The Indianapolis journal., 1884-07-15
Editor John Dewey Gives Some Very Good
Reasons for Believing that the Irish
Will Not Vote for Cleveland.
Further Revelations as to the Plot to
Nominate Hendricks for President.
Ben Butler Points Out the Mistakes Made by
the Opponents of Cleveland, and Hints
at His Future Designs.
HENDRIoKs 70 CHANDLER.


The Ex-Governor's Response to the Letter of
the Secretary of the Navy.
In response to the letter of Secretary Chandler
which appeared in the Associated Press dis.
patches yesterday, Mr.. Hendricks has written
the following:
INDIANAPOLIS, July IA, 1884.
Hon w. Il. Chandler:
Sir-I find in the newspapers of this morning
letter to me from Yourself written on yesterday and
plain that did you injustice in address to the peo
pie of this city made the evening before In that ad
dress urged that I'VE need to have the books in the
government Office opened for examination, and as
illustration cited the of fraudulent vouchers in
one Of the bureaus of your department. and that upon
ype t6e Senate, s # appear appeared that the frauds
amounted to $63 000 and is not every word of that
truel You brought before the committee, and
testified as stated. You admitted under oath that
the sum of money lost amounted to $4,000, but
your defense is that the embezzement did not wholly
under that of your predecessor It to have COW
cred the period from June 81 1880 down to jan 25,
1884 Does that hepyour easel Youwere at the head of
the department year and nine months of that period
your predecessor about year and ten months. He
was in Office at the payment of the first false voucher
June 21 1880, and up to April II, 1882, when
you came in; and you continued thence
until the last false voucher paid, Jan.
25, 1884. The period was almost equally divided
between yourself and your predecessor How much
of the $63 900 was paid out under yourself, and how
much under your predecessor your letter does not
show. But sir upon the question that was discuss
ing does it make any difference who the Secre
the cases like this when the frauds concealed in
the vaults in the books Of the department the only
remedy of the people is by change of control that
the books and vouchers shall come under the exami
nation of new and disinterested Do you think
l am answered when you say was mis-
taken in supposing that in this
the frauds all under your administration, when,
in fact part of them extended back into
ho
the defalcation is large but the serious fact is
that it could and did extend through two administra
without detection But it becomes more serious, so
far you Individually concerned when the fact
is considered that you had notice. and yet took
sufficient action
The information upon which spoke was from
Washington, 26th of last month, by the Associated
Press the same that brings me your letter.
either in your department from the in
vestgating committee. If you wore not correctly
ported that was the time for and correction
You testified that the total of suspicious vouchers,
discovered so far, about 1858 600, and that the
money fraudulently obtained was in some instances
divided between a watchman in the department. Cor
rgan the chief clerk and Kirkwoed in charge of the
accounts Now what notice had you9 According to
the Associated Press report of your testimony You
ceved letter last year charging Corrgan of the
parties, with drunkenness, and after that came
to you and told you that Kirkwood and Corrigan
were engaged in frauds. Did not that put you upon
notice and investigation You testified that in.
qury made and that the conclusion thatwhile
there were some suspicious circumstances, they did
not warrant conclusion of guilt After notice verbal
and in writing, you left the in Office
You did not bring the frauds to light the guilty
parties to punishment. 1t was the government de-
tective, Wood who discovered the frauds, and the
Associated Press report says that Wood declared he
would have further dealings with your department
but would press the investigation before Congress-
What is your next excused Worse if possible, than
all before. You say large number of congressman
including gentlemen of great influence and posi-
tion recommended that the head of the bureau, DR..
Wales, should be reappointed
The members of Congress knew nothing of the
frauds; they had no opportunity to know. 1t was
within your reach and duty. They probably his
personal friends You were his official superior. But
in fact, did you reappoint hinnf understand not.
Perhaps the detective discovered the frauds too
But Dr. Wales not Of the three guilty parties
He neither forged the vouchers embezzled the
money. His responsibility in the case is just the
your own. He was the official superior of
the three rogues, as you were of himself well
them. Neither he yourself exposed the
frauds or punished the parties. have not thought
Of or considered this Of politics. Address
ing my neighbors said that this and like cases ad-
monish them to demand ciylservce reform in the
mova of all from Office who will not seek to promote
it within the sphere of their official duty and au-
thority Respectfully,
7. A. HENDRICKS.