Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-27
FTER THE OFFICIALS,
Civil Service People Investigating
the Charges Against Them
AFF|DAv|TS ARE BEING TAKEN.
Willing Witnesses Tell About the Acts
Of Those in Federal 0ffGeS.
INSPECTOR ALSO GETS EVIDENCE.
He Hears the Statements of Messrs.
Knight, Grubbs. and Othcrs-secre-
tary Doyle Discusses His Inquiry
and Make. Interesting Statements.
knight, Grubb

Very curious Is the anomaly presented
by the double-barrelled investigation Of
Federal officials now in progress in this
city. 1T is unprecedented and very un-
fortunate" said Secretary Doyle. Of the
Civil-Service Commission, to a Dispatch
reporter last night. "It is the custom
for the departments TO cooperate with
the commission, for there is only one OBJ
iect TO be conserved" the Secretary
added.
And so II happens that in the post
office Inspector Smith, representing the
Post-Ofice Department sits taking depo-
sitons. which will completely exculpate
Postmaster Knight and in a bedroom of
the jefferson Hotel Secretary Doyle and
Law-Clerk Wales. representing the Civil
Service Commission, with George A. War
ren. Of Washington, stenogrlpher, sit,
taking depositions Of quite a different
character.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.
The only difference between the two
enquiries is that the one conducted by
Inspector Smith is into the conduct OF Mr..
Wray T. Knight and his assistant. Mr..
John L. Grubbs. while that at the JEFF
ferson concerns all those officials against
whom complaints have been lodged, in
Guiding Marshal Treat, Stamp-Deputy
Smith. and Deputy Campbell. as well as
the postmaster and his assistant
Inspector Smith will conclude his inves-
L
delayed by the authors of the charges
against Mr. Knight, who have been asked
to make depositons, and were not able
to do so yesterday. because Of the arrival
Of the other investigators, and their de-
sire to be present while the plan of pro-
cedure was being discussed. Clinton. at
| least, says he will appear before the
post-Office inspector to-day, and it is
probable that some others will also con-
| sent to make depositions.
ONE WILL EXONERATE HIM.
1t IS stated unofficially, but on undenia-
| BILE authority, that the evidence heard by
| the Inspector has been Overwhelmingly
in favor of Mr.. Knight. tending to exon
| crate him completely Of the three charges
1
! investigating committee of the Ciyil-Ser-
| vice Commission.
| In reply TO question as 10 why the
| civil-service investigation was not being
| conducted i'm the Federal building, Sec
| retary Doyle said that il had been de-
| cided TO hold a conference with thOs,
| who have brought the charges for the
| purpose Of outlining a plan of procedure
| There was some fear AT first that perhap:
| the hotel management might object 10 tn,
| presence Of negroes but when the matter
| was presented 10 them, they said there
| would be no objection as long as they
| were respectable colored men and be
| havcd themselves properly.
| MANY DISPOSITIONS TAKEN.
The conference lasted all day, and was
renewed after supper last night. II wa'
! not merely a conference, however fol
| depositions were made by Mr.. OTIS Rus
| sell, Dr. Jones, James Bahen, j. II. Pow
| ell, and Charles Johnson. Jr. At nigh
]. III. HAYES and John Clinton, Jr, were
also on hand.
| Mr.. Russell Is not taking exactly lead
ing part in the investigation. Mr.. Doyl
is a close personal friend of Mr. Russell s
and he says that gentleman IS neithe
| chief witness nor prosecuting attorney
but ne is rlghteously indignant that Office
holders should take an active part II
politics. a thing which should not, m
thinks be tolerated for an instant.
| The charges preferred against the Office
holders are the leyying OF assessments
coercion in politics, and prOstitutlng tn
FEDERAL building TO serve their own ends
i'm matters political. The written charges
with the specifications, cover four page
OF typewritten manuscript
SCOPE OF THE INQUIRY.
The investigating commission ha
mower only 10 hear and TO report on IN
tyyo latter changes, but II they are con
| yinced of the reasonableness or the mrs
charge. that Of levying assessments IN
evidence will be submitted 10 the Attoi
nev-General. who will In turn reter
10 the District Attorney, VINO VIII see
~ have the guilty parties indicted. VI
Doyle says this IS by no means uiluSut
and many precedents exist where IN
| person convicted mas peeh seH'e"0eu
, IMPRISONMENT and fine.
II the second charge is proved, 1t
= cause for removal from office, and proc
oe the third charge is matter for DIS
cinline Secretary Doyle says further ina
~ contention OF Marshal Morgan Trea
tbat his office is not under civil ser
vice rules. is i'll taken. He admits, how
ever that it IS a matter Of controvers!
WILL BE GIVEN HEARING.
Secretary Doyle says that he may pos
sibly make application for room
the Federal building to-day, In when
, | conduct the investigation. The oiilcei
attacked In tho charges are to be give
hearing FOR the commission, say
Secretary Doyle. Is by no means cor
: ducting a prosecution. but seekin
merely 10 ascertain the facts In the cas-
The possible refusal Of officers to me-
,he charges in consideration Of II
source from which they emanated, ha
never occurred 10 Secretary Doyle an
a be said that in all his experiences Il
r officers were only too glad 10 be e.
r or,ined and 10 testify in their own b
Il haiT Their refusal to do so could on
y ho construed as an acknowledgment
: guilt
e MAY LAST SEVERAL DAYS.
The investigation will certainly Ia
through to-day. and possibly longer Il
task before the commission Is mu'
heavier than was expected.