The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-06-25
The National Capital.
Especial Correspondence to the HERALD


Especial Correspondence to the HERALD
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 90
The Bristow report in the post
Office investigation, while it's effect
was somewhat discounted by the
numerous arrests, threw a scare into
the crowd of grafters in the big bull.
ding that was very much like con,
sternation. Just little while ago
the countenances of many of the big
guns of the department wore express,
ions of confidence, and their CONVEX,
sations betokened no fear that the
investigation would result in their
undoing. When the Civil Service
Commission got through with it's
little investigation, slight change
in the atmosphere was noticeable,
but the day the Bristow report came
out this change was only too appar-
ent.
The discoveries of the official mis-.
conduct and grating are appalling,
and the fact that the inspectors had
reported that this condition existed
three years ago reflects most discred-
itably upon certain administrative
officials in charge. Hope is express
ed that from this time on the Post
Office Department with its great APP
pointive privileges will no longer
be used for the furtherance of the
schemes and for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
of certain official pets. An air of
gloom pervades the great building
on Pennsylvania Avenue, and the
clerks 60 about their business with
downcast eyes and trembling looks.
In only one part of the Bristow
report can it be said that any refec-
ton is cast upon the administration
of Captain Henry Castle, Auditor
of the department. 1t is charged
that Superintendent Beavers of al
lowance and supply division, besides
his regular salary drew also diem
allowance of 81, the two salaries be-
ing paid by Auditor Castle for more
than a year without protest. The
insinuation is made that if the cap
tain knew Beavers was drawing two
salaries and permitted the same, he
did 80 properly discharge the dut-
les of his Office, or, if he was ignor-
ant of this, he was not qualified to
hold his position. Captain CASTLES
friends have confidence that he will
be able to clear himself of this
slight cloud on his otherwise clean
administration. A quiet tip has
gone forth that the investigation
will now proceed to probe the affairs
of the post office in all the large
cities. The scandals which have
already been disclosed in the New
York Office give color to the belief
that the inspectors will strike s'pay
dirt" in a good many of these Of
fees. Throughout the whole it is
known that President Roosevelt has
staunchly and steadfastly supported
Fourth Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral Bristow. The probability that
this investigation would strike many
high in official life, many who had
been friends and supporters of the
administration, has not swerved the
president from his purpose to secure
the fullest light on the affairs of the
post office, and to punish every Of
fender therein. There are whispers
that Investigations will shortly be
started in other departments 1t is
said that the war and navy depart
ment may be overhauled and
search light turned upon certain
army and navy contracts during the
Spanish War, especially those relat-
ing to transports and commissary
supplies.
Representative Eddy, who was in
the city last week attending to GER
tain departmental matters, was a
caller af the post Office department,
and was accorded a few minutes
with Postmaster General Payne. |
Quite in his characteristic manner,
Representative Eddy greeted the of,
fetal with, "Good morning, General
are you arrested?" Mr.. Eddy ex-
planned that he thought in a short
time this would be popular slogan.
. N. N. B.