Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-17
STATE AUDITOR:
Roy L. Wardwen
Why the 5iuster Stopped.

A correspondent writes to the Jour.
Enal:
why did the administration so
lsuddenly drop its charges Of mis-
representation by Hughes after he
Tread the letter from Durand-there
fwere other statements made by him
land denied by the secretaries after the
ispcial Cabinet meeting?"
Our Democratic friends. after the
reading Of the Durand letter and the
ilaugh that went up all over the coun-
TRY, seem to have been suddenly at
flictsd with the fear that Mr.. Hughes
might take a notion to make public
the proof Of all his statments. But,
good lawyer that Mr.. Hughes is, he is
holding in reserve all the evidence he
does not need; if required it can be
promptly produced.
The New York World and some
other newspapers made the mistake
for day or two Of demanding "ex-
plantations" Of Mr.. Hughes concerning
some Of the other denials made by
the administration. particularly in the
ease Of DR.. o. H. Tittman, head of
ithe coast and geodetic survey. who
was displaced to make room for one
IL. L. Jones, observing Democrat"
The acting secretary of commerce
had Indignantly denied Mr.. Hughes
statement that Tittman had been re-
placed by IAN excellent stock breeder
and veterinary surgeon" The secre-
tary said Jones had never been
horse doctor, and the Democratic
press frantically demanded that Mr..
Hughes retract
For some reason Mr.. Hughes did
not retract, and for some reason
i(presumably the same). the press sud-
denly shut up. 1t had dawned upon
Democracy from the President down
that it would be better for them not
to drag out the proof of Mr.. Hughes
statements. Since then his asser-
tons are unchallenged. Do you lon
ger wonder why?
Without Mr.. Hughes showing his
hand some Of the newspapers have
brought out the case Of Mr.. Jones, the
new superintendent Of the coast and
geodetic survey. The Boston Tran
scrip says:
What is the truth about Jones?
Meaning E. Lester Jones. superinten-
dent Of the Coast and Geodetic Sur
vey. IL he plain Mr.. Jones-of course
with Hon." prefixed-or Is he DR..
Jones. meaning not doctor Of laws, Of
humanities, Of letters, Of philosophy.
Of theology, Of medicine, of pedagogy.
or any such thing. but doctor Of
veterinary medicine; to wit, purveyor
Of relief to ailing horses, cattle and
swine? That seems to be the para
mount issue in the present campaign;
from the Democratic point Of view.
II Jones is not proved to be plain
Mister" and acquitted Of the afro
cious charge of being a veterinary
surgeon. watchful waiting and strict
Accountability will be thrown into the
discard. and the new freedom will go
a-glimmering. "afay in de Ewigkeit."
Now these are facts OF record In the
case, given in chronological order Of
their recent publication.
First. Mr.. Hughes. speaking at De-
troit on Aug. 8, referred to Jones as
IAN excellent stock breeder and
veterinary surgeon" That was, pro.
fessionally. q very handsome testi-
monial and advertisement, for which
Mr.. Hughes made no charge, and for
which he did not even receive Jones's
thanks: though we can imagine that 1t
might be a decidedly useful quotation
to print on business letter heads.
Second. A little later on the same
day Mr.. Redfield, the Secretary OF
Commerce and the official superior Of
Jones. telegraphed to Mr.. Tumulty.
the Presidents secretary, that Mr..
Hughes was guilty Of false represen-
tations; and Mr.. Sweet, who was act
ing as Secretary of Commerce while
Mr.. Redfleid was on his vacation.