The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1900-05-26


in the senate, upon the Ba con resolu-
ton for an inquiry into the postal ir-
Irregularities in Cuba, Senator Platt, OF
Connecticut, made public a letter of
instruction given to Mr.. Bristow upon
his departure for Cuba. The letter IN
as follows:
Thc letter of Instruction.
May l6. 19o0.-Hon. Joseph l.. Bristow,
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General,
Sir: experimenting my letter or May H.
directing you to proceed at once to Cuba,
the following further Instructions are
given for your guidance. i.
You will Immediately on your arrival
at Havana confer freely and fully with
keep in constant communication with him
in the work on which you enter. You will
cooperate with the military governor
both in the investigation of all Irregular
ties in the postal service of Cuba and in
any measures for the reorganization OF
the system that may be undertaken.
The examination by the inspectors, al
ready provided for. will have begun be-
fore your arrival. You will assume gem
eral supervision of this examination, and
will enforce the instructions heretofore
given that 1t shall be of the most search
ing and thorough character. If you find
that you need a still larger force for the
prompt and complete performance of this
duty, you will call for it.. The investiga-
" W III aho hAAhattt
covering every branch of the service and
all classes of officials. Its prosecution
must be governed solely by the purpose OF
ascertaining the truth and the whole
truth, and 1t must be incorporating and
unsparing.
Besides supervising the investigation in
cooperation with the military governor.
1t will be your duty to examine the or
ganization of the postal service, with its
system of checks and balances, and re-
port what greater or additional safe
pt, r1c he nrnxrtIa1 TrndAr the upc-
tenn established at the beginning of the
American occupation of Cuba, the ad-
ministrative side of the service was
placed under the control of this depart
ment, and the auditing or checking side
under the control of another. This is the
system OF the United States government.
This irregularities and populations
apparently accomplished because officers
appointed by and responsible to different
departments and who should have been a
fusion and conspiracy to perpetrate these
wrongs, on the one side, and to pass and
cover them up on the other. You will
carefully investigate by what defects Of
supervision or defense they were con-
summated, and what further measures Of
protection In the passing and auditing of
accounts and in the handling of public
funds and property may be needed. 1t Is
desired also that the central organiza,
ton of the postal service in Cuba shall
receive your special attention. You will
cAbfIiilt DIS 10 WneIneT IL 1S FRAMED IN the
best manner for efficient administration.
You will see whether, compatibly with a
good mail service for the people, and re-
trenchments can be made, and whether
economies can be effected by a consolida-
ton AND reduction of bureaus. 1t is de-
sired to. bring the postal expenditures
within the postal revenues. so far as may
be consistent with the obligation of 90
viding a satisfactory mail service.
Your presence in Cuba, as the repre-
sentative of the department, with these
Instructions, makes you the ranking Of
fcer OF the postal administration. You
Will consider and advise what removals
or other action may be required in the
cause of justice, for the interest of the
government and the people of Cuba, and
for the welfare of the service.
You are chosen for this duty with the
approval of the president, who is deeply
shocked at the shameful betraya of trust
on the part Of officials in whom confidence
had been reposed, and who directs that in
dealing with all Irregularities which have
been or may be disclosed, the sole rule
OF action shall be thorough and complete
investigation, the rigorous and unspar-
ing. prosecution of all guilty persons. and
their swift and condign punishment.
You will communicate these instruc-
tons to Gen. Wood. keeping him fully in
formed as you proceed, and reporting reg
ularly to the department.
Respectfully Yours,
lSigned.l CHARLES EMORY SMITH.
Postmaster General.