, 1873-09-08
ST. LOUIS,

ST. LOUIS.
Brlcf Biography, Political and Social,
of a Fallen Pustmnstcr--EViIs OF tho
Assossment Policy.
Special Dispatch to Tbs Chicago tribune.
ST. Louis, Sept. Tot all the Federal ap-
pointmonts In tho West during Grants present
term, mono gave more Hhlsfaotion at tho ouaot
than TINT Of Chauucey Filley, Postmastor at st.
Louis. He had been an active, accomplished,
and prominent business man. He Ind held tho
office Of Mayor Of st. Louis, and several othor
political positions. Although in the feud be-
tweon the two Republican papers horo ho VIVA
said to be tho appointee Of the Democrat, neither
Mckee, nor any friend Of tho Globe, made any
opposition to him whatevor. His appointment
was the only one that was promised or pledged
before tho election. He wont to Long
Branch, aud had personal interview with
tie President, and, according to his own story,
the President sent him list OF seven or eight
offices, from which ho might select tho ono TINT
boBt pleased him. He took tho st. Louis Post
Office, bocause 1t was tue best position that did
net involve bis removal from tho city and State.
Inauguration, and ho commenced IN good earnest
Post-ohlce Of St. Louis Ind been
lady badly, managed for years. and tho i'm
at the hoad Of tho establishment was conceded
BY all. A few weeks ago Mr. Filley discovered
tnat II wao noooo.arJ 10 ine!1aso tle na1npor OF
city carriers. 10 visited Washington and
obtained the consent Of the Department.. Re-
turning to st. Louis he gave himself up to the
selection OF eligible persons from an infiuito
number Of applicants. Before ho had made all
his appointments ho gave to tho newspapers for
25th Of April until tie 9Th Of last month,
It appeared BY his special request, and copies
were sent 10 his OVID handwriting 10 all tho daily
papors on Manifold paper:
afr. c. j. FXl'ey, Postmaster:
DEAR SIR, take the liberty to write fow lines
once more IN case of my petition. Tho reason I
Wa to givo NY children good edacae,on. hopo to
which offered il ny petition, 6ut aattor mysoli 70
son s:f to Pa' se tssrss ss day hd ss 4 @
sam Oh he ut dsy Of My, ls7i payabe 70 your ordar
ana 70 on ~ long a. ~. 9ASpoyed IN your ohee
would be thankful As long as livs.n not, I'm
1remain most respectfully, your obod,ent servant,
On Ninth street, between oTallon and oass ave-
nnsa. Please answer, when shall call Oh you, you
Thereby hangs very long tale. It now appeara
that. at the very time ho received this letter.
lie WAS doing e1acty what this man offered to
do. According to well authenticated reports, ns
goen as man n M SppoF9e Fo1 he e @ sh
to put in force at my time: It leaked out
about q week ago that hIr. Filley
had pressed the assesament system upon the
clerkn In his employ with unvarying regularity,
and that hiB first order was for au assessment,
dating back five months, or to the commence
mont Of his administration, which began early in
April, and Included some persons WHO had not
been in the office more than two months. Ono
case is spoken Of wherein the assessment
amounted to more than had boon earned by the
omployo at tue time tile paymont WAS demanded,
action, M Mr. Flloy to}d Rim ho could rot T 7sry w
the rule, but he would assess him all
one-ha1f to date, to be paid in future Install
ments. It is an undoubtod fact that tho asseas-
ment has been loviod and collected from every
clork in tho employ of the Post Ofioe but two or
p1acoB. Two papers wore handed to caeh omployo
at tho same timo. Ono was blank reaigna-
tton, and the other WAS an order Oh the
cashier for an amount, equal to per
cent Of tho individuals salary, dating back five
months: The omployo lad to sign. ono or ho
This matter has excited 80 much criticism and
talk IN the city that several persons interviewed
Mr: Filley to find possible explanation: ue
says that when s Gen. Grant was 1 hoTe e IN Apr M
last he entertained him at an exponHo OF
5000 at his house, and that tue s per cent
fund is intended to, dotray tho, expense
Of this and other entertainments he might
give to public individuals In the city. He
also says that it cost him more than $500 to
60 East q few weeks ago for tho purpose Of get
ting an INCREASE OF carriers for tho CITY, and that
le cannot afford to pay 30 much money cut OF
salary Of - 900 year. Gomo OF his friends
have attempted to explain the matter OIL political
grounds, and h1a principal baokor, Mr, Fish
back, Of tho Democrat, says that be WIS advised
to this. course by senator Morton, and
that tho object OF the assessment
was to raise money tor tue Ohio
campaign. This is looked upon as very
thin o1ouso, and the more tho subject Is looked
into the moro apparent 1t becomes that tho as-
sosamont was for personal, and not for political,
purposes, al there IL no campaign going on west
Of Ohio. and as Ohio Is supposed to bo very
vol ablo to dofray her own election exponaos.
Another story IL, TINT tho assessment WAS
lowed by order Of p0Hmasier~Go General OroHweil,
with q Wow to agBiHting Geuoral Grnnt to il
third term. but 1t receives no orodouce
in political circles of any kind hero.
Tho matter is creating tntonBo excitement IN
political and buBluoss circles In st. Louia. and
tho probabilities arc that strong presentation
will be made to Gen. urant, with q request that
Mr, Filley 10 immediately removed. It IL as
serted on tho contrary, tllat Mr.. Filley IL warm
personal friend Of tho President, md has coll
tribntod his share Of gifts III former days to the
Executive. lie ia now III Htraitencd olrouIn-
l..