The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-25

the Department of Justice might deem
necessary and proper afterward.
Attorney General Knox expressed the
opinion to the postmaster general that un-
less there is something to show whether
the documents taken from the safe are
government property or private papers no
case would lie.
This statement was made after Mr.. Knox
him by the Postoffice Department. Mr..
Payne replied by stating the circumstances
attending the taking of the papers and
the fact that most or the papers fled In
such government safes are of confidential
nature and, therefore. are not OF record.
There will be a conference tomorrow be-
tween Mr.. Payne and Mr.. Knox The posi-
ton taken by the Postoffice Department
now is that IL has done all that is possible
TO do TO establish the facts in the case;
that the improperly of the act depends on
the nature of what was taken, and that
any further steps rest with the Depart
ment of Justice. 1t is known by the post
master general that the safe from which
all the papers were taken has contained
valuable official papers at various times,
and that Mr.. Tyner has so stated. 1t is
not known, however. whether any such
papers were in the safe since Mr.. Tyner
last had access to ii.
ATTORNEY PERRY'S OFFER.
Attorney Ross Perry. Of this city, counsel
for the Tyners. called on the postmaster
general to-day subsequent to his interview
postmaster general that the Tyners would
be glad to have the postmaster general or
any representative of his department look
over the papers at the Tyner residence. Mr..
Payne talked with Mr. Perry at some
length, and pointed out to him that the
Tyners were given an opportunity immedi-
ately after the papers were taken to open
them In the presence OF the officers of the
department, and had refused to show them
or to indicate to the government representa-
tives even the nature of the papers.
Mr.. Payne was asked subsequently If he
declined Mr.. Perry's proposition. but said
he could not discuss that phase of the ques-
ton. 1t may be stated as the department. S
attitude, however. that 1t will not give much
weight to any papers that are returned and
that 1t Is unlikely any further serious ef
view of the fact that there is no way of
showing whether any papers returned were
the ones actually taken.
Postmaster General Payne said this even
ing: IF there were conclusive evidence
that all the documents taken away would
be shown, that would be one thing, but
the fact that these papers that were taken
have been out Of the possession of the
department for three days is another thing.
If there was any motive to take the papers
or any intention Of doing away with them
there has been ample time to do IT. Wheth-
er the papers were private or not, the i'm
propriety of the act Is apparent, TO say
the least. l regard 1t as quite as improper
a
the private papers of General Tyner or
Mrs. Tyner or of anybody else in the man.
ner that those papers were taken as to
of Of the act itself is sufficient to remove
any officer of the government"
Mr.. Payne said that he was not contem-
plating the suspension OF any official in
connection with the incident although he
could not predict what might develop
BARRETT'S LETTER
Harrison ]. Barrett. formerly law officer
of the Postoffice Department. and frequent
| ly an assistant attorney general for that
| department, to-day submitted letter to the
postmaster general regarding the latter's
| statement that charges against Barrett are
| under investigation. The statement was
made in the letter removing General Tyner
Mr.. Barrett says that this is the first off,
| ciai information which he has had of any
| charges of any character whatever against
| his conduct. Mr.. Barrett then quotes a
| letter he addressed the postmaster general
| from Baltimore under date of March 25 in
which he said
II feel it my duty to say, in justice to
| myself and the Postofice Department that
my conduct assistant attorney for the
| department and as a practicing attorney
| since 1 severed my connection with the de-
partment is open to the most searching in
vestigation, which invite, and l will will
| ingly furnish any information within my
/ power that may be desired
| Acting Postmaster General Wynne made
| formal acknowledgment of this letter,
| saying il had been referred to Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General Bristow, ''who
| states that he will receive any information
you may desire to furnish him. Mr.. Bar
| rett's letter to-day says: ION March 9th
| called on Bristow and stated to him that if
| the Postoffice Department had any charges
against me of any character whatever,
| that was anxious and ready to meet the
| same and would put at his disposal any
| information or papers In my possession.
| Mr.. Brstow told me that if any informa-
| tion in his possession reflected upon me,
| would be communicated with, and given
| full opportunity to answer the same.
| Since that time have heard nothing more
| of the matter at issue. When the time ar
rives i will show to the satisfaction of all
| honest people that the charges and insinu-
| ations that have been made rejecting on
| myself in my dealings with the PostOffice
| Department are false. My record in the
| four years that / served as the assistant
| attorney of the Postoffce Department is
known to those with whom l was asso-
ciated during my time of service and that
| 1 served the government faithfully and
honestly can be established by an abund-
ance of proof"