The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-03
THE ALLEGED SCANDAL
La The Agricultural pepartment-Charl

MoEtOnI slgneu Oy James u. Mcl.augh-
lin, ex.chiei OF the executive division OF
the weather bureau, who ia under sus-
pension and threat OF dismissal.
Mr.. Mclaughlin was suspended from
March "a by Chief Harrington and his
dismissal recommended to Secretary
Morton on the ground OF iusuhordina-
ton based on his action with reference
to the promotion OF Mr. Grain, an OBJ
server at Norfolk, Va. This promotion
passing through McLaughlin's hands in
the regular course OF business, he held
It up addressing q letter at the same
time TO the acting chief OF the bureau
stating his belief that the promotion
had been made by the secretary upon
Misrepresentation aud for the purpose
OF procuring Grains silence in regard
to tho untitness OF another subordinate,
one Nichols, who, Mclaughlin said,
was a relative OF a high official Of the
bureau. As q result OF this action and
letter came Chief Harrington's order OF
suspension aud recommendation OF dis.
missal,
RRTNsTATED PENDING INVESTIGATION.
McLaughlin's next step was to file
with Secretary Morton charges reflect
ing seriously upon the management OF
the bureau. Yesterday Secretary Nor
ton instructed Mclaughlin to resume
his duties pending q full investigation
OF the matter,
Mr. Mciaughlin's letter was pub.
lished, together with talks with SeCre-
tary Morton aud Chief OF the Weather
Bureau Harrington. Official corrup'
ton does not exist and probably has
not existed in the agricultural depart
ment, but that there has been system
OF nepotism. favoritism, waste and ex-
travagance there appears TO be little
doubt Mr. McLaughlln's specific
charges are in part as follows:
That A. NJ. Whitehead was appointed
an inspector at Sl6 q day, although he
can't read the barometer. An employee
uamod j, X, Robinson, who had been
discharged, was reinstated through
POLITICAL influence. The first week after
his reinstatement he stole bolt OF
cloth and was again discharged. The
late captain OF the watch was dis
charged for stealing u carpet, office
furniture and other public property.
Thefts have been going on for some
timo unchecked. Chief Fry has no
technical knowledge OF his work. Profs.
Bigelow and Carl Barns, who have been
appointed s!Rce last July, have no
meteorological experience. Two clerks
named CARROT and Kirkham were de-
tailed to do tho work OF these professors
who are paid $1,000 per year,
REPRoyED FOR BEING HONEST.
"Major T. G. Harrison was practically
reprimanded by his superiors for his
efforts to investigate and reveal thefts
OF supplies by low.grade employees.
Many OF the professors are employed at
$1,000, although no appropriation has
been made for their employment. They
are paid from the appropriations for
outside work. The number oil messen-
gers is extraordinary and would suggest
that a special messenger is assigned to
every employe in tho weather bureau
above the rank of clerk. There is more
than one instance known OF IL female
clerk receiving her full salary, although
she had been absent had been absent
half OF the time for which sho was
paid. There Is an instance where q
number Of physicians were employed
in the bureau OF Animal Industry at
salary OF 81, 200 to detect and act upon
pleuro-pnemoni ia cattle. On March
%, 1892, Mr.. Rusk saidthat there was no
pleuro-pneumonia in this country, yet
in March, 1893, these physicians were
still on the payrol5. The work OF the
department could have been done by
one.fourth less the number OF en-
ploye. Women have been appointed
us members in violation OF tho law and
laborers have been employed as
clerks"
SOME OF THE CHARGES EXPLAINED.
Prot. Harrington, Chief Of the Wealth
or Bureau, offers an explanation OF some
OF the charges OF Mr. Mclaughlin. He
Gays:
Mortimer Whitehead, it is true,
ranks as inspector. lie gets only 81 900
q year. He is used rs speaker. Sec.
rotary Rusk was q tirm believer in the
policy OF bringing the Department OF
ASTlCulluTD III lOuCll WIN LllC luIulCIb
OF the country. Mortimer Whitehead
lie man who can address u farmers
meeting and interest farmers in mete-
orology. As Mr.. Rusk would put it, he
talks to them in the vernacular. am
unable to say anything as 10 Chief Fry's
competency. AS to Profs. Bigelow and
Barns, know that Barns has written
many valuable works on meteorology.
As the Secretary himself said, there is
undoubtedly much truth in most Of the
charges"
When Secretary Morton's attention
was called to the matter he said:
~ am determined that men who have
neglected their duty shall 80. 1t will
make no difference whether they are
Republicans or Democrats. ! will not
shield or tolerate any unworthy mem
Der OF my own party. The first thing
TO be considered is the good Of the SER
vice. should be very sorry to have it
thought that | have come here in any
narrow partisan spirit raking up de.
fccts in order to make political capital
and discredit my predecessor. My in.
vestigaiions are not melted by any such
motive. Tho fact Is that abuses have
been brought to my attention. On look.
ing into the matter ] find that certain
accusations are well founded. am 20.
ing to thoroughly overhaul the depart
ment."
Beware OF 0intments for Cntnrrh That