The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-24
Wants Every Guilty Official
Prosecuted Promptly.
BONAPARTE Is NAMED.
To Act as Special Attorney in
POstoffice Cases.
Guilty Persons Attempt to Re-
taIiate on BristoW.


has sent the following letter to the at
torney general:
White House. June "a. 1908.
Sir AS you know the charges in
connection with the postoffice depart
ment are now being Investigated by
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow. who has had placed a his dis
posal by the postmas ster general every
resource of the department. including
the services of Mr.. Robb. whom you de-
tailed from the department of justice
to the postofice department immediate
ly after the removal of Mr.. Tyner As
a result of this investigation number
of indictments have already been held
and it is probable that other indictments
will hereafter be asked for There can
be no greater offense against the gov
ernment than breach of trust on the
part of public official or the dishonest
management of his office and of course
every effort must be exerted to bring
such offenders to punishment by the
utmost rigor of the law. The district
attorney of the District of Columbia
has faithfully and zealOusly seconded
the efforts of the postoffice department
in this matter. but the amount of work
in the office is such as to make il difd-
cult without neglecting other important
public duties to devote all the time
necessary to the prosecution Of these
cases. I suggest therefore that If you
cannot detail some of your present stafr
you appoint special assistants in these
postoffice cases, not only to take up the
cases in which indictments have been
found or hereafter may be found, but
to examine into all charges that have
been made against officials in the postal
+1-- ~
prosecution of all guilty men in the ser
vice and the prosecution of guilty men
whether in the service or not. where the
cases are not barred by the statute OF
limitation Sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Carrying out the presidents suEges-
ton Attorney General Knox has ap-
pointed Charles J. BOnaparte of Balti-
more a special attorney to assist in
these prosecutions and upon his return
here this afternoon. Mr. HOlmer Con-
rad, former solicitor general, viii be
rendered a like appointment
LORENZES ARE ARRESTED
Toledo. O., June 24.-George Z. LO-
REM and his wife. who were recently in
dicted by the federal grand jury at
Washington in connection with the
scandal in the postoffice. were arrested
today. A preliminary hearing VIII be
held tomorrow morning. Mr. and Mrs.
Lorenz each gave bond in the sum OF
IS. 900.
GUILTY OFFICIALS ARE BACK
FIRING
Washington June 24.-In reply to ths
charges that officials had solicited
among DOStOffice employees for the pur-
chase of gold mining stock, the en-
ployes of the postofice department
who have been suspended have circu-
lated the report that the fourth assist
ant postmaster general. Mr. BristoF.
and Mr. Waters, the acting superintend-
ent of salaries and allowances. hold
stock in an Alaska gold mining com
pany. The story further alleges that
John P. Clum. an inspector had been
sent to Alaska, presumably on official
business, but in reality to look after his
own and General BristOW's mining in
terests Still another story given pub
licity alleges that General Bristow had
supplied the secretary of the governor
of kansas with a travelling pOstofficc
commission so that he might traVe1
over Kansas and make trouble for J. r.
Burton
General Bristow said this morning
there was no truth Wha tever in the
report about a travelling postOfhce COM
mission having been supplied anyone
for political or personal purposes he
admits, however, that he did invest th-
tremendous sum of 5000 in a mining
venture one of his friends came 10
him and explained that he lacked 5000
of having enough money to float thN
mining deal General Bristow sub
scribpd but no stock was ever sold
around the department and up to this
time General Bristow has not received
any dividends.
Friends of the various officials who
have been suspended or removed and
the political and personal enemies or
the men who are making the investi
cation are very active in mud Singing
lust at this time It is a significant
fact that the only newspaper which has
attempted to undermine General Bris.
tow in the public estimation is the Re-
publican paper printed in Kansas City.