The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-11-15
POSTAL AGENTS PEKQUIsITEs.
How the Decrease in Detectives Per
Diem Affects tie Service.
TWachinOtOn Post

HOW INC DBCTedSe III DctcCtAfCS CO
Diem Affects tie Service.
Washington Post.l
The recent order of the postmaster
general cutting down the per diem
allowances of postoifice inspectors has
created quite flutter among those
officials and their friends. The imme-
diate cause of the order is said to have
been the discovery that Judge Amos
2. Foster, heretofore considered one of
the most efficient inspectors of the ser
vice, and whose transfer from Mis-
souri, to Texas was asked for some
years ago to assist in Kidding Texas OF
train robbers, had been sending IN
vouchers for his monthly pay, claim
ing So per diem for nearly every day,
representing himself to be travelling
upon some railroad, when he was
really at his office the greater part OF
each day.
Postmaster-General Gresham has
made the following order: cit ap-
pearing that Postoffice Inspector
Amos P. Foster has knowingly rem
dered to the department false and
| fraudulent accounts, and has thereby
succeeded in obtaining money to
which he was not entitled, he is there
fore dismissed from the service as
such inspector"
Persons familiar with the history of
this service say that although the
practice with which Mr.. Foster IS
charged is not common, it has been
| tolerated in some instances, while
other inspectors have been discharged
for rendering similar accounts. Two
at least. however, of the post
office inspectors removed Tor
oVercharging their accounts were
| Immediately thereafter appoint
ed to similar positions, with higher
salaries, under the department. OF JUS
tice, where they: have since done the
United States valuable service in de-
tecting irregularities in the accounts
| of United States marshalS and other
employees of the department of JUS
tice.
1t is intimated that if proceedings
are instituted against Judge Foster
to recover the money paid upon his
overcharges of per diem, an effort
will be made by his friends to have
the same treatment applied to all other
inspectors who have hitherto received
per diem allowance to which they
were not entitled.
The men affected by the order are
bitter in their denunciat1ons of the
new system, of which this is said to
be fair sample. why" said one in
spector to Post reporter, 'tall the
best men in the service will resign
under this cheese-paring policy just
as soon as they can make other N
nections. We are not angels by any
means, nor have we angels work tC
perform. In many q case l have had
it has been necessary for me to say tC
a man not in the service, Here is SIC
for you if you will stand here at al
odds and watch that door, stopping
any one who attempts to pass out.
Now, that kind of WoIk is not capa
BILE OF being represented in vouchers
BY the way, don't believe the de
partment will be the gamer, even il
the immediate expenditures Of con
tingencies, by this move"
How can it be a loser?'
1.-The same way the sea captain haC
his horse rides in his bills without his
principals discovering them, l guess.
1t seems from an order issued by
the postmaster-general yesterday, fix
ing the pay of all postoffice inspector!
at $1,000 year and that of L. Sey
bold, of San Francisco, and w. L
: Henderson, OF Washington, D. c., a
$500, that the attempt has beer
| made to satisfy the inspectors by in
creasing the salaries Of a few of then
, some two or three hundred dollars ;
year for cutting off their per diem
Whether this small concession vii
restore good feeling remains to b.
seen.