The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-18
LET THE GUILTY SUFFER
The Files of the Cashier of the Post Of
fee Show Direct Orders From Su-
perior Authority for ALI Cues
tionable Disbursements.
(By the Associated Press.)

| 10y lue Associated HTeSS.}
! Washington, D. c., June 17.-Postmaster
General Payne today made public the re-
ply Of Fourth Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral Bristow to the charges of Seymour
W. Tulloch, former cashier of the Wash
ington City postoffce, regarding the r.
regularities in the postal administration
and also reports of inspection and investi-
cation of the Washington postoffce by
inspectors between June 80, 1899, and
July 81, 19oO together with the transcript
oil the Tulloch charges made some years
ago and the conclusions thereon then
reached by Postmaster General Charles
Emory Smith.
! These papers constitute by far the most
significant documents yet made public as
a result of the sweeping postal investi-
CATION The reports show the existence
of many irregularities during the period.
The inspector who Investigated the irreg-
clarifies reports that the files of the post
office cashier show direct orders from su-
pcrior authority for the disbursement OF
all the questionable items cited. The in
spector urged that the responsibility for
the many illegal appointments. the pay
ment OF two salaries to one and the same
person and the disbursement of thousands
of dollars Tor practically no service per
formed. should be placed where it prop
erly belongs and the many abuses cor
rccted.''
In a summary Of the several reports
the Postmaster General says:
''The charge of Mr.. Tulloch is in its
essence against President Mckinley and
Postmaster General Smith. President Nc
Kinley is no longer living. Postmaster
General Smith, who carried out President
McKinley's policy, has answered for him
self. With regard to the present manage
ment of the Washington postoffce and
the conduct of any and all men charged
with wrong doing who have been In the
postal service under the present admins
tration a thorough and searching investi
CATION is now being made
The Postmaster General also says: cit
will be seen that the whole subject
taken up by Postmaster General Smith
and investigated by him. All the expen-
ditures referred to were allowed by the
auditor and comptroller. with the excep-
tion of S160."
The documents made public today show
that on May last, Mr.. Payne wrote
letter to Mr.. Bristow calling attention to
the published interview with Mr. Tulloch.
and asked Mr. Bristow What truth. il
any, there is in the statements"
Mr.. Bristow's reply dated three days
later transmit reports of three inspectors
relating to the Washington postoffice. Mr.
Bristow says that after the inspectors had
reported irregularities he directed that
report be made in the regular way.
During the progress Of the investi-
cation was advised by the Chief Inspector
that George w. Beavers. Chief of the Sal
ary and Allowance Division, had suggested
to one of the inspectors that when he
came TO certain appointments in some OF
the stations, he thought had better make
no reference to them as they had been
ordered personally by the Postmaster Cen
eral. l told the chief inspectors to instruct
the inspector to report the facts as they
would in any other inspection; did not
believe the Postmaster General had know
ingly authorized any irregularities.
Capt. w. B. Smith, inspector in charge.
submitted a special report This report
disclosed what seemed to be gIaring irreg-
ularities and I submitted it personally to
Postmaster General, suggesting to him
at the time that it contained matters to
Continued on Fifth Page.)