The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-07-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Il Looks Like Everything is Rot
Ten.


Washington, July 2I.-An anomal-
ous and unedifying situation exists N
the Postoffce Department where the
investigation still drags on under the
most unfaverable circumstances. Rob-
ert Wynne, First Assistant, is act
ing Postmaster General but IS under
such strict orders that he dares not
say word as to the progress OF the
Snyestigation ncr even discharge en-
I ployss found to have been guilty OF
actual dishonesty. Postmaster General
Payne is away from Washington
cruising about on a Government reye-
aue cutter, butsso restricted are the
powers OF acting Postmaster. General
ynne that Mr.. Payne left the signed
discharge Of Charles Hedges when ne
went away SO that If the result OF
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
BrissoW,s Investigation proved dis
honesty on Hedges part he could be
gotten rid Of without awaiting Mr.
aynesS return.
Charles Hedges, superintendent OF
city delivery, has bean summary dis
missed For ialsifying his pay account.
hile the charges against Hedges are
aaple TO warrant his dismissal it is
noteworthy that an old case, over three
years old, was dug up and made the
ground sor his dismissal when there
Esre far more serious grounds of re-
csnt occurrence on which his discharge
might haRs been based The reason
for going back so far and taking up a
eomDaratively Insignificant charge is
shat Hedges subsequent Irregularities
5nyoIVed EI. H. Rand, the confidential
clerk OF the Postmaster General whose
pecadilloess it was not desired to re-
real. Nevertheless, MIR. Bristow has
now taken up the case Of Rand and ls
Investigating the numerous charges
against him. Mr.. BristoW's position In
Ehe matter is very delicate one and
there isSsome doubt as to whether he
Miin have the courage TO make report
recommentling the dismissal of the
Postmaster Generals pet employe.
George W. Beavers has, since my last
ssse-, has been indicted for accepting
commissions from the .Brandt-Dent
Automatic; Cashier Company bat has
not yet been arrested. It is believed
By the postal officials that Beavers
mas guilty of serious deInqueueies
although his tracks we're so cleverly
noVered asi TO make their proof IN
Eourt very difficult. Several more in
dicsments By the grand jury of the
District of Columbia are anticipated
within g few days and some new In
aicGments have been returned by the
Brooklyn grand jury, although it is
not positiFely known against whom
Bhey were rendered.
President Roosevelt has found him.
self In an extremely delicate position
IN his relations with organized labor.
Public Printer Palmer recently dis
charged William Miller, an assistant
9oraman OF the bookbinding depart
aens, because he had been expelled
by the union. Miller appealed to the
Rresident and to the Civil Service
Commission with the result that the
latter found his dismissal was unlaw-
fnl and the President ordered his rein
statement. Tie union promptly held
p meetins; at which it was determined
80 file with the President charges
Rgains5 ldiller, and to declare that
Bhe booktinders could not work with
q non-union man, but would be COM
palled to go on strike If Miller resum-
sd his duties. Miller is expected to
return to work today and the outcome
rs awaited with interest. The local
union of bookbinders has a peculiar
Inle whereby the amount Of work
NEhich each man is allowed to perform
uer day is limited. Miller insisted
Shat The men perform more work and
30 incurred the displeasure of the un-
ion. Mr.. Roosevelt has issued de-
claration that In the departments of
:Bhe government there shall be no dis
between union and nom
nEion labor. In other words, the un-
ION of the states is still supreme. The
charges of the union against Miller,
the President has refused to consider,
shifting all further responsibility on
Public Printer Palmer.
A report comes from Oyster Bay TO
the effect that Speaker to-be Cannon,
after conference with the President,
agreed TO withdraw his opposition to
the consideration of all financial legis-
7ation al! the next session Of Congress.
There is some skepticism regarding
This report, however. Persons who
Enow Mr. Cannon we'll declare that
he would never have receded from his
position without some very valuable
promises from the President, OF
course, If Mr.. Roosevelt was ready to
place considerable amount of patron
age at TIE disposal of the prospective
Speaker he could obtain from the lat
tar promise to do or not to do any
thing ait all. On the other hand, it
Is pointed out that promise from
the Speaker to withhold opposition
means nothing, because the Speaker
does not have to oppose legislation.
His more neglect means its defeat.
3Gr. Roosegelt's sudden interest in
Gnancisl legislation is taken to indi-
rate his desire TO regain popularity
Wish Wall Street and it is interesting
90 note that interest and advocacy Of
zach legislation dates entirely from a
.5ong conference at the White House
participated in by the President,
Senator. Hams and G. w. Perkins,
parsner of J. P. Morgan & Co.