The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-04
ALL THE CARDINAL VIRTUES.
A Number of Postal Clerks Testify that
French Never Injured Them.

French Never Injured Them.
The French investigation, yesterday, in the
testimony introduced, was, for the most part,
merely a repetition of that of Saturday. Mr..
Duncan, attorney for Mr.. French, shaped his
questions to the accumulation of individual OBJ
servaton and opinions regarding Mr.. French's
honesty competency and impartiallty as an off
Ger, on which points favorable testimony
given by Oscar Van Horn, Columbus, o.; Albert
j. Ball. Noblesville; E. t. Curtis, Aurora, o.; H,
e. Allenburg, Auburn, Ind; w. s. McGinnis,
Cincinnati, o.. and W. NJ. Boyne, Cleveland, o.
The first witness to take the stand in the
afternoon was W. B. Kimball. Cincinnati who
likewise testified to Mr.. Frenchs courtesy, hon
esty and impartiality. On cross examination he
was asked if he had not heard of frequent com
plants of Entertainment by men in this part of
the division3
Objected to.
Question: will ask if man may not be en-
titled to the next vacancy above him, by his
record and every other qualification that goes to
make up good clerk, and yet, from the work
ings of the service, be kept out of it for years
and years!
MI Duncan did not think the question could
well be answered by the witness according to
his statement
Answer think it might be DONE but don't
know that it has been done.
Charles r. Vincent Piqua, O., testified to Mr.
French's honesty, capacity, lack of favoritism,
etc. On cross examination said French does
promote some men over others the cause Of
which promotion was not apparent to witness
nor to men in the crew.
John Roehm, of Cincinnati, second clerk on
the 0. & NJ, testified favorably to Mr.. French
II L l.
manded by the regulations. On cross-eXamina-
ton witness was asked if he had not remarked
that Mr.. French runs the service to suit himself
Objected to, The court decided the witness
could answer. The witness replied he had not.
Questionable you not tell Ellis Miller that
Mr.. French run the division to suit himself! l
wish to discover what has caused your change of
opinion
Witness-To my best recollection did not
say it.
Three afidavits were then read The first
made by J. Harvey Melvin, of jefferson county,
Ill, said that he was postal clerk. Suffering
from disabilities incurred while prisoner of
war at Andersonville and other Southern pris-
ons. he had first had a run on the Pittsburg 81
st. Louis and after two months service wrote to
Mr. French asking lighter service. whereupon
Mr. French secured him a transfer to the Louis
vile q Mt Vernon r. P o.
The second affidavit from Joseph Holt Green
of Jefferson county, Kentucky, recites that he
resigned the postal service after five years, Nov.
!, 1881. He had known Mr.. French to manifest
an earnest interest in the welfare of the men,
and could not recall "a single act or instance of
injustice during that five years acquaintance.
The third affidavit from c. NJ. Dubois,
postal clerk this city, who testified that he had
always found Mr. French courteous and obig
ing. Was transferred by Mr.. French ON his re-
quest to his present run on the P. q St l..
George II. Moore, j. j. Stanley Henry Nc
Kinney A P. Gray J. T. Randall, j. W. Egg
bert and three other witnesses, testified that
Mr. French an honest, faithful, courteous,
competent and efficient officer.
c. c. Dumont-I live in Indianapolis. Am
chief clerk on the east division, night line, p. &
st. L. Have run on west division of that line.
When second clerk, was on Mr. Rutledge's run.
Have seen Rutledge sign the name of the sec
ond clerk to mail that he has delivered. Don't
know whether he signed it as A. B., by Rut
ledge, or only in the second clerks name.
Thought Rutledge was the most careless man 1
ever saw in charge of a car. All he cares about
is to register in and register out, and draw his
pay.
Question: will ask you if you have not lately
been laid off from this divisions Objected to.
Witness declined to answer
Question: will ask you if you have not been
reinstated over French's protestl | am not try
ing to show that this witness has been favored
by French. will ask if you did not apply to
Mr.. French to be assigned to duty, and he re-
fused; that you then telegraphed to Washington,
and were reinstated! I'd
Witness declined to answer The investga-
ton will continue this morning at 10 o'clock