The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-12
Key Needing InvestigatiOn.

In July last evidence was laid before u. VI.
KEY sufficient TO justify the belief that there
was gross extravaganza in the payments
the Post Onice Department was making for
mail service on the Miss sippi river and
certain streams in Arkansas. This service
was performed by one JoHS d. ADAMS, who
had obtained all but one Of the contracts
without competition. IL Is true that all Of
this service was strongly recommended by
the entire Congressional delegations and
supported 10y a great deal 81 other political
influence from three States but the respon-
hble officers of the Post Office Department
know very well that the men who make such
Recommendations are not held to an ac-
countablity for the expenditure Of the peo-
PIES money; that they sign recommended
tions for Increased mail facilities ior purely
local considerations.
The evidence placed in Mr. KEYS hands
more than xix months ago was taken from
the records of the Post Office Department
He pretended to be startled by it. lie adj
mittcd that he had ordered the contrnot- to
be- made, hut was ignorant Of the facts a.
hivuged in the evidence furnished him. He
appointed a special agent for the purIps
DI examining and reporting upon the routes
On which john ID. ADAMS was carrying the
mails. This officer made a series II reports,
months ago, confirming in every particular
the facts given TO the Postmastcr-Gcncra
In July last. Moreover, the special agent
reported that john d. ADAMS sublcL the SIX
routes ON which he Is paid $40, 200 by the
department for carrying the mails, and that
ON this soliciting he made n clear profit Of
$4,000 per year. Through influence sufficient
Ia control the Post Onlce Department. Mr..
ADAMS without n dollar Of capital invested,
makes $4,000 year.
But does he divide this profit with any
body? The de JdctO Postmaatcr-I General
has an intimate friend in Washington
Col. KELLAR. the editor Of the Memphis
Acdbmche, who is also the particular
friend Of John d. ADAMS When the
special agent made his first report on
ADAMs's routes Cob. KELLAR was allowed to
read It, He forthwith wrote and dictated
several protests, which he induced different
members of Congress from Tennessee, Mis-
Hissippi, and Arkansas TO sign and send to
the Postnaster-Genelal The commission
Of the special agent was made out in Septem-
Der, 1877, and ran till the first Of January,
1873 Although, rs the po-tmastcr-G, neral
has admitted over his own signature he
II man Of unquostionable integrity and
great experience and ability, his commission
was not renewed AT the beginning Of the
new year. In the mean time no action what
ever has been taken on his reports, which
prove, first, that the service performed by
ADAMS Is useless and, secondly, that if It
was necessary it Is paid Tor at rates out
i"geuusly cXtravagant.
Now, what was Col. KELLARs interest in
ADAMS We have no evidence that IL w;la
anything more than friendship, but we have
tl' evidence of two witnesses that he offered
10 pr"'ur" contract for another man for "A
hberal lee; that he proposed Tor IA large SUN
OF money To have II contract taken AWAY
from one line and given to another
These are matters which the Committee