Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-05-12


If there is anything corrupt or has
been any rascality in connection with
the river mail service around Mem
phis, we say let it be exposcd-let no
guilty man escape. A commission
is here making careful Investigations,
but as this is done with closed doors
the public is not aware what discov-
cries, if any, have been made. That
there has been general system of star
route robbery over the country has
long been suspected and charged. The
damaging disclosures in regard to
Brady were brought out over a year
ago under an investigation made by a
democratic congress. Yet Hayes and
Key and Brady stood together and
defsd that democratic congress.
These plunderlnes were all carried on
under the Hayes administration.
In the winter Of 1879 so Congressman
Blackburn, Of Kentucky, brought
these star route frauds to the attention
of the house and had a resolution
passed directing an investigation by
the committee on appropriations.
General Garfield was the leading re.
publican member of that committee.
Congressman Blackburn took all the
testimony that first brought to light
the abuses existing, and made the
fight against Brady on the floor. In
March, 1880, Mr.. Blackburn made a
speech in the house on Brady defiant
attitude, in which, after quoting fig
ures to show how Brady had increased
the service on different routes, he
said
Wh V, sir, when this official (Brady)wss
on the 5 stand answering the questions put
TO him BY the committee he sta,ed, and it
is here in his sworn testimony, that he
knew he was outside of his authority; that
he knew he WAS running on basis OF 81,
100000 larger than the appropriations
would warrant. He thought and believed
that he had power enough at his back in
this house to carry through his illegal and
unwarranted schemes and TO sustain him,
whether the committee on appropriations
would do so or not. He boldly, de6antly
-ay, sir. insolently this subordinate
mudsill clerk of deparhaent-snaps his
fingers in the face of the American con-
gress and bids defiance to its power.
Under the Hayes administration it
was impossible to do anything. Post
master. General James has made a
good start, if he will only keep it up.
AS to anything crooked being discov-
cred about the Memphis postof6ce, or
any contractor in this section, that re-
mains to be seen. 1t has not come
OUT yet, although Washington specials
intimate that the service will lie re-
duced on some of our local packet
lines. These are weak enough at best
and are run in the interests Of Mem
phis trade. To drive them out OF
cripple them is a severe bloS to the
trade of the city and surrounding
country. A horse mail might be es-
tlblished that could reach all the
lndings and postolices supplied by
the local packets that is, when the
river is low; but these
horse lines would not carry
passengers or freight, or introduce
immigrants or do much toward de.
veloping the country. If no mail
lines were run in the United States
or between this and other countries
except those that are self-sustaining
there would have to be a general dis
continuance of the service, especially
in the thiuly settled portions Of the
south. 1t is unfortunate that the com,
merce of the Mississippi valley, which
Is struggling for life, should suffer OF
account OF the misdoings of Brady
Dorsey, Wilcox & Co., who will prob
ably escape punishment after all
Looking to the general welfare O
Memphis and tie people west of th'
river who trade here so largely b!
udxer, and having neither friends Il
l.. - al. =.