The Helena independent., 1890-03-22
The Helena Postmaster Addresses
Some Pertinent Remarks TO Con-
gresham Carter,
If Carter Knew of a Deficit Why
Didn't He Tell Curtis When
At Washington.
Mr.. Curtis Makes Plain Statement and II
Carter Acted in Good Faith He
Apologies.

HELENA. March I.-Io lHE lNpLPLHptNA'
Mr.. Carter feels hurt that ] should dare
defend my good name from the outrageous
imputation of dishonesty made by the
says the postmaster general. That out OF
pure friendship for me he induced the post
master-general TO delay action until an in
vestigation could be made; that I'M agent
was sent to investigate the matter and that
on his report was ordered removed. And
this all happened about a month ago. If
Mr.. Carter was in possession of these facts
when / was with him in Washington why
did he not tell me so could personally con-
front my accuser and explain TO the audi
tor. if an explanation was needed? Mr..
Hoss, assistant p. Nj. says some man by the
name of Brown called at the Office during
my absence, showed his card, was around of
and on for a couple Of days, but
never hinted or offered, or demanded an
inspection of the Office. IL he was sent
merely as an excuse with n cooked report
and base lie ON his lips TO injUre me, he
has only succeeded in bringing contempt on
his employers, for l court the most rigid
examination of my accounts and ask no
favor. The last inspection of the office was
Herbert, on my invitation, made AN informal
inspection, since which time no official in
spection has been held. The report, there
fore, was not based ON examination and
inspection, but ON supposed statement
from the auditor that was short. | still
brand as an infamous lie the statement
that | am short in my accounts. Like other
officers Of the government my account has
been suspended for examination with a
view 10 allowing or disallowing some items
of expense, but il is most unjust and cruel
thing TO accuse faithful public servant OF
n crime he is innocent of.
The dispatches state that Postmaster Cur
tiswill be removed because he failed 10 de-
post certain balance in the third quarter
of lSSg-let us see what the facts of the case
are: On account of the large increase in
the business of the office and because the
department had unjustly reduced my al
ready sma allowance; was compelled in
the interest of the service and for the con-
venience of the public, 10 expend more
than my allowance, these items took cred
il for in my statement. explaining TO the
auditor the reason for SO doing and begging
him to have them allowed. Oct. " the
auditor sent me statement in differences Of
postal account Some of the items were
allowed and the balance. $7Gs.39 was or
dered 10 deposit at once with this explana-
ti0n. "Ihe appropriation for these ex-
penses has been exhausted; when congress
makes the necessary provision for them the
amount paid by YOU will be considered" !"
Acting on the orders Of the auditor | NJ
once deposited with the First National
bank for transmission 20 the acting treas
urer at chicago the balance due. The re-
ceipt never reached this office. | called
Mr.. Knights attention TO the matter, say
ing could not take credit until was in
possession of the certificates which under
ine regulation of the postoihce department
must be stamped with day and date receiy-
ed, and the original sent 20 the auditor.
Mr.. Knight wrote 10 the First National
bank of Chicago TO ascertain from the as
sistant treasurer of the United States what
had become of the receipts II was found
that they had been either lost or mislaid;
authority was asked and given TO issue a
duplicate set. which did not reach this Office
till Feb. 2, seventy-six days after the de-
posit was made. You can see ] complied
with the order 20 deposit the balance
claimed 10y the auditor. The failure TO take
credit at the proper time was not due 10
disregard of orders or desire to defraud
the government. Since being postmaster
have paid out Of my own pocket large
sum of money (evidenced by proper vouch-
els in my possessonD to keep and run the
Office in decent shape for the convenience
and comfort of the public and the good of
the service. | suppose | WAS foolish TO do
so, but hoped the department would ac-
knowledge and appreciate the necessity and
reimburse me. Instead OF paying me back
and increasing my allowance the amount
WAS cut down, and the salaries of Messrs
Bishop and Anderson reduced from fair
living to starvation wages. / could not
afford 10 dispense with the services of these
competent clerks, SO to retain them;
had TO make good the reduction
in their salaries, and since last July
have paid Messrs. Hoss, Bishop, Anderson
and the ianitor, VIM. Muodoock, over S400
out of my own salary-and this is the re-
turn get for my devotion to the public
service. II my place was wanted for some
republican gentleman. a hint would have
been enough TO have forwarded my resigna-
tion, but 10 publish TO the world that was
10 be removed because was short in my ac-
counts was most damnable and disgrace
full excuse to set me aside.
IL Mr.. Carter defended me when accused
/ thank him, and am sorry the dispatches
quoted him as being my enemy and accusor
would not do any man an injusticc IT,
therefore, he denies the reports, apologize
like man. But will vet find out who is
10 blame and settle with him.
In conclusion | wish 10 state that Mr..
Hoss my cashier and assistant postmaster
handles all cash which comes through the
Office, and it would be impossible TO be short
without his knowledge. am ready 10 leave
the postoilice, but want TO do 30 with no
cloud on my good name. II am indebted
10 the department let them show me what
the deficit is. l believe il il known / am
fully able 70 make it good. want no white
washing. | demand full e1oneration or
proof that the charge made is true. hive
full confidence in the integrity of my book
keeper, and feel confident his accounts are
correct kegppctfullv