The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-04
el at London

auditors office, reports some curious in
stances of the sense of official RESPONSE
bility on the part Of the Cubans. He says
that it will be very difficult for the provi-
sional government to furnish a proper ac-
counting to the new republic, but he as
sumes that it will be accomplished in some
satisfactory, if not wholly. accurate fash
ion.
Mr.. Matthews relates how he was sent TO
one small place in the interior 10 discover
why a new signature had begun 10 appear
on the money orders at the place where the
postmaster should sign. Postmasters at the
smaller towns are only paid 81 a month,
and the compensation is largely in the
great honor involved. The assistants serve
for nothing and furnish bonds. 1t is not
unusual to have miX-ups where such care
less business methods prevail. At the same
time he was a little shocked at the reason
he discovered for the change in signatures
on the money orders. He went to the man
who was appointed postmaster and asked
him why he was not signing the communi-
cations TO the general office any longer.
Il am not postmaster any more" he re-
piled, somewhat angrily. It's a nuisance TO
be postmaster. 1 got tired. 1t was too much
work. don't want you to bother me
about it,"
But where is the pOstonice? What did
you do with it?"
sold it,"
yes, sold the whole thing. Got S65. If
you want to do postofice business go TO
the man across the street. 1 don't like him
and sold him the postofice. l kept enough
stamps so that L don't have to bother with
him about my letters"
Mr.. Matthews made inquiries and learned
that the old postmaster had sold TO the
new his entire lot of stamps and other pa
pers for the sum mentioned. had made no
accounting to the government and had in
structed the purchaser that the only
thing he had to do was TO buy more stamps
when his supply ran out.
Another instance Mr.. Matthews tells
about is when the Havana officials noted
that a small office in the interior was
showing a most wonderful increase in the
amount }Of money orders issued. He was
sent down to find out about the wonderful
prosperity. The postmaster happened to be
a prosperous man Of large family and pro-
gressive ideas. After he had been post
master for a time he decided that his fam
lily was not living with the dignity and
style which was required of a government
official. Thereupon he bought a carriage,
new saddles, finer harness. new suits for
himself and new dresses for the ladies of
his household. He did not forget household
linen, pictures and other Each
time he made a purchase he made pay
ment with a government money order. He
had kept no record of them. His record con-
sisted OF the money orders he had issued
when he received payment ir cash. For
these he intended TO settle. He saw no rea-
son why he should settle for the others be-
cause the government had received no
money for them and. therefore, should re-
ceive none from him
Ii took a long time TO gather these fugi-
tive money orders and when he was asked
TO settle for something over $1,000 he was a
greatly astOnished man. lie bitterly de-
clared that the Americans were robbing
the public offices or ali honorable char
acter and that there was no need Of being
postmaster II he was To be restricted TO
handing out letters TO the people OF the
village. OTTO CARMICHAEL.