New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-01
BRIST0W REPORT PRAISED
PRESIDENT COMMENDED.
Postal Inquiry by Congress Unlikely
More Disclosures Forthcoming.
[rRoM TIE TRIBrNE BrREAu.I

Washington. Nov. 3O.-The brief of Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General Bristow's report on
the postoffice investigation, published this morn
ing. has naturally been the chief topic of con-
versation among officials and politicians in
Washington to-day, and on every side is to be
heard praise for the Presidents fearless stand
and Bristow's able work. The opinion is general
that the thoroughness with which the investi-
CATION has been conducted renders any further
probing Of the Postoffice Department by Con-
eIess unnecessary.
Representative Payne. Of New-York the Re
publican floor leader, said to-day:
don't see the need for any further investi-
cation They seem to have found down
there already a good deal more than two Con-
gress committees did. The thing seems to have
been pretty well sifted.
PRESIDENTS PROMPT ACTION.
No little qualification is expressed that persons
outside Of the government service were able to
bring the corruption which existed in the Post
Office Department so forcibly to the Presidents
attention as to lead him. with characteristic
promptness. to instruct Bristow to institute his
inquiry without waiting for the entirely made
quate appropriation of $1,000, which had been
inserted in the Postofice Appropriation bill for
that purpose 10 become available. This sum did
not become available until July l. four months
after the investigation began. and il is pointed
plicated in the postal frauds enjoyed immunity
from investigation for q much longer time they
would doubtless have been able TO cover their
tracks so thoroughly as TO battle the most eX-
pert inspectors. AS soon as the President became
aware Of the necessity Of an investigation
he brooked no delay. and the result was pre-
cipitancy Of attack which caused panic among
the ~grafters' and few of them were able to de-
stroy records or rid themselves of damaging
vouchers before their affairs came to the knowl-
edge of Bristow and his subordinates. The in
adequacy of the $1,000 appropriation becomes
Immediately apparent in the light of the synop-
sis which says that more than forty inspectors
have been employed, and the records Of more
than a thousand postoflces have been exam
ined. Had the investigation been merely per
functory affair undertaken after the rascals
had had ample opportunity 10 cover their tracks,
the $1,000 available on July l might have proved
ample. but the expedition and comprehensive
ness which characterized the investigation are
universally declared the strongest evidence or
tn Presidents sincerity.
THE TULLOCH CHARGES.
some disappointment is expressed that the
Bristow report and the Presidents introduce
ton contain no reference to the Conrad and
Bonaparte report on the famous Tulloch
charges. but it may be said that the President
has given his word that their report viii be
eventually made public, and that, therefore, it
will be forthcoming in due time. While the
part which Seymour W. Tuiloch played in the
investigation was by means inconspicuous
and will result in considerable reform in the
auditing methods as it has already resulted in
the resignation Of the present auditor for the
Postoffice Department. il may be said that the
TuIIoch charges and their investigation were
separate and distinct from the Bristow investi-
CATION. and will doubtless be so treated by
Messrs. Conrad and Bonaparte. Bristows only
connection with these charges, il viii be re-
nenbered. was his investigation made several
years ago. when they were first made public
the findings of which sustained Tulloch and
which were printed in The Tribune last summer
MADDEN UNDER INVESTIGATION.
Another source OF comment in Washington to-
day was the absence from the Bristow brief and
I the Presidents memorandum Of any reference TO
the current investigation OF the conduct of Ed
win c. Madden, Third Assistant Postmaster Cen
eraI II is learned however, that, although this
investigation has Teen in progress for a number
Of weeks. no definite conclusions have been
/ reached, and the Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General did not feel warranted in expressing any
opinion to the President the public in ad-
vance Of the final report Of his inspectors. Mad
denis relations with the Franklin Manifodng
Company's contract, which contract resulted in
the dismissal of Madden's closest friends Land
voigt and Kempner, did not furnish sufficient
ground for basing charges against him before
he preparation of the report made public this