The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-26

accounts Of the unbonded postmaster
were required, remittances being entered
"a cash sales, and the only Information
the auditors Office had Of these transac-
lions came from Nicely himself.
There was no check whatever on his
sactions.
From the accounts examined the re-
port says the minimum of NeeIy's en-
bezzlements may be summarized as fol-
lows
Shortage as shown by his own
records bUu
Excess Of credit by destruction of
unchanged stamps definitely
aScecIalned 100000 ----------.- IOl-113
Total ....-....- .-...-.......-s 1s1. 71s
This viii be Increased by the discov-
cry of sales of surcharged stamps, but
viii not exceed $50 900 IN the aggregate.
The report says that Rathbone ap-
pointed Nelly, who had custody of the
stamps; Reeves. the only man who could
have q check on NeeIy's transactions.
and D. Warheld, chew of the bureau of
registration, commission TO destroy
the Surcharged stamps. OF which Nicely
had s52. COO and that Nicely and Reeves
entered into conspiracy to report q
larger quantity OF stamps destroyed
than were actually destroyed
But, the report says, NeeIy's fraudu-
lent transactions We're not confined to
these embezzleu1ents. and while the
amounts y ere small, compared with the
latter, they show the same official de-
rereSts Of the public service"
The report sets forth the details Of
numerous transactions with Neely's
printing house at Munc1e Ind through
which the government was charged
large sums for printing and much
smaller amounts remitted to the print
ers. It is also shown that Nicely bought
furniture through an Indianapolis house
to be sent to Cuba and that the firm al
lowed him 4 commission Of S2-132 on
a. SHASTA bill of goods.
After showing that Nicely was dnau-
cia1ly embarrassed wnen he went to
Cuba. and that his salary was only $3.50
q month, the report deals at consider
able length with the speculative ven
lures into which Nicely branched out in
Cuba They included the West Indian
Trading company. in which he invested
81, 500.a brick plant at Havana in which
he invested 100000, and some mining
schemes in South America.
Mr. BriStow submits evidence that
NeeIy's thefts began after be went to
Cuba.
A report says that c. M. Rich who
was brought to Cuba as Neely's assist
ant, told Mr. Rathbone that Nicely was
crooked Rathbone denied any such
information
The report says. "-Rich claims to be
innocent, but he at least had knowledge
Of NeeIy's entertainments long before
he claims to have told Rzthbone- Reeves
confessed that Nicely paid him "a. 500 for
cOncsaIiug the fraud in the destruction
Of the stamps Both Rich and Reeves
protest against any criminal designs
How much credit should be given to
their statements, II is difficult TO de-
termine'
December IL 1895, when Rathbone was
appointed director general OF posts. his
salary was fixed at 81 009. Ar his request
the postmaster general allowed him a
per diem Of IS in addition He claimed
this was not sufficient and June 10 the
postmaster general increased the salary
TO IS. 500 with notification that with the
~. r-zz@ GO
July 3, RaEhbone asked for an official
residence This also was allowed De-
cember -. the postmaster general Off
ciaIly fixed Rathbone's salary at $500,
making II effective August L But al
though the per diem was cut or Rath-
bone continued TO draw il When called
down by Colonel Burton for his author
fty for this allowance RathbOne sub
uitted the letter, SuppresSing that part
Of it prohibiting the per diem
The bills rendered for furniture for
the official residence, the reports. say,
contain many items such as charges for
trunk, gloves, deg collar. Overcoats hats,