Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-06-25
FORMER CONGRESSMAN AND
OTHERS INDICTED.
briggs CASE is PROBED
he is indicted as Are Also George S.
Miller Of Brandt-Dent Co., c. E. Up
ton and T. w. Mceresor-Drisss on
company's Payroll.

New York, June 25.-The federal
jury at Brooklyn today presented two
indictments against George S. Miller
general agent of the Brandt-Dent Cash
Register Co. The Indictment charges
Miller with aiding and abetting former
Congressman briggs to violate the re-
vised statutes in paying money to
briggs.
Two More Indictments.
Baltimore, June 25.-In the federal
court here today indictments were for
mally presented against C. Ellsworth
Upton and Thomas w. McGregor. en-
ployes of the postoffice department in
Washington, for participation in the
mail pouch frauds. The men are out
under $4,000 bail
The briggs Case.
New York, June 25.-Former Con
gressman briggs was indicted yester-
day on the charge of receiving mon.
ey from the government contrac-
tors while he was member of CON
gresS.
Four indictments were found, ali
practically alike. Each charges briggs
between July 20 and "a, 1900, unlaw-
fully agreed to receive and did receive
a $500 check from the Brandt-Dent
company for procuring contract from
the United States government for MAX
ing and delivering two hundred and
nifty automatic cashiers for the post
office department.
To the first two indictments Mr..
briggs pleaded not guilty, reserving
the right to plead to the Others which
contain l6 counts each, after his law
yer had read them.
briggs on company's Pay Roll.
Mr.. briggs refused absolutely to
comment on his indictment. He has
previously admitted, however, receiv-
ing salary of $12,250 from the
fraudulent company for Introducing
its machines, but claimed that the
work he did for the company was
done before he was sworn in as con-
gresham. but after his election. and
declaring that he had done nothing
to which the government could OBJ
ject.
The indictments were found under
sections III and 172 of the revised
statutes OF the United States, which
provide for the punishment of any
person receiving emolument while in
the employ of the government"
President Urges Prosecutions.
The President has sent the following
letter to the attorney general
AS you know, the charges in con.
nection with the postoffice department
are now being investigated by Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General Bristow
who has had placed at his disposal bv
the postmaster general every resource
OF the department including the ser.
vice OF Mr. Robb. whom you detailed
from the department of justice to the
postoffice department Immediately aft
er the removal of Mr. Tyner.
'As result of this investigation q
number OF indictments have already
been returned. and it is probable that
other indictments will hereafter be
asked for. There can be no greater of
tense against the government than a
breach of trust on the part of a public
oLlCldl VI Tue ulSuOneSJ management
of his office and. of course, every eff
fort must be eXerted to bring such of.
tenders to punishment by the utmostl
rigor Of the law.
The district attorney of the District
of Columbia has faithfully and zeal
ously seconded the efforts of the post.
office deparmen ent in this matter bntl
the amount OF work in the office isl
such as to make it difficult, without ne.
glecting other important public duties.
to devote all the time necessary to the
prosecution of these cases. suggest
therefore, if you cannot detail some OIL
your present staff you appoint special
assistants in these postoffice cases. not
only to take up the cases in which in
dictments have been found or hereun.
der may be found, but to examine intol
all charges that have been made
against officials in the postal service
with view to the removal and prose.
cution of all guilty men whether in
The service or not. where the cases are
not barred by the statute of limita.
lions.
Theodore Roosevelt.