New-York tribune., 1876-12-22
MR. HEwTr1vs VIOLATED MAIL.
POSTMASTER JAMES PLEASED WITH THE rKosPEC
OF An EARLY INVESTIGATION.

POSTMASTER JAMES PLEASED WITH THE PROSPECT
OF AN EARLY INVESTIGATION.
No new developments were made at the
NeWYork POstO1ce yesterday in regard TO Mr. Hewitts
alleged opened letters and eew was discovered III
doang criminaty the part Of any of the clerks or
carriers. The messenger from the Democratic head
quarters in Liberty-st in consultation with Post
master during the day aud stated that the man
received there had been all right, except perhaps oeca
sionaI the country about which there had
been some complaint 1t vas learned that letters ad
dressed 60 Mr. Hewitt in this city sent TO four
different places Those sent to hts address AT NO Bur
hng-siip we're placed Peter Coopers Post~Odce box
those directed TO his rcGdtnce at No. LeKngtOnavc
were delivered there by carriers from Station f. and
those directed to the Democratic headquarters ut the
Everett House sent out by carriers from Station d.
The only inference to be drawn from Mr.. Hewits sccu
sation the Post Office officials said, that there was
conspiracy in which nearly half Of the employees OF the
ooe must have been engaged to get Mr. Hewitts let
ters OF the probability possibility of such thing the
public could judge.
In answer TO his telegram OF Wednesday evening de-
mabdng an immediate investigation Mr.. James received
the following dispatch frorn Mr. Hewitt
Your telegram is eydently based upon an erroneous
report OF my remarks Sec Record ] believe that my
letters have been opened but never suspected that You
would tolerate such an abuse.
Mr. james sent the following reply:
Your telegf received for which you have my thanks
n,ttSd IN ths Office. AS there can be nothing more
sacred than the involabty OF the mails beg that you
will az once submit all facts and evidences 20 the Post
master General or 20 q committee Of the House, and de-
Inand prompt and thorough investigation
On receiving the news Of the action Of Congress In
ferrBg the charges Of Mr. Hewitt TO the Election nyes
tigasng Committee, now sitting here, Mr. James ex-
pressed his satisfaction the prospect Of early
animation He said thai he should give the COMMITTEES
all the aid in bis power 10 make the examination thor
Ough and searching He did not care 80 much about this
matter because 1t would affect bis own reputation but
he did feel keeny the stigma resting upon the clerks In
the Office, whose only capital was their good character
II there was black sheep" among them the men
yoId unite in driving him out But he did not believe
there wss Mr Gayier superintendent OF city nshyery,
Sad that he was anxiOGs 90 tho handwriting OF tho
Anonymous letter which Mr. Hewitt based his charge
a said that Il was infreduent that an employe OF
the Office who had been discharged for nis demean0r
had written letters making serons charges against some
al the Postlce officials. In one instance Postmaster
James and himself had been accused OF keeping the sums
accrang from HRes imposed upon clerks, whereas no
fnes had ever been imposed the penaty Tor mlsde
meanors neglect OF duty being punished oy redac
tiOn cf salary with tho payment OF when only the De-
paFtlnen At Washington had 10 do The writer OF the
letter this occasion was detecteo ana proved 70 DC
discharged clerk, who took this means of revenge.