The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-24
OFFENSE MOST SERIOUS
MRS. TYNER LIABLE TO FINE AND
IMPRISONMENT.
Much Sympathy for the ParaIyzed
Indianian-fiiS CounSerS
Statement.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. April 23.-Gen. James N.
Tyner. OF Indiana, assistant attorney gen.
eral for the Postoffice Department, was
summarily removed to-day by Postmaster
General Payne. This action followed the
discovery that yesterday afternoon. shortly
before o'clock, Mrs. Tyner, accompanied
by her sister. Mrs. Barrett, and an expert
employe of a local safe and lock concern,
entered the office of the assistant attorney
general In the department building and re-
moved from the safe all records letters,
files and documents it contained. Before
taking action the postmaster general
sought to recover the missing papers by
sending two inspectors to the home of Gen.
demand was refused, as was permission to
see General Tyner or to inspect the papers.
Following closely upon the letter of Mr..
Payne removing General Tyner was the ref
erence to the Department of Justice of the
alleged burglarious entrance to a govern
ment office and the removal of government
records. The Revised Statutes hold this to
be most serious offense and one which, If
established. subjects the perpetrator. on
conviction, to severe penalties.
SYMPATHY FOR TYNER.
While there is no disposition on the part
Of any one to criticise the postmaster gen.
ia ken
ton officials are agog over the developments
and there are general expressions of sorrow
and sympathy for General Tyner. The dis
missai OF the assistant attorney general
marks a sensational and ignominious end
ing to an honorable public career of more
than forty years Not until within the
past few months has there been an asper-
sion cast uponsthe name or official conduct
OF the venerable General Tyner. He served
constituency in the House of Representa-
tives several terms. AT different time, he
has filled with honor the offices of postmas-
ter general. first assistant postmaster gen.
eral. second assistant postmaster general,
has often been acting postmaster general,
and. for a number of years past, assistant
attorney general for the department. has
been the legal adviser OF the head of the
department and the last recourse for ref
erence OF all legal propositions involved In
the conduct OF the departments business
1t seems pitiful TO the friends OF General
Tyner that such a distinguished career
should nave ended as II did to-day while the
man himself is bedridden. physical wreck
and almost mentally incompetent. For six
months or more paralysis has robbed the
man of his physical vigor and prevented his
conducting the business of his Office Now,
at an age OF nearly four-score years,
through all-advised action or gross in
discretion. he is robbed OF the chance to
round out his career as he would have de-
sired by quiet retirement from the place
on May l.
The determination OF Postmaster General
Payne to prosecute vigorously the pending
investigation in the department. is striking
IL shown In his action of to-day. which
was an incident OF the inquiry. and not
based upon any criminal or corrupt dis
closures In the administration OF the for
mer attorney general. The extraordinary
circumstances surrounding the case gives a
sensational aspect TO the Investigation
which 1t probably would never have as
sumed had IL not been for the fll-advised
action of General Tyner in taking the rec
ords from the Office without the knowledge
OF the department officials. The case now
goes to the Department of Justice. and the
attorney general will have Jurisdiction
over IL.
LAW IN THE CASE
The Revised Statutes in reference TO such
an act state: Every person who villfully
destroys or attempts TO destroy with in
tent To steal or destroy. takes and carries
away any record. paper or proceeding of a
court OF justice, filed' or deposited with any
>.4xk or onicsr OF such court. or any paper.