The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-11

mlttoe on civil service louhf Icauheu 10
investigation into the conduct OF certain
employees in the civil service in Baltimore.
Secretary Foster was the first wit
ness. lie had heard OF the charges
made by Commissioner Roosevelt
against two men connected with the GUS
toms service in Baltimore of collecting
money for political purposes. They had
been reprimanded nv the collector and he
was inclined to think this punishment
sufficient, hut finally said he should very
much doubt if it was consistent with the
good OF the public service to keep such
men in office. But he should want 10
know all the facts in the case before TAX
ing action.
Commissioner Roosevelt was next ex-
amined. lie said he had made an exam
ination of the workings of the Baltimore
postofiice and customs house and recon-
men ied the removal OF twenty-one en-
ployes for violation OF the civil service law,
but no action had been taken. He said IT
was absolutely impossible to upset
mis- conclusions for they were
based on the confessions OF the
accused persons made at the very time
the events took place. Bearing on the
statement of the postmaster general that
il is not the duty Of the commission TO
make any report to the head OF a depart
ment. Mr.. Roosevelt produced two let
tiers from Mr.. Wananaker, asking the
commission TO make just such an eX-
animation and report 10 him.
MIR. Roosevelt quoted from the testimony
of Mr.. Wanamaker when in speaking OF
81 ha
declare 20 the post office inspector that
they have not made such statements and
they do that under oath, YOU are bound
to take their statements"
at seems TO me, said Mr.. Roosevelt,
that il in private business OF large size
an investigation into one of its branches
should disclose that iwentY-one men were
cheating the men, being caught red
handed and confessing their guilt It
would be very unwise TO accept the oaths
OF these same men six months later that
they were innocent and had lied when
they made their confessions"
As to the implications in the statement
of Mr. Wanamaker that the accused Car-
ties were not fairly reported Mr.. Roosevelt
said it seemed hardly necessary to meet
such an accusation as this and insisted
that the stenographer's report was the
| only proper record of what the men said
Mr.. Roosevelt concluded his statement
by eaying: The amount of it Is that all
these men are plainly guilty upon their
own confession that they have made this
| confession in terms which it Is inpossi-
bic TO misunderstood and equally
| impossible to retract; that nothing
| they have said since or can say in the
future can in any way explain this con
fession and that their subsequent con-
| duct. rs implied in the report OF the
| postoffice inspectors, simply shows that
| they are not entitled TO a particle
| of grace or consideration. l honestly
| fail 10 see how there can be particle
| OF question as 10 these mems guilt after
reading the evidence, and if these men are
not guilty then il is impossible that men
ever can he guilty under the civil service
| law and il they have not deserved pun
ishment then it is impossible that men
can DO anything in violation OF that law
| which will deserve punishment. This is
| not the time to consider whether the law is
or is not wise. IL is on the statute book
! and i am appointed to see that it 10 en-
/ forced and / have simply done my plain
duty in pointing out its yio alton and in
recommending the punishment OF the
| wronRdoers.
Russell Was on Hand.
f. G. Waters, who was to have appeared
this morning before the house committee
on public lands, investigating the Yellow
| stone park lease, was not present, and a
warrant was issued for his arrest. Sub
sequenty letter was received from
| Mr.. Waters saying that ne was i'll
and the warrant was withheld for the
| present. Charles +. Gibson was examined
regarding the o eiture OF leases. He
came to Washington, he said, in connec-
ton with the leases and while calling o n
Assistant AtOrney-General Shields about
them he had been introduced to Russell
Harrison aad after MIR. Harrison had left
the room Gen. Shields told him that Har-
rson called to see him concerning a deep.
water harbor in Texas.
The Ranm Scandal
Before tho Raum investigating commit
tee day j. ID. Rhodes, disbarred pension
attorney, testified that when he was
prscticing before the bureau he had some
conversation with Mr.. Reum, ir., relative
TO the purchase of horse. Witness Offered
Mr. Raum the horse for Sl75. Raum offered
TO pay SO in cash and give the remainder
in pension office influence when witness