The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-24
PRICE TWO CENTS
THE POST OFFICE FRAUDS.
TIE PROOFS That cor. M,KIBDEH
Presented IN 1879.
How he was Cbokcd on bv the Republics
Investigating Committee -Th. Illinois Gan.
non Encctually Spiked-More Bincktuaii.

How he was Cbokcd on bv the Republics
Investigating Committee TIL. Illinois Ca..
non Encctually Spiked-More Biackruati.
WASHINGTON. March 23.--The HOUSE
Committee on Post Oflces and Post Roads To-
day examined Col. Joseph G. McKibben OF Phiis-
delrhia. lie testified that he knew nothing
whatever about the expenditure said to havs
been made by Mr.. Bradley Barlow to inluenos
the report OF tho House Committee In the yeas
1872. lie was then trying to act as the proseou-
tor OF that investigation, and he wrote tho mt
nority report which was adopted and signed By
the Democratic members OF that COMMITTEES.
Subsequently he was retained az counsel by Mr.,
Barlow and acted as his attorney for severd
years. lie had among other things been nctivs
In defeating certain proposed amendments "
tho postal law, which contemplated conferrins
extraordinary and dangerous powers upon tho
department. aud which also were against ths
Interests OF his client. He had received only
t2OcO from Mr.. Barlow for disbursement In con.
necuOn with tho threatened Investigation of
1874, an had paid out every dollar Of II fol
legitimate purposes, such az stenographers fees.
Col. McKibben said no thought very little new
legislation was needed to correct straw bidding
abuses, and In reply to question put TO him
bv Mr.. Luttrell expressed his opinion that many
frauds were committed by the bidders aud "....-
tractors under Gen. Cres""lrs ...hstratioa
wh'HH ~. AVE Ucen remedied or prevented
10y the Department. He should not be under
stood ~ saying that Mr.. Creswell was accom-
plics In their porpetratiOn. The question and
answer were both ruled out by direction Of the
committee, as relating only to matters OF
opiu.On.
The witness then. in response to a series OF
Inquiries, gave an account II the charges against
the Post Ohico administration, whioh he
presented to tho investigating committee IN
1872. The committee hi d agreed TO allow him
To conduct the examination. but resclnded this
privilege when GILES A. smith began to be
doubled up on sundry points. he Uhe witncssl
was then rather the prosecuted than the prose-
cnIor; cHtor., lLaughterl Al the material facts
iious witnesses, but certain other parties--
whose names he gave to Mr.. Van Trump, .
not examined. The witness was not certnin
whether or not Van Trump asked the commit
| tee To summon them. The parties were John
| Altman and Je.se ID. Carr Their testimony
would have been only cumulative as to the ras-
caly transactions OF the contractors undes
Creswell. The records examined by the oom-
inittto had SHOWN In regard to the routs
| from 0rovne, Col, 10 i9riland,, Oregon
| that 1t has been frauducn'ly let TO Altman aud
| illegally b. Barlow; but behind all that record,
| it coul ID have been ascertalncd from Altman and
| Carr how II was that the Government paid
| S3lOO more th 10 should have paid for SER
| Vices on this route during a few months. Alman
could have testified that he was paid by certain
| y rt'es slhUO per month not to bond ON his bio
| and execute his contract the service being
ne nwhic performed by Carr under a tempo
| rar' contract from the Government at the rate
Cot. Mckiuben said he believed these to be
| Facts. 3 they were told him by credible author
| lty. Mr. SALISBURY WAS one OF his informants.
| lie was told by salisbury that Altman got his
contract through senator NyO's influence.
| MIR. Cannon, member Of the committee, who
was cross examining the witness, intimatod
| that Mir. Nyes name was "lugged Ia " and thaa
the witness was stopping over"
| Col MckiDben resented this with severity,
| saving he would not suffer such language, and II
| Mr. Cannon could not put his interrogatories In
| a different form they would not bo answered.
| The other members Of the committee sustained
opinion tnst tho to on Nye 6sd Seen
| brought out by Mr.. CanDOn's own questions.