Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-07-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, July 81, 1903.

WASHINGTON, July 81, 1903.
An anomalous and modifying situation
exists in the Post Office Department where
the investigation still drags on under the
most unfavorale circumstances. Robert j.
Wynne, First Assistant, is acting Post
master General, but is under such strict
orders that he dare not say word as to the
progress of the investigation nor even dis
charge employs found to have been guilty
of actual dishonesty. Postmaster General
Payne is away from Washington, cruising
about on Government revenue cutter, but
so restricted are the powers of acting Post
master General Wynne, that Mr.. Payne
left the signed discharge of Charles Hedges
when he went away, so that if the result of
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bris-
tow's investigation proved dishonesty on
Hedges part, he could be gotten rid of
without awaiting Mr. Payne's return.
Charles Hedges, superintendent of city
delivery, has been summarily dismissed for
classifying his pay account. While the
charges against Hedges are ample to war
rant his dismissal, it is noteworthy that an
old case, over three years old, was dug up
and made the ground for his dismissal when
there were far more serious grounds of
recent occurrence on which his discharge
might have been based. The reason for
going back SO far and taking up compare
lively insignificant charge is that Hedges
subsequent irregularities involved H. H.
Rand, the confidential clerk Of the Post
master General, whose pecadilloes it was
not desired to reveal Nevertheless, Mr..
Bristow has now taken up the case of Rand
and is Investigating the numerous charges
M D.sCk 10 N tho
matter is very delicate one, and there is
some doubt as to whether he will have the
courage to make a report recommending
the dismissal of the Postmaster Generals
pet employee. George w. Beavers has,
since my last letter, been indicted for ac-
cepting commissions from the Brandt
Dent Automatic Cashier Company, but has
not yet been arrested. 1t has long been
believed by the postal officials that Beav-
ers was guilty of serious delinquenies, al
though his tracks were so cleverly covered
as to make their proof in court very dith-
cult Several more indictments by the
grand jury of the District of Columbia are
anticipated within few days, and some
new indictments have been returned by the
Brooklyn grand jury, although it is not
positively known against whom they were
rendered.
President Roosevelt has found himself in
an extremely delicate position in his rela
tions with organized labor. Public Prin-
ter Palmer recently di charged William
Miller, an assistant foreman of the book
binding department, because he had been
expelled by the union. Miller appealed to
the President and to the Civil Service Com
mission with the result that the latter found
his dismissal was unlawful, and the Presi
dent ordered his reinstatement. The union |
held meeting at which it was
determined to file with the President |
charges against Miller, and to declare that
the bookbinders could not work with a
man, but would be compelled to
20 on a strike if Miller resumed his duties.
Miller is expected to return to work to-day,
md the outcome is awaited with interest.
The local union of bookbinders has pecu-
lar rule whereby the amount of work
which each man is allowed to perform per
lay is limited. Miller insisted that the
men perform more work, and so incurred
he dlspleasure OF the union. Mr.. Roosevelt
las issued declaration that in the depart
nents Of the government there shall be no
discrimination between union and non
Inion labor. In other words, the union of
he States is still supreme. The charges OF
he union against Miller, the President has
efused to consider, shifting all further
on Public Printer Palmer.
A report comes from Oyster Bay to the
fleet that Speaker o-be-C Cannon, after a
difference with the President, agreed to
his opposition to the considera-
ion of all financial legislation at the next
ession of Congress There is some skepti-
ism regarding this report however. Per-
ons who know Mr.. Cannon, we'll declare
hat he would never have receded from his
osition without some very valuable prom
SEES from the President OF course if Mr..
was ready to place considerable
mount of patronage at the disposal of the
respective Speaker, he could obtain from
he latter promise to do or not to do
nything at all. On the other hand, it is
ointed out that promise from the Speaker
o withhold opposition means nothing be-
ause the Speaker does not oppose legisla-
ion. His mere neglect means its defeat.
Dr. Roosevelt's sudden interest in financial
egislation is taken to indicate his desire to
egain popularity with Wall street, and it
) interesting to note that his interest and
dvocdey of such legislation dates entirely
rom long conference at the White House
in by the President, Senator
lama aud G.. w. Perkins, partner of J.
}. Morgan q Co.
The news comes from Indiana that the
republicans of that State are anxious to
ave Senator Beveridge made vice presi-
lent, SO as to make room for Governor Dur
lin whom they wish to send to the Senate
n place of the ''boy orator" of whom his
olleagues have grown very weary, and
whose usefulness has, therefore, virtually
nded OF course Beveridge will siren
lously oppose the movement to nominate
lin for second place, but his wishes may
lot be consulted.
There is considerable anxiety in Wash
ngton because OF the failure in Wall Street
# two large firms, Tabor J. TAYLOR and
". L. Stow q Co., and the general
of the market. If, as is
confidently hoped by some Republican
eaders, the present financial crisis merely
erves to squeeze portion of the water out
# inflated stocks, and does not affect the
general prosperity of the country all will
De we'll, buAif, on the other hand, it results
n timidity of capital and general feeling
II uncertainty throughout the country, the
esult will be disastrous to Republican
prospects. As the conditions are just oppo-
lite to those prevailing a year ago, and
interest is low and money plenty, the
of the Treasury can do nothing
10 relieve the situation.