The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-04-29
/ STENCIL IN WASHINGTON.
SensaIionaI Developments in Postal
Scandals.
WOMAN TAKES 4 Hand.

aIGf flslllAaIinY Fdp6ES OtUieii oisi
Safe in an Office of Department
in Broad Day Light.
Washington. April "a most
sensational development OF the IN
vestigation of the postohce depart
ment affairs occurred just before the
department closed today, when Post
master General Payne announced the
summary dismissal of Jas. n. Fynes,
assistant attorney general Tor ene
postofice department., coupling with
She announcement the startling charges
that all the papers and records IN the
safe of the latter's Office had been
distracted by Mrs. Tyner, wife OF the
discharged official, with the assistance
of others. The Postmaster General
states that Mrs. Tyner has refused
the demand of.the Government Tor the
return of the papers taken, and sad
that the circumstances IN the case
will be submitted by him to the de-
I,artmenr Of justice tomorrow morn
ing. Other sensational Developments
are expected to follow. The question
of arrests is now under consideration
aud viii be passed on Immediately by
Attorney General Knox.
The facts are told tersely in the let
Ter Of dismissal, signed by Postmaster
General Payne late yesterday afternoon
and made public tonight. The letter
IS as follows: ao,ooo
Hon. James NJ. Tyner, Assistant
Attorney General for the Postofice De-
partment-Sir: You are hereby re-
moved from the Office of assistant at
sorney general for the postofdce depart
ment.
3 .sI deem il proper to give you the
reasons for this summary action on
the part of the department. Early In
bae month Of March communicated
Won. through mutual friend, a re-
Quest for your resignation. After
painful interview with you, and
more painful one with Mrs. Tyner,
& consented TO modify the demand for
your resignation, so that it might take
effect on May /, 1908, with the proviso.
however. that you were given leave OF
absence from the time of tie accept
ance of the resignation to the date Of
ATS taking effect, with the understands
ing that yeu we're not IN any way to
undertake to discharge tie duties OF
the Office.
Late yesterday afternoon Mrs.
Tyner came to the Office of the assis-
tant attorney general for the postofice
department, entering in the regular
way, and went through the main Office
10 the private Office, closing the door
behind her. She then unlocked the
door entering from the pubic hall into
the private room and admitted her
sister. Mrs. Barrett, whose son was
formerly an assistant IN your othce.
and whose conduct is now under IN
-Fsssigation by the department.. She
also admitted In the same manner &.
G Eamnes, an expert in the employ
Of the Mosler Safe Company, with
whom size made an arrangement to
meet her at the department. At her
direction Mr.. Hammer opened the safe
Ia the room and she took therefrom
ali papers, records and articles Of ev-
cry kind and carried them away with
her.
g Immediately upon learning what
had been dore T directed the fourth
assistant Postmaster General to send
two inspectors to your house TO de-
mand, in the name OF the Postmaster
General, the delivery to them Of any
papers, documents or other materials
Rhich had been distracted from the
safe. This demand was refused by
Mrs. Tyner, and she likewise refused
TO permit the inspectors to see you or
20 see and examine the papers in her
oresence. Mrs. Tyner further stated
20 the postofice inspectors that she
committed this act with your knowl-
sdge and by your direction. Further
comment on this transaction On my
part is not necessary.
The facts in the case will be sub
rnisted to the Attorney General OF the
United States for such action in the
premises as he may deem proper.
Very respectfully,
ssH. G. Payne, Postmaster General. "
Mrs. Tyner came to the Office Of the
assistant attorney general, on the
Eth floor Of the postofhce building.
as 3.45 o'clock Tuesday afternoon and
remained there exactly an hour. When
she arrived Acting Assistant Attorney
General Chzistiancy, who has had
charge of the Office for months past IN
The absence of Gen. Tyner, who has
been in poor health for long period
vas in the Office and the clerks were
as their desks. Mrs. Tyner passed
from the public room into the private
oMca and closed the door behind her.
Being then alone in the Office she
stepped to the door opening into the
corridor and, by previous arrange
nent, admitted Mrs. Barrett, mother
Of Harrison J. Barrett, the former
law clerk of the postofice department,
and G. 6. Hammer, safe expert.
An Inspector discovered Mrs. Tyner
in the Office and reported her presence
30 his superior officer. Fourth Assist
ant Postmaster General Bristow.
Postmaster General Payne was noti-
fed. Mr. Bristow asked authority to
l,ava Mrs. TYuer elected from the