Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-02
RIVER MAILS AGAIN.
Correspondence Between the
Chieftains.
The Controversy, squabble, OF ANY
thing You Please, About
Closed Out.

The correspondence below explains
itself, and is no more than was ex-
pected when the charges against Major
Adams were first promulgated. The
majors long connection with the bust
ness interests Of this community, and
his high standing among business men,
caused all to be 10th to believe there
could be any collusion or other i'm
proper, unlawful or irregular relations
between him and any one connected
with the mail service 1t will be seen
BY his card that he courts the fullest
and most careful investigation Of all
his actions, and also Of those associ-
ated with him in the carrying Of the
river mails, and as the depart
lnent at Washington is about to
send agents here for the purpose of
looking into and reporting upon the
details, it is unnecessary to comment
further upon the subject. Those who
know Major Adams best have felt sat
isfed that the complaints against him
we're frivolous and without fOunda-
ton. The recent squabble has thrown
considerable light upon the inside
workings of the mail service, and it is
possible that the proposed investiga-
tion will disclose the true inwardness
Of the petty jealousies, quarrels, bick-
erings and other improprieties exist
ing in postal circles, from which the
late controversy had its origin.
This mornings Avalanche CON
tanned the following:
At the request Of several friends of
Major Adams, the following CORES
pondence is published in the Ava
lanche. In regard to the request for
the production of formal charges, it
can only be said that a newspaper
does not proceed in these matters like
court marshal or court Of justice.
The columns of the Avalanche have
contained the facts, and comments
upon them so far as the investigation
has proceeded, and its columns are
open to Major Adams, or any other
person feeling injured, for such de-
fonse as they may desire to make
MEMPHIS, TENN, March 81.
| Mr.. +. S. Nichols-Sir: Your letter
Of this date, in answer 10 mine, is an
evasion of the facts in which | made
my demand for simple justice. | en-
close to you, marked, the articles from
| the Avalanche particularly complained
Of, and the words in thOseearticles in
which you couple my name with
fraud" and "collusiOn" to defraud
| the government with "nefarious prac-
tices" and the paraphernalia of cum
ming devices to cheat the government
that are found in the stage coach
star" are fosnd in the steamboat
"star" These questions aud words
| from the Avalanche of Wednesday
are supplemented by these from the
Avalanche of to-day, referring to the
Memphis and Vicksburg river mail
route: "It is already plain that the
commerce Of Memphis has been de.
frauded of postal service that is paid
for by the government. And this,
YOU say. is because it suits "the pur
, noses Of the big boss to do very little
service for a great deal Of money.
You distinctly in these articles charge
me with fraud" "collusion to de.
fraud ''nefari' us practices" and
4. "eunpjng devices to cheat the govern
2 ment" I8deny that you have any
, information that would or can justify
, YOU in thus attempting to brand me as
dishonest and dishonored, and insist
that the use of such terms are moi
4 within the exercise of your rights as
D journalist, but they are in contrayen
: tion Of such rights, and cannot bt
: defended. The articles are grossly
! persoaaI and grossly abusive and per
sonally offensive, are such as no maj
G can submit to ia honor in this or an!
other community, and | demand thu
. retraction of tham.
fJOHN. d, ADAMS.
9 MEMPHIS, April /.
Major John +. Adams Sir; | re
/ ceived late last night your second LET
!. ter of yesterdays date. have full,
disclaimed any personal reflection
unon You in connection with the mat