The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-12-18
TullOCh CHARGES
Continued from First PaEe.)

Third. The evidence laid before US
suggests the possibility and even
probability, but does not prove, that
abuses may nave continued both in
the department and in the postoffce
subsequently to the early summer Of
1900, when we lose sight of them.
and that in connection Herewith,
criminal acts may have been COM
mitted within the period of limita-
tons.
Fourth. The report Of Inspector
CroWell and the facts relating to the
the possibility that similar conditions
may have existed both within and
beyond the period of limitations in the
New York postoffice.
Fifth. The persons primarily re-
sponsible for the above mentioned
abuses and the resulting scandals, ap-
pea to have beer Perry S. Heath,
then first assistant postmaster general
and George w. Beavers, then chief Of
the salaries and allowance division,
neither of whom is 10Y in the service
OF the United States.
Sixth. Charles Emery Smith. late
postmaster general; James Willett,
last postmaster of Washington, now
deceased; John A. Merritt, his sue
cessor in the said office and it's pres
ent incumbent; Robert J. Tracewell,
comptroller, and Henry A. Castle,
auditor for the postoffice department,
all appear to have shared, in some
measure, their responsibilities; the
late postmaster general for his SEEM
ing failure, Notwithstanding repeated
warnings, to appreciate the gravity
of their misconduct n the conse-
Quent necessity for its prompt and
adequate punishment; the two post
masters for federation of these abuses
and obedience to plainly improper or
ders without exposure, or, apparent
~, protest, and the auditor and
comptroller for acting upon lax and
arbitrary principles in the admins
tratiOn of their respective offices.
whereby the payment Of illegal and
seemingly fraudulent claims by the
treasury was rendered possible.
Seventh. The employment of sub
ordinates in postoffices about to be-
come classified for the of
thus securing their admission, with
out examination into the classified
service was a practice In Frauden
Legis, and officials guilty of it there
by established their own unftness FOR
public employment.
Eighth. The employment Of So
called 'laborers' to do classified
work was clearly illegal and, under
the express directions of the civil
Z NlSC iulCSp " VIC pulIIoliOu ~ ulS
missal from office.
Ninth. An agreement by any
public officer with any persons wheth-
er in or out of the public service at
the time hal the latter shall re-
ceive the emoluments of public en-
plOyment under p~retense of being
employed, without rendering any ser !
vices to h government, constitutes
a conspiracy to defraud the United
States.
Tenth. The detail of Thomas w.
Gilmer to different work OF n lower |
grade and at a reduced compensation |
by T. A. Vanderbilt. then acting sec
rotary Of the treasury, under all the
circumstances attending it, was APP !
parently unjust and oppressive, and
certainly disastrous to the public in
terest, since it would be generally and
naturally understood by those cOgniz-
ant of it as a punishment inflicted on
a faithful servant who had, by the
honest discharge of his duty, incur |
red the enmity of active and infiu-
entail politicians. 1t seems to have
been preceded by no sufficient in
quiry or the part of Acting Secretary
Vanderlip, and would render proper
an investigation of the latter's con-
duct were he still in the public ser
|
EleFenln. WINE we express no l
opinion as to the propriety Of Sey- |
mour w. Tulloch's removal from the |
office of cashier by Postmaster Mer- |
rift, his removal was clearly regret |
in the public interest, as lead
ing naturally to the belief that the
had been in fact removed for
failure to comply with irregular
and ven illegal demands upon the
funds in his custody"
We very respectfully recommend:
/. That a thorough investigation be
if it has not been already or
dered ca of the administration OF
Washington postoffice, (b.) OF the
administration Of the New York rost-
office, and Co. of the administration
Of the office of the first assistant
postmaster general within the past
three years.
2. That a carefully chosen, small
commission, be appointed by the
President. to report a plan whereby
the wOrk of the offices of the comp
and of the several auditors
may be removed from all political,
personal, or other e~xtraneOus inliu-