The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-04
for Carriers at the Head
of the Eligible List Reported to
Have Been Bought OF.
DENIAL OF THE ACCUSATION
AN INVESTIGATION MADE, But NO
REPORT YET MADE PUBLIC.
Persecution, 1t Is Said, Will Be the
Documentary Deficits i'm the
Government Revenues.
necial to the 1ndianapolis journal.


WASHINGTON, Sept. 3.-Postmaster
Small of Anderson. is being gridironed by
the Postoffce Department and the Civil
service Commission. Inspectors Ledlie, of
the commission, and Horton, of the Post
office Department, have returned from An
derson where they have been for several
days investigating reports of alleged grave
violations of the civil-service law in the An
derson office The most serious charge is
that men who were candidates for carriers
and had passed a successful examination
and been placed at the top of the eligible
list were bought off for sou each in order
that certain favored individuals standing
lower down in the list might be certified up
and receive the appointment. This alleged
performance was brought to light through
the '.peaching'' of one of the eligibles, who
is said to have confessed he was bought,
but who repented his bargain and refused
to stay bought. 1t is not known whether
the inspectors report shows that Postmas-
ter Small was cognizant of the deal or not,
but there is an intimation that the men
who traded off their chances were given to
understand that they could not hope to re-
ceive the appointment even if certified, and
that it would be better for them to accept
the money than to make the trial.
Mr. Small it will be remembered, was ap-
pointed postmaster over the protests of Ma
tional Committeeman Durbin, that gentle
man and Congressman Henry locking horns
over the matter and carrying it to the Pres
ident 1t is understood that the defense will
be that the pending scandal is the result of
a ''put-up job" and that it represents per-
secution.
The quiet hint is heard about the post
office Department that John G. Woods. of
Louisville who has brought action against
the postmaster general for an injunction to
restrain that official from reducing him in
rank without a hearing. will be suspended
indefinitely pending hearing of the case in
court. High postotfice officials say that If
this sort of thing is not at once and harsh
ly discouraged the whole postoffice system
would be demoralized and every time
change is made among the 1000 employees
of the department they will be rushing into
court to restrain their superiors from dis
turbng them. 1t is said Woods will prob
ably find within very short time that he
will have to do the fighting from outside
the breastworks. ~
Two or three months recurrence of the
large deficiencies in the national revenues,
such as misunderstanding and August, will
be regarded by the. Treasury Department
with some apprehension. The treasury
situation just now is easy. The total avail
able cash on hand is $216, 0O00 900, of which
about $780, 900, 900 would be available for use
in the payment of current expenses without
cutting the gold reserve below hundred
million. II, however, the experience of July
and August should be carried through the
remainder of the calendar year, as it is
feared in well-informed quarters may be the
case the available cash would be reduced
to low ebb that another bond sale
might be forced. If such a necessity should
arise it may be assumed with perfect safety
that this administration will not postpone
action to the dangerous disturbance of bust
ness was done three years ago.
Old Postmaster Holds the Office.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.