The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-28

superintendent OF a DIVISION OF the u, u, u d
/. railroad fora pass to Cleveland, o. Mr. Blee
said he would be glad to furnish me the pass
whenever | wanted it, and asked TO call at
his office for it. Two weeks thereafter called
for pass, and was informed by him that Mr..
French had instructed him to issue no passes to
employees or their friends unless requested to do
so by him. Mr.. Blee asked me to write to Mr.
French for said pass. Though l knew it to be
none of Frenchs business, wrote to him, and
he refused. In view of the fact that | know,
over his own signature now in my possession,
that he has procured annual passes and made
tender of them to the heads of the Postoffice De-
partment at Washington city, this is an interfer-
ence most understandable
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE.
Testimony for the defense was then taken up,
the first witness called being R. H. Wilson, gen
eral superintendent of the l., B. G. W. railroad
Mr.. Wilson testified that H. S. Ray, baggage
man, had been discharged fifteen or eighteen
days ago for disobeying the rules of the com
pany, for using profanity and indecent language
at depots in the presence of passengers, and that
Mr.. French had nothing to do with Rays dis
charge.
John P. Black, of this city, made a slight and
immaterial correction of a former statement.
John Torrance testified. Have lived in Ind-
annapolis nearly seven years; have been in mail
service twenty years; clerk in charge of a
on the P. & St. L., from indianapolis to
Pittsburg Was not on duty at the time men
toned in Mr.. Rutledge's statement, but four
days later. Gave him no unworked letters
signed me to work. May have given him I'M
worked papers. Couldn't tell now whether he
could have worked it or not or gone into st.
Louis stuck. Remember two weghings. There
nothing irregular either occasion. Some
for convenience of weighers, but the weights
always deducted Never knew of any
thing being carried for the purpose of making
weight. Have known Mr.. French for about ten
years. Have seen him often, as for a long time
ran into Cincinnati. If he has required more
of the clerks than is right and proper it has not
come to MY knowledge. Mr.. French has no dis
erection in the matter of failure TO register As
understand, it is a matter of law and regulation.
Think him an efficient, honest servant of the
public. So far as my knowledge goes his treat
nent of those under him is frstrate
On discrimination: Am on day run. Have
been for five and half years. Have night rest
at Pittsburg, from 1902 P. NJ. to 7:45 A. M, aud
lay-off of three days and three nights here 1t
is only with the consent of the chief head clerk
or Mr. French that we can make any arrange
ment for some one to go out on our run
Mr. Spahr-I will ask if you do not go in
with more unworked mail than any man
on the road2 IObjected to by Mr.. Duncan. The
Witness however, answered, II do not"
did you not sign petition for Mr.. Frenchs re
movall t-H- .'.e
Witness declined to answer. Objected to by
Mr. Duncan. Question decided to be competent.
WitneSS-I DO not remember of signing such a
petition. 1 do not recollect anything about it.
My impression is | never did, but am not posi-
tive about it
Mr. Spahr-Did you not ask Mr.. jenkins to go
with you to Senator Harrison to ask for Mr..
French's REMOVAL objection to answer until
time and date can be given.
Question-Will ask if you did not say to Mr..
jenkins that if Mr. French had two or three
months experience on the road he would make
irstrate mani Objected to by Mr.. Duncan, as
improper and irrelevant. Mr.. Spahr protested
that he wanted to go on to show that while other
clerks had frequent examinations this witness
had few or none. Decided by the court not to
be legitimate cross examination
Wilbur F. Hitt-Have been in the postal serv-
ice five and one-half years Am now head clerk
on the P. & st. L. east division day line. Been
promoted over some clerks, but thinks he de-
served the promotion or would not have re-
ceived it. The weighing Of mails that came
under witnesses observation was honestly done
So far as witnesses knowledge goes Mr.. French
is faithful honest, capable and conscientious
officer.
Colonel w R. Holloway questioned in regard
to the testimony given by formCS witness that
at one time during Colonel Holloway's term as
postmaster, mail lay in the Office two or three
weeks unforwarded)-I was postmaster for
ago. l gave personal supervision to the office,
and mail never was allowed to accumulate for
two or three days, let alone two or three weeks.
Some mail stopped here Immediately after the
Chicago fire. but that could not be avoided and
was for only a short time. Made Mr.. Frenchs
acquaintance in 1874 or 1875 We became better
acquainted as time went on. From my knowl
edge of Mr. French as an officer and az a man
know he is faithful, honest and impartial /
made an inquiry as to his discrimination against
soldiers 1t was very thorough. Never could
hear of anything, except in a general way, that
he Disseminated against soldiers, except where
it ought to be done and where men were pro
NOTED on their records. Inquired into great
many complaints made against Mr.. French and
generally found him right. Do not remember
of an instance in which he wrong.
The principal objection to Mr.. French was
that he was running Indiana fellows out and
other fellows in. We found that Indiana had
more men on the line than all three States to-
gether. Indiana was way ahead Will state
that Indiana has more postal clerks than any
State III the Union
Mr. Spahr-Colonel, you have been in all
kinds of life civil military and now conducting
a newspaper-would you consider man compe-
tent and efficient where "a large per cent. of the
men in his employ or under him are complaining
against hint
Colonel HI think it a very small percentage
of the clerks in this division kicking against Mr.
French. l think know what is the matter with
a good many of them.
Mr. Spahr-I want to ask you if in a regiment
of men the majority would be against their col
onel. [Laughter.l Question objected to by Mr..
Duncan.
Mr.. Spahr-1 will then ask you as an expert if
a large percentage of men under the superntend-
ance of any man complaining if that fact
would not destroy his efficiency as an officer!
Colonel HI decline to answer. There is no
large per cent. against Mr.. French. 1t is only
a miserable little per cent. decline. to give
any opinion. / do not pretend to be an expert
Three fourths of the complaints here are oc-
casioned by acts of Congress and the Postmast-
err general If good and sufficient excuse were
sent to Mr.. French he would send it to Wash
ngton, and, from my acquaintance with Mr.
French, know he would do right.
Henry McWorkman-Have been connected
with the indianapolis postoffce twenty six years
During all of Colonel Holloways time there
never were any great delays in distribution of