The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-01
IT RESTS WITH CLEVELAND.
The Inquiry Into the Charges Against
Grandfather Jones Concluded.
What the Mugwumps Threaten in Case the
Testimony Already Taken Does Not
Produce the Desired Result.

The civil-service commissioners were engaged
throughout the entire day yesterday in taking
testimony On the the charges against Postmaster
Jones, butthe investigation was practically con-
cluded last evening. The statements of the mug
wumps, supporting their charges against the
postmaster, were presented during the morning,
and the testimony of the postofice employees
was also given. The greater part Of the evil
dence related to the charge that Mr.. Jones had
promised positions to number of Democrats if
they should successfully pass the civil-service
examinations and some Of the witnesses who
were examined were persons who had been dis
appointed or removed from positions. Captain
Dodd was requested to furnish list of the names
of all persons employed in the Office at the time
Dir. Jones became postmaster, and those who
now hold positions under him. The charge that
unworthy and incompetent persons have been
appointed by Mr.. Jones will not be pressed by
the Independents, it is said, until some time
in the future If the report of the commission
ers shows that the postmaster has not violated
the civilservice law in removing Wilmington
and Woods the registry clerks appointed under
the rules, who were dismissed without cause
the character of some of the other appointments
will be made the basis for second complaint
and if they are given any further consideration
by the President, the independents will gvehim
an opportunity to investigate other things 1t
was their intention to introduce evil
dence showing that the appointment of
Captain Dodd was not good one;
but it was either not permitted on account of the
charges failing to make it subject for inquiry,
or they were unsuccessful in getting the testl-
mony which they expected to be able to offer
So far as Mr.. Jones is directly concerned the in
vestigation has been directed almost solely to
the charges relative to the removal of the two
registry clerks, and the case against him rests
wholly on the question OF whether or not their
dismissal was a violation of the civil service law
great mass of evidence has been taken con-
corning the charges against the local civil service
board, and most of the time during the four
days that the commissioners have been engaged
in the investigation has been devoted to this
work. 1t is a matter, however, which is left
entirely to the commissioners, and they will
finally decide whether Or not the local board has
been guilty of any unfairness or has violated the
law. 1t is only the testimony on the charges
against Mr.. Jones which will be referred to the
President, because he alone has the power to
remove the postmaster, and tho case
comes directly under his jurisdiction. There is
little fear however, that Mr.. Jones will be re
moved on the strength of the report which the
commissioners will make to the President.
Judge Thoman left for Washington last even
ing. Chief Examiner Lyman, however. is still
in the city and will remain until this evening
''There are, he stated to Journal reporter last
evening, "a few odds and end to be looked after
yet; but the investigation is substantially con
Guided and there is no further testimony of any
importance to be taken" The report of the
examiners on the investigation will be submitted
to the commission early next week, and there
will be no delay in referring the testimony con-
corning Mr.. Jones to the President.