National Republican., 1883-09-12
PAUL vANDERvooRr's CASE.
Gem. Rosencrnns Comes TO His DofSnse
The Charges Reviewed.
To fhs Edlor

The Charges Reviewed.
To the Editor.
/ took olipning from your to-day's issue
of the article capitioned, "Psul Vandervoorts
Removal" and calling at the postofice de-
partment ascertained, in reference TO its
statements, the following facts in the case:
1. His absence from his post as chief olork
at Omaha, under James L. White division
chief oil tho railway postal service, stationed
at Chicago, was by "a verbal understanding
between Postmaster General Howe, W. b,
Thompson, superintendent of railway postal
service, and said Chief White, that Wander
WORT was TO bo allowed to hold bis clorkship
and have as much leave as aspossible to dis
charge his duties ~ commander in chief of
the Grand Army of tho Republic.
2. That during the inoumbency of Post
master General Howe his absences were well
known to all said officials, Division Chief
White calling Superintendent Thompsonls at
tenti0n to the same, aud the latter making
it u duty" 10 advise the postmaster general
thereof, who, by giving no orders, assumed,
MIR. 4. considers, the responsibility OF "toler-
ating those absences.
3. On the accession Of Judge Gresham VAN
dnryoorts application for n leave of absence
of thirty days, with allowance of his pay dur
ing that time, for the purpose OF going to the
Pacific coast came before him, and on tho
twelfth ofhpriltho new postmastergenera de-
oided that while sympathizing with tho
work Gen. Nandorvo0rt was doing, he could
not allow him to receive his olerlSship pay.
d. Con Nandervoort, apparently ynotdoubting
thut he would be allowed TO 20 to tho Poetic
coast, aud hoping his pay would be allowed
during his absence, loft on his trip before re-
ceiving a reply to his application. Informa-
tion of tho postmaster generals decision not
to grant him pay during his absence was sent
~ I'm N rafu 0f ia
leave was mentioned.
5. Nandcrvoort wrote, May 25, asking the
postmaster general to rescind his order to
withhold pay, and, June 1, w. b. Thompson
replied that having brought the matter be-
fore tho postmaster general, he decided that
while symrnthizing with the cause and
object OF his visit, as general in chief of the
Grand Army of the Republic of the Pacific
coast, he could not think it would be right to
allow him pay during his absence, but leaves
the plainest Inference that the department
did allow his being absent without pay. This
implied permission to be absent is horne out
by tho letters in tho case from w. b. Thomp-
son, superintendent.
g. There appears to bo no doubt but that
all the absences of Paul Vandervoort while
commander in chief OF the Grand Army of
the Republic were with the express or plainly
! implied consent of tho postmaster general
and his immediate superiors, Superintendent
| w. B. Thompson and James e. White, division
chief and that whilo the latter mentioned
these absences incidentally to the business
at Omaha in official correspondence, and w.
b. Thompson says he took care to tell the
postmaster general, the latter made him 10
replies.
Z. These facts are further confirmed by
Chief Whites writing that he had talked ovei
the needs of the service at Omaha, and Gen
Vandcrvoort had promised to return there tc
lptr o,rx.f .fn,.N H..
meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic
was over.
| g. That he did not 60 to Omaha, as that
promise, if made, would have demanded, but,
without asking permission, went to Soda
Springs, in Idaho, where he claimed to be
attending to some public railway mail bust
moss, rs to the utility of which his views
and those of his superors appear to differ.
o. That while commander in chief of the
! Grand Army of tho Republic Gen. Wander.
voort's personal daily reports" had been
| signed by him in blank, to he filled out and
forwarded by the clerk he left in charge o.
his business as chief clerk, and had been re-
ceived by his proper ,superiors, knowing nj
about his absence and tho understanding
on which it was permitted, without notify
ing Gen. v. of any objection thereto by his
superior, and continued to so DO sent while
| Gen. " was absent at Soda Springs aftor hi:
official term hadexpircd
This Is all there is of his making a false
report. Under the knowledge Of his superors
while technically chief clerk at Omaha, and
having his reports sent as they had been the
whole 2G5 days preceding, he was not actually
! present at that place. That is all there is Of
bis falsely reporting" Hence it appear:
Gen. Vandervoort's not reporting for orders
after the close of his commandership, but go
ing to Soda Springs, Idaho, to attend to rail
way postal business without orders, and beinl
a.headstrong subordinate, are the substance o
what there is against him at the postofiice de
partment. w. S. RosEcRANs, q. A. II.