The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-06-26

/ oiCC "blSA LC 0IeSo nhOuIO OC ltlfCSpi
gated. He names four employees OF
the military roll who appear not Il
have performed any service in con
nection with military postal matter
and for whose original appointment
or continuance on the rolls no goot
reason exists. The payment to w
S. Larner, military postal clerk, un
der protest, by the cashier OF SllS. 93
subsequently diSlllowed by the au
ditor of the treasury on Jan. i, 1899
is gone into at length and 1t is shown
that this matter was entirely irreg.
ular and that payments were directed
without proper vouchers.
Attention is called to certain item!
Of expenditures authorized for the
military postal service Of supplies
furniture, travelling expenses, aggrc-
eating 2S, 1910, with the statement
that the prices paid for some Of the
articles enumerated, such rs wash
stands at $40 each appear TO have
been highly excessive.
| Attention also is called to addi.
,tiOnal Irregularities in connection with
payrOllS Of clerks and labUrcrS, and tt
charging premiums on tic bonds Of
military postal clerks, noLwitlStand.
| ing such expenses arc not crargcablc
to the United States.
An interesting feature concerns ir.
rcgularitics in the appointment, com
pcnSatlon and promotion of Oliver III.
Smith. On Nov. 20, 1897, the first
assistant postmaster general author
| lied an allowance OF 5000 per annum
| rnr n iy 4 ,,,a ri l.,I.
ing that the free delivery division
would allow So per day to cover car
fare and incidental expenses. Smith
drew pay from Nov. 90, 1887, to Nov.
30, 1898, making his compensation
for one year approximately ST. l,3I9. 60.
The Inspector reports mo one has
certified to the actual time Smith
was employed nor has any statement
been attached to his pay vouchers
showing what particular service Inc
rendered. lie was continued in tl,e
dual capacity OF clerk and mechanic
until April |, 1899. when he was pro.
NOTED TO be finance clerk at ,IOC
per annum.' The inspector says Inc
knew Of no authority Of law for his
appointment or promotion.
Attention is next called by the in
Spcctor TO certain vouchers, author
lied to be paid by the first assistant
postmaster general, such as expenses
of Perry S. Heath and George w.
Beavers, travelling on Official business.
The inspector states that these yollch
erS do not appear to have been itcmiZ-
ed in the proper manner, nor is the
necessity for the expenditure OF this
money by the Washington postoillcc
! appearent.
Attention Is called to seven cleaners
placed on the pay roll OF the Wash
lngton office under authority OF the
first assistant postmaster general, to
be charged to the appropriation for
miscellaneous expenses. The names
OF these cleaners all females are
given. F, !, - ~
The inspector states that neither
the postmaster nor any one connected
with the Washington onlcc was able
to give any information as to where
they were employed or the nature of
their work, and the inspector is of
opinion that practically no service
whatever has been rendered for the
money expended.
Inc Inspector says that by the over
tapping Of Il lease executed in 1897
the government lost S625, and that
the building was paid for one month
beyond it's occupancy.
Inc Inspector reports that when
the cashier Of the Washington post
Office on letters from the comptroller
suspended payments to certain per-
sons mentioned he was required to
continue these payments upon direct
written order from the postmaster.
who states he was verbally instructed
in his action by tho first assistant
postmaster general.
INA payments were made under the
cashiers protest.
The Inspector cites payments to
Catherine Entlslcy, Charles a. Mach
ell, A. b. Hurt, II. l.. Lorcnz, John
). Leach and i. w. Wait, on the au-
thorlCy OF the first assistant post
master general Of per diem in conncc-
tion with claims Of letter carriers for
overtime charges, aggrcgating ST. $50.
The Inspector says this account, dis
burScd from July /, 1898, was lisburs-
cd without authority Of law. Machcn.
Lorenz and Hurt it appears were paid
per diem covering the same period by
the discussing clerk Of the department.
OF Justice, from the appropriation for
defending suits in letter carriers
claims against the United States be-
fore the court of claims. These par
ties continued to draw pay until the
comptroller called for statement
from them.
The report Of Inspector Little or
The investigation Of tho Washington
Office, dated July 81, 1900, says that a
number Of clerks were added to the
rolls without request or the postn.as-
ter and that the postmaster states
that at times it has been difficult to
find employment for all assigned to
his rolls. The inspector SAYS the
roster appears to be elastic, to he ad.
dcd to as circumstances arise whether
The postmaster requested it or not.
The aggregate salaries paid to those
not connected with the Office amonn,-
cd to $4,000.
No Vulgar Murder.
In Speaking Of the murder of the
l \