Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-12
THE posrmAsTER5HIp.
Mr.. Russeil's Response to the Charges OF
His Party Opponents.

His Party Opponents.
When MIR. o. II. Russell was appointed
postmaster Of the city IL was mentioned IN
the Dispa'ch that during President Cleve--
lands Administration he was removed
from the collectorship of customs upon
the report of two special agents who came
here. examined Mr.. RusselPs accounts,
and reported technical shortage OF be-
tween $500 and $500.
IL is fact that he was so removed. but
IL has always been understood here that
the extent of his offending was that he adj
vanced to employees of, his office and mo-
chanics who had done work about the Gus
tom-house money due them; that Is. Mr..
Russell paid them out of Government
funds before their accounts were properly
approved.
THE KICKING.
Now that his name is shortly 10 come be-
fore tho Senate for confirmation some OF
those who are inimical to him-Repubii-
cans mainly-are pressing this matter for
all that it is worth, and they have spread
far and wide the report that he was re-
moved from the collectorship because he
was defauter to the Government. SO he
was, technically, but the very officers who
caused his removal--or one of them. at
least-will 90 before the Senate committee
and press Mr.. Russell's claims for confirma-
ton.
1t is almost exclusively Republican
fight. The Democrats are taking no hand
in il. though the expression is frequently
is preferable to another that at one time
seemed imminent.
Mr.. RUSSELL INTERVIEWED.
Mr.. Russell was asked yesterday what he
was going to do about answering the news
k1inotfnro ON. thfc cf,t.tact
am going to do nothing. he said. There
is nothing to refute. 1t is only malicious
falschood revamped by disappointed poll
ticians. Why there are men with appl1ca-
lions on file with me for positions who
have Joined in this wicked crusade. / have
handled nearly $l0000,00 of the public
moneys and came out clean-handed. | left
the internal-revenue office with one OF
the best records in the United States. Mr..
| Cleveland removed me in accordance with
| his right, but for no defalcation, and my
enemies know this when they circulate
| these false and malicious statements.
When was removed the Government was
| indebted to me in the sum of S148.40
which they Immediately sent me. / could
have been reappointed collector under the
present Administration. but preferred to
be chief deputy, which position accepted.
THE PLANETS POSITION.
These people (his Republican oppo.
nents), said Mr.. Russell, denounce me as a
Democrat in disguise simply because !
wish TO give the people good service and
aid the Republican party in every legiti-
mate way. instead OF sacrificing the best
interests of the service for purely partisan
purposes. The colored organ. the Plant,
has bitter attack on me to-day on this
account.
/ repeat, there is nothing TO refute.
These false charges have been sprung be-
fore, and now that the time approaches for
action they are revamped and repeated. i
shall 90 before the Senate committee with
nv statement. 1t is not necessary for me
to make defence in this community.
where / have the esteem, respect. and
confidence of its business people and pro-
performers without regard to party. So
lar from being a defaulter for the paltry
sum charged, the Government was IN my
debt, and paid me to the last mill.