New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-23
TAMPERING WITH THE MAILS.

SCOTT LORD CHARGES THAT LETTERS HAVE BEEN
OPENED AND EFFORTS MADE TO PREVENT HIS
GETTING TESTIMONY.
An affidavit of Scott Lord presenting serious
charges against the Post Office Department. some one
connected with IT. read Tuesday, In the proceedings
IN the Vanderbilt VIII contest but was not fully re-
ported. The affidavit made to excuse the absence
of witnesses Mr.. Lord first stated his acquaintance
with Franklin A. Redburn, OF Jersey City, George A.
Mason Of Erie County, and william II. Clark Clark
express business calls him various parts Of Illinois
and Kansas. These all witnesses whom he desires
to examine Mr.. Lord then made some striking state
ments among which the following:
Each of said persons ia material and necessary wit
ness for the contestant in this VIM. II.
Clark came on from Kansas and remained here IN New
York or its vicinity during most OF the month OF Deem
was f0mpeedi to r RETURN 70 hans7 r1S sS
sSou r wrote that It would not be possible
for HIM to be here before March T. when
Clark has been mainly through Redburn. on March ..
Clark wrote to RedbrD, stating that or urgent reasons
he should be forced to remain in Chicago, NJ which
place he had arrived. In that letter he cosed one to
The deponent scott Lord and the contestant saving
account OF sickness Redburn brought that letter the
depouent on March saying he bad just received IT
tanning the had been opened of which fact before
leaving Jersey City he had satisfied he believed the
postmaster or other person in charge
Several days before this the deponent nj the request Of
Redburn, had written him letter under his office card
for purpose of seeing whether II would b. opened
Redburn received the letter from the dcponent nj or
about the time he received the letters from Clark. and
several DAYS after II should have been received, ana IL
also had been opened as Redburn alleged.
DepOnent further that disturbed by such niclli-
gcnce and believing that by proper care ana medical
attendance Clark could be procured to attend this court
ON Friday March - he requested RcdburI who Is well
acquainted with Clark 90 at to Chicago TO in
duce Clark 70 witness, directing Redhurn -
spare pains expense TO furnish Clark with the best
possible mode OF conveyance and. II be required IT, med
Teal attendance from Chicago to New-iork.
The affidavit states that when Redburn reached
Chicago he found that Clark had left the city before he
arrived there. The affidavit adds:
Dcponent further saws that Redburn Informed him
that az the same time he asccrtnincd that the
day before two gentlemen from New-York were
seeking Clark asking for q description OF his
him by sight and nothing of his business affairs. That
Rcdblrn. he informs depoDcn left Chicago to
take Clark and asccrained at Wyoming that Clark had
sequcnty found him and asccrtaned that he suffered
so from his disease that he lad 10 return to Chicago
and was utterly unable 10 travel.
Mr. Lord then states the instructions given 10 Mr..
Redburn and his correspondence with him. and con
tinues:
Deponcn. further says that nc believes that had the
letters of Clark written on March D. been received
due course Of m1 and had Rcdburn then started for
Chicago, he could have procured his attendance n
witness before this time and deponcnt believes that
period that deponcnt never has had any doubt and has
doubt OF the good faith OF sad Clark In prOmis
ing 10 attend as q witness.
Mr. Lord then states in his AFFIDAVIT the further
spondence between him and Redburn both by letter
and telegraph, which had led him to expect Mr. Cars
arrival previous Monday aud which still led him
10 believe that he would this lie also
plains the OF the Other witness George A. Ma
SON. expresses hope that he Will have all three
here next Tuesday at latest