Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-05-08
SERIOUS CHARGES

Against the Late Assistant Secretary OF
War-Government Stores Appropriated
The PilferIngs Said to Have Been Dis
covered by Secretary Lamont and Con-
troll OF the Keys Taken from His Subor-
dinate.
New YORK, May 4.-Serious charges
Of pilfering are made against Jos. p.
Doe, of GAINESVILLE, Wis, who was as
sistant secretary of war under Cleve-
land, in Washington dispatch to the
Tribune.
1t is alleged a tremendous scandal
was hushed up by former Secretary
Lamont upon the pleading Of Senator
Villas but that Lamont refused to trust
Doe, and stripped him of all authority
and caused President Mckinley to ac-
cept his resignation even several days
before his successor was named.
The dispatch alleges that during La
mont's absence Doe issued acquisitions
upon the supply department, chief of
which was r. j. Whitton, his former
private secretary, for articles intended
for personal use. Lamont is alleged
to have made him and Whitton restore
nearly ZOO in cash and much prop
erty that he thought belonged to the
government.
This included two bicycles. 1t was
found, the dispatch continues, that
1000 war prints were made by the Off
cial stenographer and bound in Russia
leather for him. Furniture was packed
by government officials and shipped to
Janesville.
Among other things, the department
carpenter made ten handsome chests,
two of cedar, two of ash and six of
poplar, for Doe, and two chests of
cedar for Whitton, which had been
packed with articles unknown and
shipped away.
He had also made fine mahogany
gun case, which cost $40 for the mate
rial alone; 25 picture frames and about
forty packing cases, which were packed
full of articles and shipped to James
vile, I'D. Ii" on account of the govern
ment.
Secretary Lamont accidentally dis
covered one day in the carpenters
room large chest sealed and addressed
to Doe at Janesville. When opened by
his orders it was found to contain a
large quantity of fine stationery, suf'
ticient to last Doe the rest of his life,
which had been packed by the store.
keeper on Whitton's requisition.
Col. Lamont had the chest emptied
and its contents restored to the shelves
of the storeroom. There was another
box caught ION the fly" also addressed
to Doe and ready for shipment. When
opened by Col. Lamont's orders it was
| found to contain six fine United States
| flags. One of them was made of silk
and cost the department $500. The
others were of bunting and cost from
$50 to $500 each. They were unpacked
and returned to the shelves.
1t was also reported to Secretary
Lamont that quantity of fine furni-
ture, bookcases, cabinets and writing
desks of mahogony had been shipped to
Janesville, and he had an interview
with Doe on the subject. What oc-
Cured is known only to the two men.
| 1t is understood, however that
Doe made restitution in cash and
that he would have been dis
missed in disgrace but for the interven-
ton of Senator Villas, who interceded
for him with the president. However,
from and after this interview Doe was
practically idle, as far as official bust
ness was concerned. The storekeeper
received instructions to fill no rcquisi-
tons that were not approved by Secre-
tary Lamont himself, and he did not
trust the supplies to the protection of
the ordinary lock and key.
Gen. Joseph ID. Doe Denies the Allegations.
MILWAUKEE, May 4.-Gen. Joseph b.
|