Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-17


Despite the evident attempt of the
administration to keep the public in
ignorance of the extent OF the Cuban
postal frauds, the truth Is coming to
the light 1t is said that the stealings
may exceed 100000 in amount. and
that they have been going on almost
from the time our Postoflice Department
assumed charge of the postal service in
Cuba. Postmaster Thompson of Havana
has been suspended, and it is said that
Director General of Posts Il. q Rath-
bone is to be superseded by Fourth
Assistant Postmaster. General Bristow.
The career of Rathbone in connection
with these surprising transactions is
decidedly interesting. Previous to 1893
he was upon the government payroll in
several capacities, but between that
year and the beginning OF 1900 little
was heard Of him until he was sent to
Cuba. Some years ago he was special
agent Of the Pension Bureau and later
connected with the Secret Service. He
halls from Hamilton, Ohio, where he
was prominent in Republican politics.
As a government detective he gained
quite reputation for his shrewdness
and was especially well known in Gin
cipnati, indianapolis and Chicago,
which comprised his district.
Cleveland's election in 1884 curbed
Rathbone's ambition, but in 1888, with
the incoming Of the Harrison admins
trstion, bs sought the Fourth Assistant
Postmaster. Generalship and got it.
Four years later the election OF Cleve-
land put Rathbone out of his position,
and he remained SO for the first two
years of the Mckinley administration,
when finally he was sent to Cuba as
Director-General of Posts. 1t was said
that Senator Hanna was responsible for
this appointment, but Postmaster
General Smith practically denied this
in an article recently contributed to a
weekly publication, in which he him
self took the credit for the appoint
nient, made on the grounds of Rath-
bones peculiar fitness for the place.
Mr.. Rathbone reached Havana il
December, 1898, Just before the
SpBniards evacuated the island. He
took modest apartments, lived in O
frugal manner and assumed Office early
in January, 1899. His work was of q
thoroughly businesslike character. He
could appoint and remove postmasters,
fix salaries and make contracts. He
made periodical reports to the Governor.
General which appeared to show
nothing except the receipts and dis
bursements.
1t IS alleged that Rathbone soon tool
a house in the Cerro for $1,000 year
the rental, it is further alleged, beint
charged up against the Cuban posta
revenues. Soon afterward, it is de
clared, Rathbone had carriage, a team
of horses and footman and his socia
functions became features of ofiicia
life in Havana.
While Mr.. Rathbone could rails
salaries Of others, he applied to tn
Postmaster General for an increase o
from "a, 600 to Sc, 500, which was grantee
late last year. Aside from this, hi
house rent was free, and, it is alleged
his allowance for personal expenses wa
50 FER diem. In the meantime the De
partment of Posts was expanding an,
the expenses of running it became YER
great, reaching, it is said, full
$500. 900 year, which was largely il
salaries.
When General Brooke announced hi
desire to be relieved Mr.. Rathbone wa
an applicant for the post of Governor
General, but the appointment G
Governor-G General Wood disappoInte
his ambitions.
And in this manner, and by sue
schemers, have we been illustrating I
the people of Cuba the blessings {
good government. 1t is no wonder ths
they laugh in derision. And shout
they demand a change and the placin
of their government in their own hant
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