The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-15
WHY MAILS ARE IRREGULAR
Drunkenness of Postal Clerk Is Al
legged as the Cause on One Railroad.
Peoria Newspapers Cite Instances of Gross
Carelessnes and Inexcusable Neglect Of
Duty by Indianapolis Route Agents.

II the postal authorities are in doubt as to
where to begin in remedying the evils attending
a Encouragement of the service in this city.
they can find TO better starting point than the
Union Depot. It seems that tho transfer of
mails there is not only carried on without sys-
tenn, which causes an almost insxtricable mix
ture of mails for the north, south east and west,
but that there are instances of mail trains going
out with no mail whatever. The bags that
should have been sent out on those trains were
found one or two days afterwards stacked in tho
Union Depot The Peoria Transcripts gives
an illustration of this reprehensinls care
lessness in statement it obtained
from A Fl. Palmsnter, conductor on the L,
B. & W. railway. On his train, few days ago,
although there was large mail In the postal
car no route agent went with it, nor was there
any person along the line to distribute or at
tend to the mail matter. Tt was not cared for,
although much of it was destined for towns
between here and Peoria, until it reached the
latter city. 1t had to be sent back and distrib-
uted on the next mail train coming to Indian
apolis. Mr.. Palmenter says the route agent
between those two cities is often too drunk to
attend TO business and that frequens complaints
have been made concerning him to the Indian
apolis postmaster. but there had been no
reform or even any attempt to better tho
service. The Transcript comments on this state
men of the conductor by saying: IF his allie
cations correct, and he allegates very stout
ly. 1t is still serious question whether or no
allowances should not be made for the poor.
down trodden, overworked Democratic mail
agent; whether he should not be allowed to
stimulate and recuperate occasionally, even II
public business is neglected. Perhaps the in
tense tension on his nerves, the severe strain on
his constitution. is more than the poor fellow can
stand. And if Conductor Palmsnter has spoken
of him too harshly, let him step forward and
plead not guilty or else throw himself upon tho
clemency of the court"
The Peoria Journal. Democratic paper, re-
fers to the mail service on tho O.. I. & W.. and
l., B. &c w. roads as one of chronic disorder.
An Indianapolis train came into Peoria re-
Gently without ounce Of mail matter aboard,
and the Journal says the train1nen stated it was
the fault Of the mail agent They also said the
delayed mail was stacked up six feet high in In
dianapolis and there seemed to Do no available
road agent capable of taking charge of its as
sortment and distribution The trainmen say
they are ready to swear that certain of the Fifth
district government employees are given over to
the use of the seductive bottle One thing cor
tain, the Journal says, is that the mails along
the line of that particular road are in state OF
utter and hopeless confusion.
The same paper refers to another instance OF
neglect, when the l., 3. & W. mail car
brought into Peoria heavy mail that ought to
have been distrib utsd along the line of the
road. 1t charges James Downing, the route
agent. with being responsible for this trouble.
day or two later the Journal makes this allu-
sion to him: 1.-THE agent, Jim Bowling, has been
on a prolonged and ecstatic drunk to such
tent that last Wednesday night he did not leave
Indianapolis at all. Postmaster DowdAll seat
dispatch to the Postmaster general and J. B.
Given, superintendent of the Fifth division, da-
tailed two additional men to distribute the mail
and get matters Strengthened out Bowling will
be fred straightway
The Journal of late date is also authority for
the statement that the irregular mail service
along the line between indianapolis and Peoria
will soon be end. 1t says the postal do
partment is looking into the matter, and who
ever of the government officials is at fault will
BIS made Ito toe the line in good shape or drop
out of the ranks"
Mr. D. w. Kinsey. cashier of the Citizens
State Bank at New Castle. writes to the Journal
regarding the delay of mail from this city, and
incloses four envelopes received in one day,
showing that there is good cause for complaint
Two of the envelopes bear the postmark of the
Indianapolis postoffice, dated Feb. IL. at and
Z o'clock P. NJ They should have been sent
out not later than 4 o'clock the
at New Castle at o'clock A. NJ. on the 18th, the
distance from this city being only forty-four
miles. However the letters were not received
there until the 18th. the stamp of the New
Castle Office shows. The other two envelopes
addressed to the bank bear tho stamp of the
Toledo and Washington postofices of the same
date, Feb. IL. and they were received at the
same time that the lettsrs from Indiana polls
were. Mr.. Kinsey wants to know. 'How does
it happen that il takes letter the same length
of time TO come from indianapolis to Now Cas-
tie as from Washington, ID. C. 81 He adds that
trouble of this kind Ia of FREQUENT Occurrences.