The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-17
HuNEYcuxaEp WITH FRAUD.
Disclosures OF RottenLess in the Postal
system.

An order has been issued relieving
from duty Mr.. Il. q. Rathbone, direG =
tor general OF posts IN Ouba, under
whose administration the frauds re-
Gently disclosed have occurred, result
ing In an embezzlement Of funds esti-
mated at hundreds OF thousands Of dol.
lars, and bringing shame and humila.
tion upon the American government in
Cuba.
CAREER OF DIRECTOR RATHBoNE.
The career OF e. G. Rathbone. dirtc.
tor general of the department Of posts.
10 an interesting story. He had been
outside the official breastworks in the
United States from 1893 TO 1900 For
long time prev lsly he was on the
government payroll He was special
agent of the Pension Bureau. and later
an official Of the Secret Service An
Ohio man, he attained prominence by
participation In Republican politics.
He was known for his shrewdness
Oleveland's election in 1884 gave set
back TO RathboDe's political prospects
but he continued to prosper. Upon the
triumph Of Harrison in 1888 the erst.
while Secret Service man-the shrewd
government agent, who had run down
counterfeiters and the like. again sought
reward at the hands Of his party. He
was older now. and aimed higher. He
asked for the Fourth Assistant Postmas-
ter Generalship and got 1t He was
more or less prominent in official life
in Washington during HArrison's ad-
ministration.
But Cleveland 8 election In 1892 again
took Mr.. Rathbone Off the payroll.
Thenceforth affairs did not appear TO
run smoothly with him. He was out In
the cold cold world. The period from
1898 to 1897 was particularly hard one
for many Republicans Of Mr. Rathbone's
class. They missed the semi.monthly
disbursements from the Treasury. Save
for the part he played in Hsnna's cleo
tion In Ohio the Hamilton man was
collapsed for two years following Presi-
dent McKinley's election.
Bot he was not to remain in eclipse
forever His appointment TO the posi-.
tion Of director general OF posts in Cuba
came late In the year 1898. People said
that the political influence behind Mr..
Rathbone was Senator Hanna. Nun
Gle, Ind proved particularly fertile in
the high order Of talent and training
demanded for the emergency, and that
town gave TO the service the gifted e.
nancier, Mr. o. +. W Nicely the mis-
guided Mr.. Oorrydon Ricb, and one or
two lesser lights.
Mr.. Rathbone started in well in HA-
vana. He took modest apartments and
lived frugally. Not until he had made
O tour Of the island, TO inspect its post
offices, did change come over Mr..
Rathbone 1t seemed to dawn upon
him that only the governor general
ranked him In official importance. He
could appoint and remove postmasters
fix salaries and make contracts at will
Realizing the authority vested In
him, Rathbone utilized 10 10 the limit
He took o house ct SO 900 a year. This
rental was charged up against the o.
ban postal revenues.
The director general soon had q car
rage and team Of horses likewise a
footman He began TO entertain. He
out q social figure second only Ia i'm
portanoe TO the governor general. Mr.
Rathbona's salary at that time was
g., OOO-only ~ ,OC0-but, then, the
house was provided. his allowances were
liberal, and he succeeded in worrying
along. A per diem personal expense
allowance Of g. helped him to make both
ends meet. and when he travelled all his
expenses were paid. One Of his trips to
the United States cost the government
over 81 900. His stepson. young Mr..
Milliken, was on the payroll at 81 800,
and 10 January he came home TO go to
college.
Ali this time o. f. W. Nicely, was
Director Rathbone's right.hand man.
He was In full charge Of the finances
of the Department. From 81, 800 his
salary was raised TO 50 800, then TO s., 600
and ultimately to SO. 800.
Shortly afterwards the Postmaster
General raised Rathbone's salary from
"a, 600 TO 50 300 His head was COM
pletely turned. Nicely doomed" him
for Governor. General Of Cuba, and he
doomed" Nicely for Auditor Their
plans fell through, the disclosures
came, and now the rottenness Of their
partisan regime has been exposed. and
the crash has come.