The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-30
He REPLIES
IN KIND.
Postmaster Merritt Brings
Some Charges.
THE TULLocH CHARGES
Says Irregularities We're Due to Tul-
och's Own Neglect-Posttnaster-
General Payne Gratified at the
Result Of Investigation.
fRv Associated Press. !,

(By Associated PreeJ.)
wAsHIN GTON, d. c., May 2s.-Post-
master eneral Payne to-day made public
the reply of Postmaster Merritt, OF TINS
city, to the Tulloch charges. The Mer-
ritt response makes serious accusatlons
against former Cashier 8. w. Tulloch, OF
the Washington postoff1ce, saving that
transaction in which Mr.. Tulloch was
concerned In 1898 appears TO conpro-
bend. the presentation OF false voucher,
which is made n crime by the statutes.
Mr.. Merritt's reply further alleges ina,
receipts were signed In blank on the pay
rolls during Mr.. Tulloch's regime as CASH
Ter. and that the files do not inaicale
any complaint of Irregularities against the
postofflce filed by Mr.. Tullooh Wnlie .e
e,nI practice OF giving employees duties
seemingly Incompatible with their posi-.
tions Is no abuse, and the practlce oi
having certain expenses OF the Fostonito
Dennrtment out OF the Washington CITY
postofflce funds always has existed hha
is proper C,,htar
rrniloch was no mistake: that the &C,
counts were in a tangled condition, ana
that Tulloch refused to stralghten them
out unless paid $500.
DUE TO HIS OWN NEGLECT.
Mr.. Merritt asserts that number OF
the irregularities to which Tulloch called
n
iect or Ignorance. Mr.. Merritt says he
had discretionary authority to remove
1'ulloch. whom he charges with bclns
arbitrary IN manner, occupied much OIL
his time with private business, and
yenturesome man in the field OF specula-
ton.
Concerning alleged Porto Rican abuses
Mr.. Merritt says the final account there
for was settled with the auditor without
material loss Mr.. Merritt says thet
what Mr. .ruloch says were disallow-
ances by the Comptroller Of the Treasury
IN the Washington account for the quar-
ter ended September 80, 1893, amounting
70 .ome thirty or forty thousand dollars.
were not such In reality. They were
merely demands made by him for expla-
nations as to certain Items in the &C.
count which his expert examiner mad
GONE doubt about, amounting 70 very
considerable sum, and the objections were
finally withdrawn.
The reply Of Postmastcr-Genera1C Charles
Emory Smith will be given out Sunday.
Fourth Assistant Postmaster-General
Bristow's reply. which will BIO made pub
lie later, according to Postmaster-General
PAYNE, denies that he ever asked inves-
tigation of the office Of the First Assist
ant P6stma ster-General.
RESULT GRATIFYING.
The Postmaster-General to-day an
no,noed the completion Of the investiga-
tIon OF the salary rolls of all the first
and second class postoff1ces in the coun-
try. The only Irregularities reported, all
Of which have been ordered to be cor
rected Immediately. were the payment 10
fourteen assistant postmasters OF a larger
salary than they should receive under the
Department's policy, payments 70 a rev
clerks Of moro than the law allows. and
the existence Of designations unknown
to the law for positions In seventeen
postofflces.
Mr.. Payne said that none OF these
items indicated any wrongdoinG, and he
regards this net result Of the overhaul
Ing of the rolls of upwards OF 1900 Pres
identinl offices as gratifying. The Post
master-General has directed that such
of these changes as involve corrections
Of violations OF the law shall take ef-
feet next Monday, and changes made to.
conform to the rules and practlce OF
the Department will be operative July
j, the beginning of the next fiscal year
Most of these excessive allowances were
made during the administration of George
W Beavers. who suddenly resigned his
positlon as superintendent OF salaries ana
allowances Immediately after the inves-
tigation OF affairs OF the Postof1ice De-
pnrtment began.
Samuel A. Croft, who was arrested
Wednesday for completely In the Mnchen
bribery case, appeared to-day before
United States Commissioner Taylor and
renewed his bond for 5000 for MS ap-
nearance June 9th, when he and MS
brother will be given hearing.