The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-25
NO IMPROPER ACTION ON
PART OF JUDGE BALDWIN
Third Assistant Secretary Pierce,
in Report to President, Exon
ates Consul Baldwin.
JUDGES EXPLANATION

WASHINGTON. Dec. 24.-In the report
OF Messrs. Conrad and Bonaparte on their
investigation Of the irregularities In the
Postoffice Department. aliusion Is made. in
connection with their inquiry into the char
ges OF fraud regarding the placing In the
Department OF 'Brandt-Dent cashiers to
possible connection with the case of Judge
Baldwin, United States consul at Nurem-
berg. Germany. The allusion was made
in such a manner to reflect upon the
integrity of that official. The statements
excited deep interest in the West. partic-
ulariy in Ohio, where Judge Baldwin has
been a conspicuous figure. socially and po-
1iticaliy, for many years. The State De-
partment was looked to for proof. The
matter was referred to Third Assistant
Secretary Herbert ID. Pierce, who. after
making an exhaustive investigation, has
submitted to President Roosevelt ex-
tended report. fully generating Judge Bald
win.
In response to a request from Secretary
Pierce. Judge Baldwin submitted a full
statement of his connection with the matter
under investigation. Referring to this. Mr..
Pierce says in his report: Judge Baldwin
seems to have satisfactorily met all the
points covering any improper action on
his part with the purchase by the Post
office Department Of the Brandt automatic
cashiers. He states that in his capacity
as a lawyer. and holding no government
position. he interested himself in the bust
ness OF his son-in-law. VINO was local
agent Of the fraudulent Company. to the
extent of talking with Perry Heath, and
requesting Mr.. Heath TO look into the mat
II he was satisfied that the postmasters
were DESTROYS of purchasing the machines
and that the machine was a meritorious and
useful device, to at least accept and pay
for the machines already in use. and to
purchase such others as there might be le
gftimate demand for.
Judge Baldwin states that the position Of
both Strome and Miller in the company as
their failure TO satisfy the president of the
company with the amount of their sales.
and the correspondence submitted by the
Pcstoffice Department seems to indicate
that these men were using every endeavOr
20 strengthen their position with the pres
fdent of the company Judge Baldwin
states: 1t would seem from the correspond
ence sent me that from this one effort both
Miller and Strome conditionally used my
name in their correspondence and presume
bly, for the purpose OF impressing upon the
company that they were not idle. and that
evidently through some influence 1 pos
sessed a satisfactory arrangement would ul-
t1matelY De maze 10 purchase the machines
In most instances they have used my name
without the slightest warrant based upon
any conversation with me whatsoever. and
i have doubt that they have used the
names OF the distinguished men mentioned
IN the correspondence likewise for the pur-
pose of impressing the company with the
influence at their disposal, and / have no
doubt that the statements and alleged con-
versations with them and promises made
are mythical as most of the statements
made about my connection with the matter.
1.-The allegation that Baldwin appeared
TO have been willing to adopt any measures
that would bring about an order whether
such measures were legitimate influence or
illegitimate use of money. appears to be
based only upon the statement OF Miller
In his letter of April s. 1892 in which he
lind out exactly what this man Beavers
wants TO insure our success in that depart
ment In the way OF dollars and cents but
not to give IL 10 him unless forced TO do
so and when you do. II at all. he desires TO
present himself and plan the agreement
but says 1t Is not even time to think of this
move.
"This Is met by Judge Baldwin with an
absolute specific and categorical denial. as
Is the charge that he was In any way con-
nected with that he had any knowl-
edge of any agreement to pay any moneys
10 briggs or that he knew at all of the
employment Of briggs In any way by the
cit appears to me. therefore, that Judge
Baldwin has satisfactorily met the charges
OF improper or corrupt connection with the
sale OF Brandt automatic cashiers TO the
Postoffice Department and that he should
be deemed exonerated from any publicity
with any fraud or corruption which may
have existed In that business"