The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-27
Unconhrmed Rumor That Perry s.
Heath and Charles Emory Smith
Are Severely Arraigned.
PAYNE UNWILLING TO TALK
POSTMASTER GENERAL NEITHER
DENIES NOR AFFIRMS RUMORS.
Mr.. Bristow Undaunted by the Failure
tn secure Conviction of ID. v.
Miller and j. vi. Johns.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Oct. 26.-Reports
were current here to-day that the admin
istration OF Perry s. Heath Is severely ar
raigned in the Bristow report, which is
now in the hands Of the attorney general
They could not be confirmed in official
quarters. IT do not care to comment on
any feature of the Bristow report, said
Postmaster General Payne, when seen to-
day. THAT document is now out OF my
hands and il would not be proper for me
to affirm or deny any rumors or reports
that may be in circulation concerning ii.
When given to the public it will speak for
itself"
The correspondent OF the New York Com
mercial Advertiser, who is generally re-
garded as we'll informed, sent the following
dispatch to his paper to-day: Mr.. Bris-
tow's report, which is now in the hands OF
the attorney general. is ugly document
for Perry s. Heath and Charles Emory
Smith. 1t shows that all the graft opera
tons of Machen and Beavers lead straight
up to the desk of the former first assist
ant postmaster general and implies
lessness and lack Of supervision which 1t
will be humiliatng for former Postmaster
General Smith to see spread in an official
and Machen evidence of the direct payment
OF money. The case against Miller and
Johns was much weaker than the
against Beavers and Machen. There is
documentary evidence in the latter case. 1t
will apear from the report that Machen's
graft could not have succeeded had 1t not
been for the complete freedom given him
by the first assistant postmaster general.
xx-;r1 ~
ming. away back in Cleveland's administra-
ton, Machen began his work and was well
versed in 1t before the Mckinley admin
istration came in. But with the establish
ment and growth of the rural free delivery
system, he found his great opportunity"
A semi-official statement was made pub
lie to-day that certain features of the re-
port of Fourth Assistant Postmaster Bris-
tow would be withheld from the public for
some time This position had been taken
at the suggestion of Attorney General
Knox who believes that the complete find
ings should not be given out in advance
of the presentation of the cases to the
courts.
Fourth Assistant Bristow will not admit
that the failure to secure a conviction in
the case brought against Joseph NJ. Johns
rectly or indirectly upon the other cases
that are being pushed by the government.
Mr.. Bristow admits that popular sentiment
may be swayed If there is final failure to
secure a conviction OF the two Indiana
men, but IL will have no effect with the
other courts and can In no way be con-
sidered a precedent for the outcome of the
other cases. Mr.. Brstow said: 1.-The one
weak place in the presentation Of the cases
against Miller and Johns was our inability
TO show that any money had been received
by Miller. Our case was perfect i'm every
other particular and ii would seem that
any reasonable minded man would be con-
vinced OF the guilt OF the accused. Unfor-
| tunately we were unable to get this indis-
putable evidence showing that Miller had
actually received money to influence his
official acts. We will not be so HANDICAPPED
In any OF the other cases when they come
TO trial. as we will not only be able to
show that official acts were without re-
gard TO the interests of the government
, but that they Were directly influenced by
the actual passing Of the bribe.''
1t is stated here to-day that an effort will
| be made TO induce the postmaster general
to give c. B. Terry, of Indiana, who was
recently dismissed. rehearing. Terry was
removed on the ground that he made false
affidavits and tried TO secure money from
clerks for promotions. 1t is charged by
Ills iflenuS tndt ne mas Deen made scape-
goat for John H. Masten and that If an
opportunity is given for hearing that IL
can be demonstrated that Masten is the man
that should lose his official head. At all
events the matter Will be inquired into and
Terry will doubtless be given an opportu-
nifty to present his case
! William Dudley Fouke, of Richmond
Ind. caller at the White House to-
day. He did not discuss matters of i'm
portance with the president Mr. Foulke is
rapidly regaining his health
/ Colonel Jordan. of Indianapolis chief of
| the miscellaneous division Treasury Depart
ment, has returned from visit to Indiana.
|
DR.. j. N Hurry, secretary of the Indiana
State Board Of Health. arrived In Washing
ton to-day. He comes here to attend the
! convention Of the American Public Health
Association. On Wednesday he will confer
with officials of the United States geological
survey in relation to plan under consid-
Grafton of disposing of the refuse from
straw board plants In the State.
/ In bulletin made public at the Depart
ment Of Agriculture to-day 1t Is stated that
! last year Indiana had $4,000 sheep. which
produced a wool clip of g. $4,000 pounds
valued at s1.3i1.000
/ The controller of the currency announces
changes in the First National Bank of
Hartford City, Ind. as follows: r. w.
| Sharpe. vice president. George w. Hutchin-
son. assistant cashier j. E. NJ.
1