The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-04
JUST A POLITICAL RAID
LITTLE SMOKE, LESS FIRE, IN THE
BONNELL a
Actual Status of the C~nse-Fort Wayne
Democratic Row-Conventfons
Held ut Various Points.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
TERRE HAUTE, Ind, April 3.-The SEN
sational stories about charges against Col
lector of Internal Revenue BonneIl have
simmered to one formal charge and a lot of
gossip. The formal written charge sent to
the national Civil-service Commission was
made by two Democratic gaugers, who said
hat Collector Bonnell had disseminated
against Democrats In laying of men when
work was light. President Proctor. of the
commission, wrote TO them that this was a
matter wholly with the collector and not a
violation of the civil-service rules. Collec-
tor Bonnet had made inquiry at the office
of the commissioner of internal revenue
more than a month ago, when the Demo-
cratic gaugers protested against being laid
of. and the commissioner informed the col
lector that il was a matter entirely within
his discretion.
On March "A Special Examiner Covell, of
the Civil-service Commission. was in Terre
Haute for a few hours and the complaining
gaugers talked with him. Ii was what was
said TO him that is made sensational and as
IL formally preferred to the commission
They said that Collector Bonnell was gull
~ of ''pernlcious political activity in his
own conduct; that he had sent subordi-
mates into other counties to do political
work while on pay from the government;
that the office vas run on a go-as-you-
please policy and that the pay rolls had
been padded.
Collector Bonnell says all these charges
are baseless. As to the conduct of his
ONCE, he refers TO the report made by Spe-
cial Agent BerCh, who was here a few
weeks ago, and who reported that in his
t-wenty-seven years service he had not
found an office better up with its work. He
said he would give the office a No. l.
rating check. which Is the first time IL ever
was so highly rated. As a result of that
r. port Collector Bonnell has received a
complimentary letter from the commission
er 81 internal revenue.
When Mr.. Covell was here he told Col
lectOr BOnnell that he was clearly within
his authority in making assignments OF
gaugers and stOrekeepers. Mr.. Covell said
to the collector that some of the men had
reported 10 him that Storekeeper cromwell
had received pay from the government
while ne was travelling in the West in
search or a missing relative Collector
BOnnell explained that CromwelFs fellow
employees had agreed TO do his work and
that this was not consented to until after
the collector had been informed that IL was
frequently done In the service. Collector
Bonnel says that Mr.. Covell then said that
II was all right if the government had not
paid double for the service.
The men who talked with Covell against
COLLECTED Bonnell say that he told them
hand. and advising them TO stand firm in
their opposition, assuring them that he
would recommend a rigid Investigation.
Collector BOnnel and others I'm the office
force cannot believe this, because he talked
diner entity 10 them.
To-day II was learned that one purpose
OF the special examiners visit was 10 in
vestigate a charge against Judge d. w.
Henry. Collector Bonnells predecessor.
The charge filed with the commission was
that Collector Henry had appointed a COM
mittee OF three employees TO collect political
assessments. Mr.. COvell said to three gem
tlemen here that the charge was a serious
one and that he believed the federal grand
jury would return an indictment. as II was
In direct line with the case OF ex-Collector
Sapp, at Louisville. who was indicted after
he left the Office
The Gazette has treated the Bonnell
charges in a reckless way and with sensa-
tional headlines has told the public that
Mr.. Bonnell Is corrupt and no better
than a criminal. He says he did not come
10 Terre Haute to assume a prominent part
In local politics. but had hoped to gain the
respect of the people OF the city. For that
reason he feels keenly the manner I'm which
he Is held up before people whose only
knowledge OF him may come from reading
such articles.