The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-07-22
HENDRICKS RESPONDS.

HENDRICKS RESPONDS.
He Tackles Billee Chandler and Ex-
tinguiShes Him.
INDIANAPOLIS, July 15.- Ex-Governor
Hendricks has written the following in
response TO the letter OF Secretary
Chandler:
INDIANAPOLIS, July IA.
Hon. W. Z. Chandler:
SIR-I ind 10 the newspapers this
morning q letter to me from Yourself,
written yesterday, and circulated through
the Associated Press. You complain
that did you injustice iu my address
to the people OF this city, made the
evening before. In that address l urged
that we need to shave the books in the
government Offices open for exsmina.
tion," and as an illustration, cited the
case OF fraudulent vouchers in one bu
reau OF your department, and said that
upon your testimony before sub-com-
mittee of the Senate, il appeared that
the frauds amounted to $63, 900; and is
not every word of that true7 You were
brought before the committee and testi-
fed IS l stated.
You admitted, under oath, that the
sum of money lost amounted to 863, 900.
bot your defense is that the embezzle-
meDt did not wholly occur under your
administration, but that part was under
that OF your predecessor 1t seems to
have covered the period from June 2I,
1880, down to January 25, 1884. Does
that help your case ? You we're at the
head Of the department year and nine
months OF that perird; your predecessor
about one year and ten months. He
vas in Office at the payment of the first
false voucher. June q, 1880. and up to
April II. 1882, when you came in, and
you continued from thence until the last
false voucher was paid January 25, 1884.
The period was almost equally divided
between yourself and your predecessor.
How much Of the s63 900 was psid ont
under yaprself, and how much under
your predecessor your letter does no.
show.
But. sir, upon the Question that I
was discussing, does IL make any diff
ference who was secretary when false
vouchers we're pa,df / urged that cases
like this, when frauds are concealed in
the vouchers or in the books OF de.
partment, the only remedy of the people
is bv change Of control, so that the
hooks and vouchers shall come under
the examination OF new and dIsinterested
men. Do you think l am answered when
you say was mistak q 10 supposing
that in this case the frauds were all un.
der your standardization. when, IN fact, q
part Of them extended back into that OF
your predecessors Why, sir, that
makes your case worse. For the bureau
of medicine aud surgery the defalcation
is large, but more serious fact is that
1t could and did extend through two
administrations of the department,
period OF nearly four years, without de.
lection. But it becomes more serious
so far as you are individually concerned
when the fact is considered thst you had
notice and yet took no sufficient action.
The Information upon which ! spoke
was from Washington, the 26.h Of last
month, BY Associated Press. the same
that brings me your letter. The Asso-
ciated Press obtained its information
either 10 your department or from the
investigating committee. II you we're
not correctly reported, that was the time
for complaint and correction. You tes-
tilted that the "total Ct suspicious vouch-
ers discovered 80 far was about S6S, 900,
and that the money fraudulently obtain
ed was in some instances divided be-
tween the watchman OF the department,
Corrigan, chief clerk, and Kirkwood, in
charge OF the accounts Now what no
tice had you2 According to the A $50.
ciated Press report Of your testimony
you received letter last year charging
Corrigan, one Of the parties, with druu.
kenness, and after that man came to
You and told you that Kirkwood and
Corrigan were engaged in frauds. Dill
not-that put you upon notice and inves.
tigation? :? You testified that some inqui
~ was made and the conclusion was
that while there we're some. suspicious
circumstances did not warrant the con.
clusion Of guilt. After notice. verba
and in writing, you left the men in OF.
fee. You did not bring the frauds tc
light, nor the guilty parties to punish
ment. It was Government Detective
Wood who discovered the. frauds. and
the Associated Press report says WOOD
declared he would have no further deal
ings with your department, but would
press an investigation before Congress
What is your next excuse2 Worse
II possible, than all before. You say 8
large number of Congressman, inclu
ding some gentlemen OF great influence
and position. recommended that the heat
Of the bureau. Dr.. Wales, should he re
appointed. Members of Congress know
nothing Of the frauds, They had NJ
opportunity to know 1t was Within
your reach and duty. They we're prob
ably personal friends, you were his Off
cial superior. But, Ia fact, did you re
appoint him ~ understand not. Per
haps the detective discovered the fraudl
too soon, but DR.. Wsles was not one o
the guilty parties He neither forged
the vouchers or embezzled the money
His responsibility in the case is just th'
came as your own. He was the oflcia
superior OF three rogues, q. yon wer,
OF himself, as we'll rs Of them. Neither
be nor Yourself exposed the frauds Of
punished the parties.
have not thought Of or. considered
this, as . case OF politics. Addressing
nv neighhors. / said that this and like
cases admonish them to demand civi
service reform, in the removal of al
from Office who will not seek to promote
it within the sphere of. their official duty
and authority.
Respectfully, T. A. HENDRIcKs. ,
Stimulating Death in Order to Rob a
Church in Mexico of Its Valuables.
CRY OF MEXICO, July 15.-A most re-
markable attempt at robbery was made