The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-07
HELD ON LIKE GRIM DEATH.
POSTMASTER At CAsON REFUSED
TO TURN OVER HIs OFFICE.

Told His Successor the People Had
Put Him In and the People Would
Have TO Put Him Out-Ex-POstmas-
ter Bruce Required Postmaster
bailey to Produce Special Order
From the Department and when
Letter-Found BY an Inspector Az
ter n MOnth-Bruce Arrested and
Held Under Bond.
A story furnishing an instance of the
pertinacity with which man will hold
on to that which he hath, even in the
face of evil consequences to himself,
found its consummation in the little viii
lage of Cason, in Wilcox county, a day or
two ago, when James L. Bruce was ar
rested for fraudulently retaining letter
addressed to another.
For some years Bruce has been post
master at Cason and seems to have per-
formed the duties devolving upon him in
this capacity 10 the reasonable satisfac-
ton of those who received their mail
there. Last year, however for some rea-
son, whether political or otherwise does
not appear, Bruce became distasteful to
the post office authorities at Washington
and David H. Bailey was appointed to
succeed him.
In January of the present year Bailey
received his commission from the Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General. Armed
with this document he sauntered over 10
the postofice and presented it TO Bruce,
to have the office turned over to him.
Bruce calmly perused the commission
and then as calmly, but very fatty, re-
fused to turn over the office or anything
that it contained. He is said to have told
Bailey that the people had put him in
office and the people would have to put
him out. In the meantime and until he
had become convinced that Bailey had
monopoly ON the voX populi output in that
part of the country, he found himself
quite comfortable, and, as he objected 10
taking unnecessary exertion, didn't pro-
pose TO move a step.
As a compromise he suggested. however,
that Bailey show an order from the post
Office department, directing him to vacats,
and throwing out the possibility OF sur
rendering the government property when
he had seen this order and had time to
mediate upon what had best be done. He
was not very sanguine even about that.
Bailey wrote the Postmaster General,
stating the facts, reciting his inability to
| secure possession to the office to which he
had been appointed and asking that
special authority be sent him. 1t was
sent him. in the shape of an order to
Bruce to vacate and install Bailey. This
order was addressed in a registered pack
age and sent to Bailey.
1t reached the Office at Cason Feb. 9,
but it never reached Bailey. He called
at the office daily and ask specifically for
the package, but, though, he received his
other mail in due course, this particular
letter was never delivered. He could not
imagine what was the matter, and as the
postofIice authorities, to whom he contid
ed his grievances and doubts, We're equal
~ at a loss inspectors were detailed and
directed to look into the situation.
When the office was inspected in March
the inspector found the registered letter
containing the special der hidden among
a mass of old envelopes and other waste
paper. Bruce. 1t is supposed, in his anx-
iety to retain possession of the office,
held the letter back from Bailey and re-
fused to deliver 1t.
Under these circumstances a warrant
for his arrest, for fraudulently retaining
letter addressed to another was sworn
out here before United States Commits
sioner Lewis and entrusted to Deputy
Marshal George II. Thomas for service.
Deputy Thomas arrested Bruce al
Cason, and carried him to Macon, where
he was arraigned before Commissioner
l.. NJ. Erwin, and gave bond for his APP
pearance at the next term of the United
States District Court.
As the Office, in all probability, does
not pay much over 500 per year, it is
difficult to see just wherein its evidently
superior attractions lie. As result OF
his indispostion 20 give up something. he
had been asked, and even urged. to vacate
Bruce has been arrested, and Will
probably be indicted and tried. The law
he is said to have violated, provides a
fine of not more than $500 and imprison-
ment for not more than one year, either
or both. or any part of either or both, m
| the discretion of the court.
| Both the old and the new postmaster
are said to be men of prominence and In
| fluence in the section of the state in which
they live, and their dispute over the Office
| has caused considerable discord and hard
| feeling In the community.