Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-15
CUBAN POSTAL FRAUDS.
]. L. Bristow will Take Charge ia cuba-Pap'
ers at New York tot Nicely.

ers at New York tot Nicely.
Washington, May 1.-THE postmast-
err general after a protracted interview
with the President. today. announced
that Joseph l.. Bristow, fourth assist
ant postmaster general, would proceed
to Havana. next Wednesday, 70 take
charge of the postal affairs of cuba.
The postmaster general declined to say
whether or not Director General of
Posts Rathbone would be suspended.
It is said. however, that the fact that
Gen Director BristoW will assume these
duties does not necessarily indicate
that Mr. Rathbone viii be relieved Of
all connection with the service. Gen.
BristoW outranks the director Of posts
and the latter might operate as sub
ordinate. though on this point no state
ment is vouchsafed. The letter direct
ing the fourth assistant to proceed to
Cuba is dated May l..
New York, May 14.-United States
District Attorney Burnett. received, to-
day, the requisition papers Of Gen.
Wood for the extradition of Chas. r.
w. Nicely, who is accused Of having
defrauded the revenues while inahcldi
agent of posts in Cuba. John d. Llld-
say, counsel for Nicely, who had an or
der to inspect them from Attorney
General Grigs, was allowed 10 Make
notes upon them. After reading them
Mr.. Lindsay informed Cen Burnett
that he would oppose the granting OF
eXtradition papers, on the GROUNDS as
cited, and Gen. Burnett telegraphed the
governor asking him to name day
for a hearing on the document.
Havana. MAY 1.-THE extent of the
postal frauds is far greater than what
was believed Besides taking IN the postal
department, the frauds seem 70 lhciude
the local office at Havana and various
other offices throughout the island ana
also to have extended to outside points
which have been used for the sale OF some
of the old issue of stamps that were or
dered destroyed.
The result OF the investigation at the
local post office IS the suspension Of fpSt-
master Thompson, who was Installed III
April 1899. He Will remain at ms own
house for the present. Moya and Mas
caro-. stamp sellers in the main once
have also been arrested ANA further ar
rests are expected, tomorrow As many
as six others have been placed under the
closest supervision and they VIII be ar
rested as soon as their services can Be
spared. AS matter of fact, If they were
all to be suddenly relieved of duty If
would not be possible 10 carry on the
postal department from Havana. Messrs.
Reeves and Reynolds, the auditors OF the
postal department, are still under arrest
at their rooms in charge of detectives.
Special quarters will, however. be pre-
pared in some fortresses where all the
prisoners connected with the frauds VIII
be taken as soon as arrested.
Todavs arrests and the suspension Oh
Mr.. Thompson did not take place unth
after dark and consequently these new
nf he not generally
known throughout the city, this evening,
hut there is a perceptible excitement NJ
the post office, where no one knows VINO
NAV be the next to be singled out.
II. q. RathbOne desires The Associated
Press to say that there Is no truth II the
report circulated in the United STATES
mat there is friction between the mill
tary authorities here and the postal de-
partment. On the contrary, the most
complete harmony prevails pet "ten. liio d,
In the city. He also says ne does no'
consider il proper, in the present clfCunn-
stances, to give out interviews ior PUBL
cation and has so answered al applIcd-
tions for personal statements that nave
heen caDled him from the United states
Mr.. Sheridan will temporarily I'LL MI
Thornpsons place. 1t appears thdt tne
frauds ramiiied in almost every possible
direction, even the rented boxes nay
I,4n made 4 source Of ilegitimate gain
EVERY additional revelation increases ne
amazement Of the Americans here. lhe
t,uhans seem to DC Immensely pIcaS'd'
They declare that the Americans can NJ
Jnngpr boast in cuba Of their superior
hnnestv when in governments employ
Washington. May If-Edward Thonp-
SIN Inc SUSPENDED Pn~tmlS al Ia
vanl, is one ii the hest-lno@ii men i! IN IN, IN
indjy'l;II,Ifs post office and was post
master under the Harrison admins r.-
ton. lie served in The civil war IN Sim
IIarrisuu-S command. IT. WI ,aupolh't"
postmaster ut Havana siN months oI'-
Muncie. Ind. May ll.-CharIe1, L, Nrrt%
derIrted for NV York. I#tc today. i' XII
t'vi,,n Ynstal frauds ease. Thursday +.
Nrev assured his friends that he would
be home again as usual and Quite a NAM
Der were At the station To hld hln I'i'u'