Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-19

here and live ard aid in conquering this
state for American principle and manhood
and Christian civilization The appointment
of such men as Smith does just the opposite.
L concentrates Mormon power and encour-
ages the younger men to obey the priest
hood while ii tends to drive non-Mormons
away for want of employment. l trust
that snmeth hing may yet be done
N. F. G.EMENSON.
Pastor Presbyterian Church.
Postmaster General Smith testified that
the latter sent from the White House
to the Post Office Department. He was not
Postmaster General at that time. and. OF
course. knew nothing of the case He SAID
the department was then receiving from
10000 to 1J.O,D letters daily. He said 1t was
customary TO Jacket and file away papers
received subsequent to the appointment OF
postmaster This letter had been re-
ceived in due course of mail and was not
presented TO any one.
Mr. BriStow's Evidence.
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristnw was then questioned about the
case He said this letter had been briefed
Logan. Utah, n. E. Clemenson agt- Orson
Smith
THAT shows said Mr.. Griggs of Geor-
gia. that the letter was read far enough
to enable some one to tackle it.
Mr. BriStOw suggested that 1t was evil
IDENTITY not read thoroughly, as the brief did
Mr. Swanson of Virginia asked the POST
master General if he was aware of the
charges against these officials prior to the
time when Mr.. Roberts case came up in
Congress
Unaware of the Charges.
The Postmaster General replied in the
negative. When the public charges
made he had written to Mr.. Glenn Miller
United States marshal, who had been
referee in these appointments. Mr. Miller
had replied that Postmaster Graham had
been indicted in the state court for polyga-
my and the trial was coming on. The de-
parJment had decided to await the outcome
of this trial before removing Mr.. Graham.
Well. said Mr.. GrggS of the commit
tee, following the precedent set in the
Roberts case. don't you think you ought
To have excluded him pending his tral?''
But he was already in Office, said Mr.
smith
smith Out of Office.
As to the status of Orson Smith, the
Postmaster General continued that official
went out of the service last May. having
Sot into some commercial difficuitie. and
given up the office 10 his bondsmen.
The Postmaster General then produced g
letter from Mr.. Porter. secretary to the
President. in which il was stated that the
letter of Mr. Ciemenson had been received
and referred to the Post Office Department,
also petition from certain citizens of Utah
against Smith under date of December q.
1877. which sent to the Post Office De-
partment. December "A.
Method of Handling Letters.
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow was then examined as to the
method of handling such letters in his de-
partment. He explained that this letter
had been received and filed away. 1t was
the custom in such cases for the clerk
who handled the mail to call the attention
of the superior officers to any serious
ch1rgoS made against appointee.
Did You have any knowledge of this let
ter" he was asked.
He replied in the negative He never
knew of the existence of the letter until
after it had been mentioned in the Rob
erts ease This appointment was made No
yrmbar 10 1877. prior to the receipt of any
charges of polygamy-
is il possible, asked a member of the
committee for a letter impeaching the
character Of nominee to go through all
The channels Of your Office and be Noted
only by the clerk who jacketed it,?
Yes. il i possible, answered Mr.. Brfs-
yow
Summarizing his statements about the
CsSt Mr.. Rristow said that at the time the
appointment was made neither the Presi-
dent. the Postmaster General nor himself
was aware of any charges of polygamy,
nor was any on file Furthermore that be
tween the time of the nomination and con-
firTnatio of this man neither the President.
the Postmaster General nor himself had
Knowledge of any such charges. The papers
had not been called to their attention up 10
The time of confirmation.
Al the suggestion of Mr.. Swanson, Mr.
Bristow agreed to come before the commits
tee next Tuesday with the post office clerk
who handled the letter.
The petition which was sent to the Presi-
dent December s and referred to the Post
Office Department December "a, according
10 Mir Porters note, was not put in evil
denc- today. owing TO the hour of adjourn
rntnt arriving before the matter was reach
I'd.
Nr. Lentz Insists
During the testimony this morning Mr..
Ientz came IN and AIR. Grosvenors state
ment was read to him. He insisted that he
had correctly quoted Gen Grosvenor; that
the latter most certainly had used the eX-
preston about not allowing grass to grow
urder his feet in looking into the case.
The controversy took a good-natured
turn however. and both the disputants
we're badgered by members Of the commit
tee finally leaving the room together IN
apparent amity.