New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-25

rp.w1NG PAY AND DOING no W0RK-AssUMED
NANEs SIGNED TO THE PAY RoLLs-How THE
DISCOVERY WAS MADE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRBUNRl
WASHINGTON, Dec 24.-The Patent Office juss
COW IL in great state of excitement. According to
urrept report there recently discovered on the
roIls of that bureau the names of number of per-
sous mostly women, paid from the contingent fund,
who either performed no service or drew their sal
sry under assumed names. 1t is customary day or
two before the annual holidays to pay the clerks in
The departments at Washington their full salary for
December, and last Thursday, when the employees of
the Patent Office IN the drafting and other divisions,
whose salaries are provided for in the contingent
fund were called upon to sign the vouchers for their
months paw they were directed to report to the dis
bursting officer of the department. instead of to the
appointment clerk of the Patent Office, from whom
they had been accustomed to receive their salary,
aud here all were required to sign their real names
TO the pay roll and to add their address IN this CITY,
It is reported that after this had been done the
discovery was made that between 20 and 80 persons
whose names were on the roll had not appeared to
demand their pay. These were the persons VINO
either drew their pay under assumed names or, II
their real names appeared performed no service.
The result of this discovery very naturally caused
great excitement in the Office, and Commissioner
Duell was called upon to give an explanation 1t is
understood that he disclalmed all knowledge In re-
card 10 the matter and held bis appointment clerk,
Mr. J. R. Nottingham, responsible for it. Noting
ham has been dismissed from the department, but it
Is believed that the investigation will not stop here
There Isl current report the street tonight that
no work has for long time been assigned to any
one paid from the contingent fund without a writ
ten order from the Commissioner of Patents, and
that his orders in all still in existence. In
some cases il is understood that the Work has been
piyen to persons known to be incompetent to per-
form it. with the understanding that they should
"farm il out at reduced prices to Others able to do
H. but unable to obtain an appointment in the de-
partment. single instance is given in which $50
amouth has been paid to a draughtswoman who
sublet the work for $50 month. Secretary Chaud-
Ter will probably push the investigation until ne
obtains the bottom facts, and will take whatever
action is necessary in the premises. One possible
result that Is spoken of is the early resignation OF
the Commissioner of Patents.
When Secretary Chandler was appointed, his selcc-
ton was not considered triumph of the principles
of civil service REFORM but his administration of the
Interior Department is admitted, even by bis enc
mics to have been almost beyond criticism. Among
his earliest acts in his present position was the
cleaning out of several corrupt nests, and gen.
eral reorganization of those bureaus which
had gained an unenviable reputation
for iobbery and corruption during Secretary Deanos
time. The policy thus adopted of managing the
department to greater extent at least than had
been customary for years business principles, has
been followed up and as far as is known, no case OF
official corruption has been brought to the Secre-
tarys notice without being thoroughly investigated;
and if reform has been necessary, he has been
relentless in his application of the pruning knife.