New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-18
BASIS OF THE CHARGES.
The Hastings POstOffce Transdc-
ton.

Omaha Nov 1.-THE details Of the postmas-
tership transaction at Hastings as given out to-
day by Mr.. Fishers friends. are follows:
The postofice at Hastings UP to two years ago
was in building put up by the local post Of the
Grand Army of the Republic Previous TO in
stallation in this building the various post
masters had furnished the postoffice fixtures
themselves The Grand Army Of the Republic
bought the fixtures for $500. and their
included in the government lease. About three
years go considerable effort made to secure
better accommodations for the postOffice bust
ness. the contention becoming one between the
opposite ends Of the town.
Senator Dietrich. who had just been elected
Governor. had put up a new building near the
Grand Army of the Republic building. and.
tcipatng the removal OF the postOfflce. took the
matter up with the postoffce authorities during
a visit Washington. A lease was agreed
upon subject TO specific terms but the
NEGOTIATIONS not concluded until after Gov
ernor Dietrich had been elected United States
Senator. In the mean time property owners in
terested in the other section Of the city made
counter offers al reduced rentals and in order
10 hold it in the vicinity of his property lease
was drawn and signed at rental of 1890.
emitting the requirement OF the owner to fur
nish the fixtures.
Believing that he renting his property
for less than it was worth, for the purpose of
holding the postofice for the benefit of the sur
rounding property owhers, it was suggested
that the difference in the rental be made up by
a subscription from the interested parties. The
Grand Army of the Republic also again became
involved with a protest against the removal
from their building. for fear that they would
lose the money they had put into the fixtures
and possibly he tenantless for some time
At this iuncture the Senator was called upon
10 indorre for postmaster one of the applicants
the competition having narrowed down 10 Jacob
Fisher. the Mayor Of Hastings, and the Editor Of
The Hastings Tribune" Adam Breeder.
in understanding was finally reached by
which Fisher was to receive the appointment Of
postmaster on condition that he purchase the
postofice fixtures belonging to the Grand Army
of the Republic at the price they had paid for
them. and it is said that he also agreed to re-
imburse the Senator for the sum by which he
had been compelled to reduce the rental from
his original figure of $500 in order to meet
the offers that had been made in behalf OF site
at the other end of the street
This difference of $500 it is said, TO be
made I'D in equal portions by the postmaster
and his deputy and ii is said that ii was paid
in a few months. When the Senator discovered
its questionable character the money was re-
turned to Postmaster Fisher and Deputy
Francis.
The friends Of Senator Dietrich and POST
master Fisher filed the halls at the Federal
Building to-day. looking for developments in
regard TO the indictment OF Mr.. Dietrich and
Fisher.
of the Grand Jury have brought about state
nent from Mr. Hoyt. clerk of the United States
District Court. showing how the jury was
drawn Mr. Hoyt said tonight that the jury
list was made up of men recommended by bank
ers throughout the State, and that the names
of the present jurymen were drawn from a very
large list by man who knew none Of them
The courts orders he stated. had been very ex-
pIcit and extraordinary care had been exercised
in the drawing. The jury is made up Of five
merchants four active farmers. four retired
farmers. two real estate dealers. an abstractor.
a lumber dealer. a planning mill proprietor, a
mason and a bricklaver.
District Attorney Summers has all along re-
fused to give out any information or TO dis
cuss the indictments. To-day, however. ne de-
MED that witnesses had been treated unfairly
or intimidated in any way. adding that MS
action in bringing the notwithstanding transac-
lions before the grand jury was incidental 20
the general policy he had pursued While IN OF
fee He denied that he had asked senator
Dietrich for Endorsement. and said that as TO
the charge that he had brought this matter be-
fore the grand jury as means 20 compel the
President to reappoint him, there was abso-
Iutely nothing in IL. The investigation was
made only because ne believed II to be his
duty a public officer.
Postmaster Fisher to-day furnished bonds IN
the sun Of 81 esD on each indictment against
him He was downcast over the result OF the
investigation by the grand jury. but denied that
he had had any transactions with Senator Die
trich OF a compromising nature