Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-29
ALEXANDRIA,:
TUESDAY MORNING, JULY 90. 1884.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

The deposition which follows is taken from
the documents accompanying the Report fthe
Post Office Committee. These matters cannot
be brought before the public too often the infa-
nous corruptions developed in that Department
the condemnation of Mr.. Barry by the mani
nous vote of the Senate-the fact that General
Jackson still retains him in office in spite Of his
delinquencies-and the disposition manifested
TO sustain both Jackson and Barry in this po-
stion-are the most alarming signs Of national
degradation that We have yet seen.
Deposition Of .Hr. Isaac Tompkins.-" Had Won
any conversation with any contractor TOUCHING
the embarTasSments of the Postmaster General
and did you hear proposition or plan by any
one to relieve him? If any, state the name and
residence of the person, and the proposition"
In the fall of, think, 1880, | had converse
ton with Mr.. E. Porter touching the embarraSs-
ments of the Post Master General. He proposed
that loan of about 5000 dollars should be made
to Mr.. Barry; that Mr.. BPS. salary would enable
him to refund it before many months. Mr.. F.
expressly stated that he acted without the know
ledge OF Mr.. Barry. His plan was that few of
the principal contractors should make out this
amount, and put it in some persons hands to
loan to MIR. B. who should always remain ignu.
rant of the source from whence il came Mr.
Porter resided at that time in Richmond, VrgI
MIA.
"Doy you know Of any gift or gratuity made By
any contractor to any person in the Depart
ment, and if any. what, and to whom?"
have no knowledge of any gift or gratuity
being made to any officer or member of the De
partment, except on one occasion. Colonel
Avery (my partner) and myself were in New
York, and in consideration of the politeness and
attention of Parson Brown, who had spent
q great deal Of time ont Of Office hours to ac-
commodate US and expedite our business. We
concluded to send him a quarter cask of wine,
Weaccordingly purchased one, directed tito him,
and sent it on board vessel | never heard
whether it reached him or not-presume it did.
ISAAC ToMPKINs.
In further reply to the first question, | hayeto
state that ] do not know whether Mr.. Porers
plan for the relief Of Major Barry was carried
into effect or not told Mr.. P. that it would
afford me pleasure 10 contribute to his plan iQr
the relief of Major Barry, but the situation of
my funGs were such that could not advance
cash az that time; but in the course Of ninety
days thought could loan him the amount he
desired, $500. A day or two subsequent IL
this conversation he called on me, and made
draft in his favor for $500 on Messrs. J. 7.
Thorn & Co. Of New York, at ninety days or
Whereabouts. This draft understood he had
discounted at the Patriotic Bank. What he did
with the avails am not able to say: he acknow
edged himself indebted to the amount $500 dol
lars,) and has since sent me word by my partner
Col. Avery, that he is not unmindful that he ow-
ed that amount. and that it should be paid be-
fore long. The only entry have Of said drafts
contained in small memorandum book, which
is in the following words" Made drafts on
Storm, L. Porter, due LIST April; 500 dollars"
The club Of Mail contractors making up a So
cret purse for the Post Master Generals benefit,
and the presents to Mr.. Brown are facts which
require no comment.