New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-13
WASHINGTON.
> POSTAL CONTRACT CONSPIRACY.

THE POSTAL CONTRACT CONSPIRACY.
OTHERS IMPLICATED BESIDES MARSHAL BINDS
CONTRACTOR KETTLE AND THE CIERKs-EPPosTs
OF cARPET-sAG CoNGRrssxAs TO BREAK
DOWN AN HONEST OFFICIAL WHO STOOD IN THR
WAY OF THE PLUNDERERs.
WASHINGTON, April ia fuller inves-
tigaton Of the postal contract conspiracy has led 70
Che discovery that others besides United States Marshal
Hnds the mail contractor Kettle, and the Department
clerks, were engaged tn IT, After Second Assistant POST
Routt appointed to be Governor OF
French acted in his place until the adjournment Of CON
gress, when Mr.. Tyner succeeded 20 the once. Mr.
French has hid much experience in dealing with mail
contractors and Of the most considerations and
efficient officers the Department and the eonsprators.
finding him in their way, attempted to destroy him.
The method adopted was to accuse him OF Irregular and
dishonest practices in connection with the dmties Of hs
Office Kettle. the contractor accompanied by on eT-
member Of Congress OF the carpebag persasion called
upon the correspondents Of several prominent journals,
and after extracting pledge Of secrecy the source
OF any information they might give said that they could
prove that Mr.. French was levying blackmai upon
those who bid for contracts His modus opora'sd!, ac-
according to these conspratJrs TO require those
who desired contracts insure their lives with com
pany Of which he agent and they asserted that no
could contract who did not so insure They
also said that nr. French in the habit OF giving
private information 10 avOre contractors IN regard I'd
bids Of Others enable them bid shade lower
than any else and. finally, that be allowed persons
not connected with the Office to take the bids for con-
tracts from the Department after they we're opened and
before tho contracts awarded
The two consprators named begged the correspondents
TO telegraph these TO their Journals but IN
nearly every case II not IN all, they refused to do this
until they had had opportunity 10 make nvestiga
ton. subsequently, nothing the subject ap-
arp1 i'm txnr
Row. and repeated their accusations giving reason
why they should be pubhed that honest contractor
had fair show" since Mr. French always arranged
the bids to the award Of all important contracts,
especially in the Southwest, 10 favortes OF the ONCE.
They said that while Mr.. ROutt Second Assistant
General the ring" had been much hampered
by hs watchfulness but that since his promotion tho
power OF the Ring had been supreme, IL wond con-
since Mr. Tyners nexperfeDce IN the ofbce
would prevent him from discovering what II about
Still later the ex-member OF Congress referred 10 very
broadly limited TO sponden whom he wac urging
10 print Of his accusations against Mr. French that
he might derive some pecuniary benefit from making
this exposure The OF course settled the natter tho
carpctbagger informed that IL would be useIess for
him 10 say anything the subject aud De went
away apparently much surprised that Newspaper cor
respondent could not be purchased a. cheapy ss an
average carpetbag Congressman.
Finally the cOnspiratOrs caused their accusations
against Mr.. French TO be printed in the form OF al
anonymous circular copies Of which were placed on the
desk OF each Representative, and distributed In the re-
porters gallery. The circular attracted attention
At this time, while Kettle and his coconspiratcI's
striving scandal that should result IN the!
removal Of Mr.. French, lao have had his
pcions aroused and putting on foot inquiries whi'
finally resulted in the discovery Of the whole plot The
ex name is we'll known 10 many persons
Washington hut has not yet been made public IN con-
nection with this fraud.