Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-05-09
REPUBLICANS WORRIED

Defeat Roosevelt for Re
Nomination and Defeat the
Party at Polls.
The fate of the Republican party in
the next national election is believed to
depend largely on the outcome of the
post office Investigations now under
way.
At the head of the department, osten.
sibly directing every movement, is the
vice chairman of the Republican Nation
al Committee. Postmaster General
Payne. 1t is for him to pull his party
out of the tightest place in which it has
been for some years
Every day there is evidence of the
outcropping of some fresh scandal con-
nected with the postal service. and Nc
one is ready as yet to predict where il
will end. Rumors are now heard of
Congressional action at the next session
looking to changes in the rural mail de.
livery, the general transportation and
salary divisions as well as hardly yelled
threats against the civil service rules as
being responsible for the trouble.
HAS THE PROOF PREPARED.
Former Cashier Tulloch does not re
treat an inch from the position he took
when he made public the charges that
have involved former Postmaster Gener
al Charles Emory Smith. Comptroller
Tracewell and Fourth Assistant Post
master General Bristow. In fact. he
has reiterated all he said on Friday and
is becoming more specific in detail.
liam ready to substantiate rything
l have said." Mr. Tulloch declared yes
terday. Il have the papers and other
evidence to prove every statement and
am ready to produce them wherever and
whenever 1t is desired
~ know that the charges were serious
but as knew also exactly what l was
talking about in every instance. did
not hesitate. Denials from the official,
concerned are to be expected, but verifi
cation is possible of all these charges.
In short. can make good.
Postmaster General Payne. would not
admit to-day that he had received re.
plies from any of the persons implicated
by Mr.. Tnlloch. but it is known that
two of the men have prepared answers
which will be in Mr.. Payne's hands to.
morrow if they are not already there
Former Postmaster General Smith is
said to have had long telephone con.
versation yesterday with Mr.. Payne,
and one of the Philadelphian's closes,
friends was at the Department, presum
ably to talk over matters.
SOME OF TULLoCH's CHARGES.
The charges made by Mr.. Tulloch are
practically those of three years ago,
among which were these specifications
A confidential report from post office
inspector to the Postmaster General in
July. 1899, showed that irregular dis
bursements for the year had amounted
to more than $4,000. Many of the ex.
travagances occurred in Porto Rico.
Through political influence from fifty
to seventy five henchmen enjoyed
luxurious junkets at the public expense
some of the post officials also had these
trips.
For more than year six women clean
ers were carried on the rolls of the Local
post office at $500 each and performed
no services.
Letter carriers were detailed to the De
partment of Justice to examine the
claims of their associates for over. time
and drew salaries at both places.
Funds were paid out for double and
even triple salaries in ingenious ways
A chief of one of the divisions was
drawing salary for the place, and alsC
held 81 per diem position from the
post office i'll one of the New York
boroughs.
The Washington post Office was put to
the expense of maintaining a physician
This Sl7O0 year sinecure was bestowed
on the reporter of local newspaper.
These do not include the added charge
that an investigation of the Washing
ton office was started but stopped by
influential officials but is said there is
stronger proof of this than of anything
else.
1t is also claimed that affairs in the
post office at Baltimore, Md. are in nc
better condition than in Washinton. and
the investigation may be turned in
that direction.
a Farmer Strengthened Out.