, 1873-09-06

HE Post-Officc Assessment Scandals
The Bridge InycStigntio,l.
Special Dispatch to Tic Chicago Tribune.
br. LOUIS, Sept. 6.-Some days ago Postmaste,
| Fllley made an assossment Of per cent On the
salarics Of his clerks for personal and political
purposes. Tho fact soon camo to tho public
notice, and much indignation was expressed,
both on the street and in the papers, Most OF
the newspapers aro loud In thoir disapproyal.
Filley being tho Democrats appointec, the Globe
III especially bitter. Whom the Postmaster was
first approached by tho reporters, he stood
severely On his dignity, but at length conde-
seconded to say that certain trip to Washington
vas In the interoat Of his clerks, and ho thoaght
they ought to help pay his expenses, Tile
clorks at first complained, but having the alter
nativo Of paying or being discharged they finally
paid up: Still fearing for thoir places, they nut
IN circulation tho following paper, which ia b.
Ing extensively signed:
%e. tho underaiguod, clerks In tho st. Louis Post
once aiRned tue assessment Of per cent against us
without M fear TT OF consequence OF discharge mi
has observed IN vcw OF tic comment made by newy.
papers and citizena in regard to such assessment.
Tho paper has only excited now ridioulo and
stimulated ncw dlatribes on Elley, who is rop-
resonted aB not only compelling his emp]oyos to
cot dirt, but making them say that they banker
after it.
Tho session Of the Bridge Commission th;s
morning was largely attended, by prominent cti-
zons. Capt, p. B: pegram testified that the
bridge would be an obstruction at any Btage Of
tue water. He thought 1t would bo safer to
have the piers LOO feet in height than to have
archcs Of any kind. High chilnneya were osaon-
ta1 to tho safety Of tho boats, and could not VOL
be lowered in passing tile bridge on account Of
tho expense.
Capt. John s. McCune stated that stoamboat-
men would be satisfied only with bridge of 500
feet span and IS feet above low-water mark,
nesidos, it should have been built above OF be-
low tho city. The rlver-men were badly misjod
by tho Company's plans first published, which
Wero not aftcrward strictly adhered to. They
wero led to believe that tic arches would bo
sprung from point 80 foot above high-water
mark, and that tho largest boatH would conso-
9uentiy be ablo to pass unlor any portion OF
tue archos. Capt. MoCune submitted q paper
aligned by many Captains Of atoamboats, setting
forth that tho bridge ia serious obstruction to
navigation, and that pilot-houHos and ohimnoys
cannot 6o constructed In euoh mannor as to 30
lowered.
The question WAS anked whether canal 100
feot wide ontBde the ablltmonta On either side
would moot the views of the river men, and tho
general opinion seemed to bo that 1t would.
This concluded the testimony OF tho
introduced Capt. Bart ALlo and Capt. George
". Ford, who toHtifed that tic br]eo
was not an obstruction to navigation, Thoy
noxt offorcl paper In evidence Signed by sew
oral rlvor men,, who did not think Tint tho bridge
interfored with navigation. The Commission
declined to receive It, bocauHe they wero setting
as experts and not ~ a court. upon which tho
Company roftaed to offer further teBtimony,
0ol: Henry Fiad. tls Chief Engineer, was tlen
examined by tho Commission I1> private aeBH1nn.
Tho Board will visit the bridge to-day aud make
a personal examination.