The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-05-18
THE CUBAN SCANDAL.
Havana's Postmaster and Three
Other Persons Now in Jail.
Four Postal Inspectors Have Begun
the Work of InvestigatiOn-Ad-
ditiOnaI Facts Brought Out
BY Every Arrest Made.

Havana, May 15.-Ihe extent OF the
postal frauds is far greater than what
was originally expected. Besides tax
ing in the postal department, the
frauds seem to include the local Off
GERS at Havana and various other Of
ficers throughout the island. and also
to have extended to outside points
which have been used for the sale of
some of the old issue of stamps that
were ordered destroyed.
The result of the investigation at
the local post office is the suspension
OF Postmaster Thompson, who was
Installed in April of last year. He viii
remain at his own house for the pres
cnt. Moya and Mascara, stamp sellers
in the main Office, have also been ar
rested, and further arrests are expect
ed soon. As many as six others have
been placed under the closest surveil-
lance, and they will be arrested as
soon as their services can be spared.
A. matter of fact, if they were all
10 be subsequently relieved of duty,
it would not be possible to carry on
the postal department of Havana.
Washington, May 15.-The postmas-
ter general, after a protracted inter
view with the president, announced
that Joseph L. Bristow, fourth assist
ant postmaster general, viii proceed
to Havana next Wednesday to take
charge of the postal affairs of the
island of Cuba
! Havana, May 17.-Warrants were is
sued for the arrest of E. p Thomp-
son, the Havana postmaster; w. II.
Reeves. deputy auditor of the island,
| and Edward Moya and Jorge Mascara,
| Cuban clerks in the stamp depart
ment, and all were lodged in the Vi
vac, the Tombs of Havana. This was
done under the advice of the postal
| inspectors. 1t is considered now that
Reeves is equally guilty with Nicely.
| Investigation as to the record of the
clerk in the military department who
! handled several hundred dollars
worth of stamps proves that the
| transaction, so far as he is concerned,
was legitimate. The stamps were pur-
chased at the request of his brother.
who is stamp collector in the Unit
ed States, for $500. They were of the
| old issue and were obtained from
Needy.
The arrest of Thompson caused
great surprise in the city. 1t is looked
upon as the precursor of many other
arrests. Gen. Wood felt, as did the
special inspectors, that it would be
better to have the suspected persons
arrested, and to give the men oppor-
tunity to obtain bail. than to keep
them indefinitely under close surveil-
! lance at time when the detectives
are badly needed for other work.
AS the affair stands now, Mr..
| Thompson's career in the postal SER
vice must necessarily cease, even if
he escapes a term of imprisonment
Moreover, his action in giving orders
! to postal clerks to alter figures re-
| gading stamps at the request of Cor
rydon Rich, without notifying Mr..
Rathbone, makes things look worse,
even if ne acted innocently in the be-
! lief that everything was correct.
-Four postal inspectors arrived here
and, after conferences with Gen. Wood
| and Mr.. KathDOne, Immediately began
| work. Mr.. Rathbone declares there
! is not the slightest jealousy between
the military authorities and the post
department here and that Gen. Wood
and himself are working in harmony.
Early developments connected with
the frauds, it is asserted, tend to show
the far-reaching influence of Nicely,
and every man who is placed under
arrest brings to light additional facts.
each one seems willing TO tell all he
knows regarding Nicely, while endea-
voring to eXOnerate himself. The
only person, however, who viii be ac-
eepted by the authorities as a witness
for the state is COrrydon Rich, who
will not be placed in Jail, but will be
closely watched, as it is felt that his
testimony is absolutely indispensable.