The San Francisco call., 1899-11-04
NO REASON FOR
ALEXANDER To
TAKE HIS LIFE
Was in No Danger of
Being Deposed.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
q0S broadway Nov 2


An inquest will be held tomorrow even
ing in the case of c. o. Alexander who
committed suicide by drowning last night.
In a letter written to his wife the assist
ant postmaster shows that he had on
Wednesday afternoon made up his mind
to end his life In this letter Alexander
said that in view Of the instnuations and
rumors that were being passed around
concerning his character, he had decided
it was better to leave the scene of his
troubles
That there was something wrong with
Alexander's work in the postoffice is not
denied by anybody, but it was merely
backwardness in clerical work, and all as
sert that there is not particle of foun-
dation for any story that he was short in
his accounts.
Postmaster Friend has made very
thorough examination of the office and
declares that Alexander was never dis
honest.
counted the money in the office quite Of
ten but that was my duty, and in no way
reflected upon Mr.. Alexander. Nothing
occurred yesterday to irritate Mr. Alex
ander, who went out as usual at noon for
his lunch, but did not come back. AS 1t
was, the little trouble that the inspector
found regarding the report could have
been settled up very easily, and before he
committed suicide his best friends had
undertaken to settle the matter at Wash
ington."
Postal Inspector Irwin found the ac,
counts correct yesterday when Mr.. Friend
made his settlement for October at the
United States Sub-Treasury., The sensa-
tional report that Alexander had got
away with large amount of money is
baseiess. senator stratton, Congressman
Metcalf and Senator Perkins, as soon as
they heard of Alexander's difficulty with
the Postal Inspector; came TO ms rellef
ries that were being circulated on the
street, but Alexander was an extremely
highstrung and sensitive man and could
not live to see himself disgraced
Senator Perkins. who recommended the
appofntment of Mr.. Alexander as assist
ant postmaster, said this morning that
the only trouble with the office was that
reports and accounts were not brought ur
to date This is shown by the fact that
one balance sheet showed an excess OF
$500 in Alexander's favor, while another
one showed $500 against MIN, ana When en-, al,
was settled up the accounts were found
IT wish to say" said Senator Perkins
that the circumstances under which
Alexander was appointed have often beer
misrepresented. Mr.. Hilborn. who was
then Congressman, Joined with me in the
recommendation of Mr.. Friend for post
master | have the highest opinion of Mr.
Friend believing him to be an honest
man. Mr. Hilborn also Joined with me in
recommending Mr. Alexander, but we ex-
acted no pledge from Friend TO appoint
Alexander"
Rev. c. NJ Mel. an Episcopal minister
of Sacramento. who offfciated at the wed
ding of Mr.. and Mrs. Alexander ten years
ago will conduct the funeral services at
the residence Gf the deceased in East
Oakland on Sunday afternoon The widow
has selected the following pail bearers:
A. H Small Rudolph Spreckels, w. B.
Hamilton. E. M Hall, Victor II. Metcalt
and F. S. Stratton.
Postmaster Friend has temporarily
placed ex-Assistant Postmaster Martin In
charge of the Office recently presided over
by Mr.. Alexander.