The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-04-28

General Payne The inspectors reported
the matter to superior officer. 4th assis-
tant General BristOw. Post
master General Payne also was notified.
Mr.. BrlstoW asked authority to have
Mrs. Iyner elected from the office. The
authority came too late. When the in
spector returned Mrs. Tyner and her
parry mad left. The safe on being eX-
ahmed, was found to be empty. The
aIIdlr created much excitement among
the investigating officials but the news
was concealed carefully from the pub
TIC. Two inspectors were dispatched
10 the Tyner residence to recover the
papers. Mrs. Tyner refused 10 give
them up, saying that she was acting
under the direction of her husband.
Sne told the inspectors, SO they report
cd. that they had a right to the papers
as MI. Iyner was still assistant attor-
hey general, and, moreover she insist
ed that the paper were all of a private
character. The inspectors reported that
MRS. Iyner declared the papers belong
ed solely to them and she announced
emphatically hat she did not propose
10 nave her papers submitted to the
scrutiny of the inspectors.
1t is suspected at the department that
the papers a some connection with
the recent conduct of the office. Some
weeks ago a turf investment concern
whose affairs were aired in court, al |
legged that it's operations and working
methods had been sanctioned by the
assistant attorney general for the post |
office department. The charges invOlv- |
ing the office of the assistant attorney |
general, and a lawyer formerly connect
ed with that office, were ventilated very
generally at that time and an ~investi-
cation was ordered by the postmaster |
general. This was really the inception |
of the Investigation that has spread
into every part Of the department. The |
complaints cryStaliZed into a formal re-
quest for Mr.. Tyner'S resignation sign
ed by Postmaster General Payne on
March 9Th last. Mr.. Tyner had been in |
exceedingly bad health for a long time
and had visited the office at only rare
intervals, leaving the office entirely in
charge of his assistant for months at
a time. He is suffering from an unusu-
ally severe case of paralsiS and in
consideration of this fact the request
for his resignation was based on his
i'll health. Mr.. Tyner then sent in his
resignation to take effect May l. and
It. was accepted.
The announcement of these develop
ments We're made by Postmaster Cen
eral Payne late his afternoon to a
number of newspaper correspon-
dents. In a voice that trembled with
emotion he said h he regretted to
have to say that he found it necessary
to remove from office the assistant at
torney general for the department and
after speaking in a general way about
the facts hat had developed said the
story was best told in the correspon-
1ence which he then read in a most feel
ne tone. Then he announced that he
could say nothing further on the sub
Jet and that he preferred not to be
any questions.
He was asked if any arrests would
made as the result of the abstrac-
ion. and if any one else in the office
vas involved. He said that these were
matters that he could not discuss, thai
hey rested with the attorney general,
o whom the papers would go as soon
IS the record of the case can be cover
al, and submitted. The case, however,
lie added, viii be in the hands of the
department. of justice tomorrow and
What further steps will be taken will
)e decided by the attorney general. He
lid not care to venture any prediction
S TO the outcome.
Mr.. Tyner has been in the govern 5
nent service in various important ca
,acities for many years. He is from In ]
He vas at one time postmaster
,eneral. He is one of the best known
men in official life in Washington. He t
nd Mrs. Tyner and President and Mrs. '
rant were intimate friends. f
An effort was made tonight to obtain /
statement from General Tyner or /
1rS. Tyner but met with no success. c
lrs. Tyner apparently took the matter I
cry cOOlly. Mr.. Tyner is in a very t
-eak and almost helpless condition from t
is long sinckness. He remains in his 9
Dom most of the time and sees very e
aW callers. S
y