The Evening critic., 1884-03-03
ABOUT THOMAS l., JAMES

WINS ltODUtu Oh ScNCfht hIUnureO
Thousand Dollars "A Subject for
Investigation.
Mr.. Thomas J.. James, late Postmaster
General of the United States and now the
president Of vauderbilt's bank, in New
York, will be in the city this week TO tell
the Committee on Expenditures of the
Department Of Justice what no knows
about the Star-Route cases.
There is a little affair yet unexplained
which Mr.. James might now be called upon
to say something about. Perhaps it would
not come properly under the Jurisdiction of
the Department of Justice, but it certainly
is o proper subject of inquiry by the Com
mittee OH PostofIices and Postroads.
In September last tho National Republican
of this city, then and now owned and ed
tied by Mr.. Frank Hatton, First Assistant
Postmaster-Genoral, charged that Mr..
Charles Emory Smith, of the Philadelphia
Press, was tho originator of q conspiracy,
which, under his manipulation, had been
carried through, resulting in taking from the
Treasury of tho United States over three
hundred thousand dollars. This alleged steal
was brought about by Mr. Smith, inducing
Postmaster General James to put on fast
newspaper train between Philadelphia and
Harrisburgh.
Upon subsequent investigation IL was
found that the sum Was much greater,
and for several days the Republican kept
tho following, double-leadcd, standing at
the head Of its editorial columns
The SsO3,t70.37 Job.
Tho above arc the exact figures taken from
the Treasury by the job which Retormer
Charles Emory Smith, OF the Philadelphia
Press, originated aud carried through. His
paper was the principal shsrer in the grab.
Mr.. Smith, after six weeks silence, now claims
that u was In the interest Of increased postal
facilities. This is the same answer made by
tho participants In the "Star-Route con-
spiracy." MIR. Smith now says heis willing to
have tho whole matter investigated. When
dressed to any member Of the next House de.
mandtng an investigation the Republican will
believe no Is In earnest. HIS talk about the
suppression or records and documents Is baby
papers, but also the statements under oath OF
the officers knowing all the facts.
Eight hundred md three thousand four
hundred and seventy nine dollars and thirty
seven cents 10 big grab. We hope good Mr..
Smith viii DO able, with the aid Of Congress
slonal committee, 10 explain 1t away-to the
satisfaction OF honest people.
For long time Mr.. Smith and the
Press declined to make any explanation of
the change, but articles published in that
paper were confined to personal abuse of
Mr.. Hatton. AT length Mr.. Smith made
an explanation of his efforts to get on fast
newspaper train between the cities above
named, in the course of which he said
After falling In 'somo other attempts, the
editor OF tho Press proceeded TO Washington
and conferred with President Arthur and Post.
master-Geperal James on the subject. In an
Interview with the President, Mr.. Smith point
ed out the discrimination against Philadel-
phio, and urged that as the Government had
provided early mail facilities for other cities,
philadelphia had q right TO ask for correspond
Ing service. President Arthur promptly recog-
nized the Justice md force OF the claim, and
to the Postmaster. General ana advise him (the
Preeident OF the progress OF the movement.
In second Interview tho President himself
opened the question, asked what had been
done toward putting on the early train, and
expressed his wish TO do whatever was neces-
sary to secure 1t.
Meanwhile Mr.. Smith made application to
Postmaster-General James and laid the whole
case before him. General James, who has
done 80 much for the country In the develop
ment OF Its postal service, at cnce stated that
was right, and promised to see what could be
done. He consulted the President and no.
ceived the Presidents authority to take such
steps as were requisite to supply the needed
facilities.
1t will be observed that Mr.. Smith tried
to screen himself behind the President,
and on November 1, 1885, the Republican
referred editorially as follows to Mr.. Smith
and his little scheme:
1t has been his delight to study how he
could wound the feelings OF those whom he
had betrayed, and nothing has he done with
friend, the President. When he wanted to
aid bis employer In vending his wares, aud
needed Government money TO do II with, no
, %n aside his reform piety and hied him to
Generdid rddy. friend. 1t was not unreason-
able that there should be fast morning
train west from philadelphia, ahead of the
quest for such an order was made by the Post
MASTER General. Tho cost OF It would have
been but $4,000 Il the service had been Sc.
was no appropriation to meet 1t, and
two months would intervene before Congress
would meet and BIO able to make an approprl.
5ethouQht hinSeir Of method ahere6v, al a loss
10 ne Government Of more than three. quarters of
a million Of dollars, he could get Ms $4,000
,goth o. ertta service done 70 Se,Ue MS "friead
ernment pays over 100000 for sending the
philadelphia Press west ahead OF the New
YORK papers, when by waiting few weeks 1t
face to face with this conspiracy to rob the
Treasury for private purposes, OF which he
was the instigator and centre, and OF which his
paper was the beneficiary, this craven files to
cover and whines like a belaborod cur. Ad.
hitting the facts, he swears they are blame-
Less, and pressed to the wall with the enormity
OI the pubic rODDery ne mas engineered, he
seeks to take shelter behind the President,
and TO Justify his rascality by false pretense
that that dignatary had In some manner ad-
vised the action OF tho Department. We say
false pretense advisedly, and that 1t Is false
one will be abundantly proven whenever 1t is
brought TO the test OF evidence before a COM
mittee ofCongress.
The italics in the above extract are our
own. 1t was very clear from the showing
Of the Republican that there was con-
spiracy. Mr.. Smith and his paper were
the benefciaries. But there must have
been another conspirator. Who was he?
The Republican says He (smth) found
in the then Postmaster. General ready
friend" and in the same article the Re
publican says: "The accommodating Post
master General bethought himself of a
method whereby, at loss to the Govern
ment of more than throe.quarters of a
million Of dollars, he could get the $l6,-
900 worth of extra service done to servo
his friend Charlie, and he settled it in that
way"
Gentlemen of the PostofIice Committee,
is not this legitimate subject of inves
tigation?
And now that Postmaster General
James ia IN he hera wnuld n not ha wall IN