Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-27
The Ohio Star Service.
THE CASE OF CONTRACTOR BOONE.
WASHINGTON. ID. C.. ADf1i 2l i

WASHINGTON, u. G., April q, 1881.
Editor Star: In your issue of yesterday. you
publish en- extract from the Cincinnati CJns-
nercfdl, seriously rejecting upon me person
ally. and which, uncontradicted and unez-
pla1ned, would result greatly to the detriment
OF my business VIII YOU be kind enough to
insert this communication, with accompanies
refutat1ons? Its correctly stated in the extract
aid, for ss49, instead OF $780, and that upon
bis failure to carry said route it was awarded
to the undersigned for Sl,94O.
1t Is uDtruthfuily stated in said extract that
Foster bid 81 800 on said route, as his name does
not appear On the records OF the Post ONE
department, and therefore could have had no
relation with the department that demanded
1t will appear by official letter hereto at
tached that the sum OF 81, ,04S 1900 difference
between the letting to Mcdonald and myself
was paid by Mcdonald to the Post ONCE de-
the transaction was by Mcdonald. The amount
charged was only reasonable compensation
!or the service. and every statement and in-
ful injustice both to the department. and NY
self.
Route 21 COS, referred to in said extract, was
Ohio, at $4,000 per annum from July 1s, 1sso,
TO June 30. 1881. to carry mail between Zanes-
vile and Marietta, 12 times week between
Zanesyillle and McConnelsville and tlme3 a
week petwen McConnelsville and Marietta; said
mails to be carried in safe and suitable stearn-
boats. The record OF the department VIII show
that there are three frst class steamboats, now
ment employs two mail messengers on
the route to assoru and dispatch the mail
The change was made to make delige-
~ more expeditions and certain. was
the best men of the localities Interested and
endorsed by Gen. Warner and G. Atherton,
Representatives In Congress from the two dis.
tT1cts interested. both gentlemen of undoubted
integrity and both Of whom, doubtless under
stood its necessity then, and, I understand
endorse the action of the department In regard
to it without qualification now.
Heretofore 1t required three days for the trans
mission or the mall over the entire route. In
der this contract the mall Is delivered In sixteen
to eighteen hours. McConnellsville Is without
county, and necessarily the most important
business point in the county. The charges and
inferences IN regard to this route are as un-
founded and uDjustlflable as TO the other route
In the commercial extract.
Allow me TO say. in conclusion, that it Is my
purpose TO pursue only legitimate courses In my
that believe any fair man, upon an investiga-
ton OF my business relations with the govern
ment, will concede that the mail service Is eccn-
omi5ed on by 1t, and that better service is secured
The fact that we have large number of
contracts has made me an object of attack by
those who, If they understood my business
advertisements OF the Post Office department
and get only those contracts upon which We
are the lowest bidders. as the records of the
department., which are open TO investigation,
will show: and refer those who desire to do
me justice and the company OF which am the
general manager, to the list of routes In Ira
velers' Official Railway Guide, as means by
which an Investigation OF all our business can
pe easily secured, as that contains at each pub
loaton the business controlled by us up to
GATE OF publication. A. E. BOONE.
OFFICB OF THE AUDITOR OF THE TREASURY,
FoR THE POST OfFICH DEPAKTAENT,
WASHINGTON, April 81, 1881
SIR: IN reply to your inquiry OF this date you
are informed that the records OF this ONCE show
tna1 contract for mail service on route 81, 1862
Athens to Mtddieport, Ohio, was made with
Zimn Mcdonald at $949 per annum Tor the
term from July l, 1876. to June 80, 1880.
BY an order OF the Postmaster General, dated
June 4, 1879, Mcdonald was declared failing
contractor, and new contract ordered to be
made with yourself from June 10, 1879, to June
80, 1880, at 81 $40 per annum.
The damage sustained by failure OF McDon-
aid was 81 .04s.17, being the difference between
the pay under the two contracts from June 10
1879, to June 30, 1880, which amount was paid
by Nj. Mcdonald In liquidation Of all damages
sustained by the Post ONCE department ny
reason OF his failure
Very respectfully.
j. NJ. MCGRRw, Auditor
A. E. Boone, ESQ.,, Washington, D, C.