing, sidestepping and suggestions of i'm
potency. 1t is time to search earnestly for
she truth. to ascertain and publicly de-
clare II.