The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-01-05
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possible that both of the principals to
the CONTROVERSY may be represented
by counsel.
It was agreed by all persons who
have given close attention to the Bal.
linger-Pinchot squabble that the in.
vestigation should be open to the pub
lie and this is ordered by the resolu-
tion. One of the big rooms in the new
senate office building will be used for
this purpose.
In presenting the resolution, Mr..
Jones said:
"The various departments and bu-
reaus of the government are organ
lied to do its business in the interests
of the people. Every official is but a
servant and agent of the people to act
for them under and within the limits
of the law. The efficiency of public
service depends much upon the conf
dence of the people in the honesty and
integrity Of their servants and agents.
ut is bad commentary upon the
state of public opinion that the mo-
ment man accepts a public office he
becomes scoundreI in the eyes of
many Of our people and his previous
life OF honesty and rectitude is no war
rant of official integrity. His acts are
misconstrued and his motives ques-
toned Insinuations and innuendoes
are freely made under the guise of pub
lie welfare but in reality to foster some
private interest Popular views are
taken advantage of to discredit an
official, who, after investigating all
phases of subject, may reach a de-
cision at variance with some private
interest.
Many do not stop to think how sell
dom have government officials gone
astray compared with their opportuni-
ties and temptations for wrong doing.
In the hundred and twenty-five years
of our national life few of the men in
thigh positions have been actuated by
other than the highest and most pat
riotic motives. This Should cause our
people to hesitate to accept charges of
base conduct against their public ser
wants without investigation and prof.
"The press and magazines of the
country for several months have been
filed with charges against the present
Secretary of the Interior and his con-
duct of the ofsse he holds. These
charges range from petty insinuations
and innuendoes to direct charges of
malfeasance and misconduct in Office
which, if true, show that he has most
unworthily discharged his trust. A mo-
ment's thought should cause an hon
est and fair minded man to hesitate to
aecept such charges against man
whose whole life heretofore has been
one of the highest rectitude and
|, against whom no dishenerable charge
has ever been made in either private
or public life.
Such a man is the present Secre-
tary of the Interior He is over fifty
years Of age, an honored graduate of
Williams College and lawyer of dis
/ tinction. He came to our state in 1889
and has lived there ever since. He was
q Superior Judge for four years and
Mayor of the city of Seattle, Washing
ton, and his administration of that Of
fee has been model for his success
sors. He accepted the office Of Com
missioner of the General Land Office
at the urgent solicitation of Secretary
Garfield who knew personally his ster-
ling character and exceptional ability
He did not seek that Office. He accept
ed his present position only upon the
earnest soliciatation of the President.
He did not seek it. It meant nothing
to him but hard work and poor pay.
He gave up large and lucrative law
practice simply at the call of patriot
lie duty. It is possible that he at once
became the scoundrel and arch enemy
Of the people that be has been depict,
ed in the public press? | cannot be-
lieve it. II he has used bis high Office
sEs1a