New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-21

Washington, April -
MUCKRAKTNG MAD.-That the cheap
notoriety quite as much as any possible
political benefit. 20 be gained by vociferous
exploitation OF partial evidence which seems
10 indicate the existence OF scandal has
completely turned che heads % many 81
tho less responsible members OF the mi
nori;y party is the charge made by the
older heads in Congress and there is album
cant evidence TO warrant the charge. The
notoriety gained jus; now by Representative
Martin. OF Colora do. in his charges Of cor
fuption in connection with the sale Of GER
tain Philippine lands 20 = man assumed to
represent the Sugar Trust is the latest in
stance OF this sort Of mania. The case Of
Representative Rainey. or Illinois, who
sought 10 besmirch the character ~ the
President in connection with the Panama
canal purchase some months ago. is an
other. and stiu another is that OF Repre-
sentative Hitchcock. or Nebraska. who
brought wholly haseless charges OF eXtrsva-
gance against the administration OF the
General Land Ofice-charges which have
been completely disproved on examination.
but which did not fail or their purpose. the
gaining OF a certain cheap notorieiy for
their author. who would doubtless have re-
services in two previous Congresses had he
not found an opportunity 10 come to the
surface on the current wave OF Undertaking.
TRUTH AT a DISCOUNT.-Only two
qualifications are necessary 20 this sort or
notoriety-frst. a vivid imagination. and,
second. complete indifference 10 truth.
In seeking 10 create sensation where none
existed Mr.. Martin misled the House re-
garding the recent sale Of the San Jose
estate, or approximately 90 acres, in Min
doro- With the evidence TO the contrary
before him, as shown by the fact that he
quoted from IL in part Mr.. Martin per-
mitted the House 10 believe that this estate
had cost the Philippine government about
$500 600. although the administration has
Just sold il for $685.. oao and this despite the
fact that the communication from the War
Department, parts OF which Mr.. Martin
quoted, expressly stated tha; the San Jose
estate had cost seas 600 and that the price
at which Il was sold was 81. 600. which
covers the initial cost to the Philippine
government. with interest thereon at per
cent per annum from the date OF purchase
until the date OF sale and the cost Of sd-
ninistrstion. with interest thereon At the
same rate" or course. Mr.. Martin also
suppressed all the evidence going TO show
that this was wholly unoccupied land. in
remote region, and impossible Of develop
ment except by the expenditure of an i'm
nense capital He failed 20 show that tho
sale was made 20 an individual. not TO a
corporation. Incidentally he failed 70 refer
80 the feet that only 2 comparatively short
time ago the Democrats in Congress we're
insisting that the purchase OF the frisrs'
~
Philippine government. and that this sale
90 one II the least desirable estates az
price which completely REIN hursed the gov
eminent is 2 stultifcation OF tn. dire Dem
ocrstic predictions made a. that time To
have told the whole truth would not have
gained FOR the author OF the tale the ncto-
rietv he has won.
DEMOCRATIC IOGIC.-AcCcrdins 70 the
Democratic uuckrskers. the great evil IF
former administration was its disregard cf
Law According ~ The Democratic IoEir5sDS