Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-06-07


aries sinecures For Job Lot of
G. o. p. Henchmen--AbIe Men From
the Lone Star State-Tv0 Republic
an "Goyernors''-The Paper Trust.
Especial Washington Letter.l
Scandal, larceny and peculation!
That story increases as the days go by.
If the Democrats had had a working
majority in this house. we would have
unearthed enough Republican rascality
and corruption to have carried the pres
idential election by at least 100 major
ity in the electoral college. Such a
sweep would have given us the senate
also. AS for the house, there would
not have been enough Republicans in
the Fifty-seventh congress to have
called for the yeas and nays. No ques-
ton that Lyman ]. Gage, secretary of
the treasury, could have been impeach-
ed and convicted for high crimes and
misdemeanors in connection with the
Hepburn bank ring.
Many persons have been hugging to
their hearts the pleasant delusion that
all the corruption is confined to Repub-
liean officials in Cuba and other out
lying provinces, but it appears that all
such fond and patriotic hopes are to be
blasted. 1t seems that the postoffice
department, especially the Washington
city postofice, has been and Is the
nesting place of the corrupt parasites
of certain high and mighty Republican
statesmen, place to quarter their un-
savory retainers upon the government
where they can feed at the public crib
until they are as obese as Dickens
fat boy, although not so sleepy as
was that drowsy youth. No intention
is entertained of casting any reflection
herein upon the character or honesty
of Hon. Charles Emory Smith, post
master general. In my Judgment he is
an honorable and brilliant man, but
unless the Washington Post is the
most shameless liar since Ananias and
Sapphira had that Ill starred land
transaction not only should a congress
sional investigation committee get in
its work on the Washington city post
Office, but the grand jury would find
lots of materials on which to base in
dictments for felony. The postoffice
scandals are likely to rival the Star
Route scandals in odoriferousness. Now,
Republican swashbucklers and organ
grinders, with Mark Hanna's Doodle
jingIing in their pockets. need not rash
ly cry out that all this is campaign
lie, cooked up by free silver anarchists
for election purposes.
Feeders at the Public Crib.
The Washington Post makes the
charges, and it is by long odds the
most ably edited paper in America
friendly to the Mckinley administra-
ton. 1t says:
Following are some of the allegations that call
for inquiry:
Funds of the Washington city postofice have
been improperly disbursed for over two years, the
irregularities for the quarter ending Sept. 80,
1898, amounting to 10000 to $50, 600, according
to experts report to Comptroller Tracewell.
Numerous favorites have been carried on two
and even three pay rolls at the same time at the
Washington city postofice and at other postofnces
in the country. Oliver H. Smith of Indiana,
superintendent in the local service, Tor about
year simultaneously auditor of local postal sta
tions, aborer and painter Of street letter boxes.
He drew three salaries. Nathan r. % Baker Of
Indiana succeeded to Mr.. Smiths emoluments.
Six women have long been carried the rolls
Of the city postofice cleaners at $500 year,
performing no work whatever and being paid on
separate vouchers. Four for many
months paid at the local postoHice, apparently to
investigate claims of letter carriers all the posi-
tions being sinecures.
John L. Jones. newspaper reporter, was car
ried for many months as physician to the Wash
ington city postoffce at $1.700 year.
Travelling expenses Of department officials who
were not on public business trips for private citi
only nominslly connected with the govern
ment service, have been paid to the extent OF
tens Of thousands of dollars out Of funds strictly
belonging to the Washington pestcfice and out of
the military postal fund.
II the postmaster general wishes to thoroughly
investigate the affairs here referred to, The Post
suggests that he secure the testimony OF the fol-
lowing witnesses among others:
Joseph L. Bristow, fourth assistant postmaster
general.
Chief Inspector Cochran of the pOstOfHce de-
partment
George W. Beavers chief Of the salary and al
lowanee division.
A. IL. Scott, now in this city, who was the
former chief Of that division.
Seymour W. Tulloch, formerly cashier OF the
Washington city postofiee, but suddenly dis
charged after many years Of faithful service.
Mr.. J. Edwin Wilson. formerly assistant post
master of Washington, but now an employee in
the census bureau.
Thomas W. Gilmer. resident Of this city.
There is nothing mealy mouthed or
equivocal about that excerpt from The
Post. The charges are direct and spe-
eific. The witnesses are named. Shall
we have an investigation that viii in
yestlgate or one that will bring forth
IN exquisite and artistic piece Of white
wash?
Serious Charges Made.
Again The Post makes this serious
charge:
r,oI;.{o.l ine,onoa a,5 The oreft ~ roI;fieal