The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-16
WORK.
He Has the Probing of Another
Big Scandal.
A Number of People in High
Places Concerned.

Washington March 16.-The charges
that have been fled with the president
in the attorney general and postofi1ce
department scandals. are of compre-
hensive character, and if they are sub
stantiated a colossal conspiracy which
has been in progress for years will be
unearthed. One we'll known law firm in
New York. another in Washington a
United States senator and a Baltimore
lawyer are accused in the charges which
have been preferred.
In the investigation which has begun
to disclose alleged connections of an Of
fetal and seni-omciaI character with
get-rlch-Q Quick concerns in various cities,
James Tyner. the assistant attorney
general to the postofilce department, is
a mere incident. Before T. c. Campbell,
the Cincinnati lawyer. reached Wash
ington. the administration had decided
upon it's plan of action Tyner was not
a that time a factor in the management
of the legal affairs of the postoff1ce and
Mr.. BristOW, the fourth assistant post
master general, was already at work on
the investigation which Campbell is al
legged to have started. It was the pur-
pose of the administration. to proceed
quietly and thoroughly with its work
and if the charges were proved make a
thorough overhauling of all departments
involved.
No order has charged General Tyner
with a more serious offense than being
putty in the hands of other men. More
IMAM a lIlOnLn ago SliI4dSLEI &6lCL d
Payne, in conversation with a neWSpa-
per correspondent who talked with him
about the gossip connected with the de-
partment. remarked that General Tyner
would probably never return to active
duties in that office General Tyner was
at that time sick at his home He is
more than seventy years of age and has
spent a life time in the pOstOf1ce de-
partment He resigned from congress
TO become first assistant postmaster
General l1ndHr General -9PyNnlI and F'TpSI-
dent Grant during his second term ap-
pointed him postmaster general Ills
familiarity with the details of the Office
made him a VaIuabl public servant be-
fore old age crept upon him. A charit~
able view of the cases forces the asser-
tion that for several years past General
Tyner has not been himself. Designing
men have in all probability imposed
upon him. These impositions have at
last reached the stage of a public scan
daI For two weeks General Tyner has
been sidetracked so far as his official
connection with the office of attorney
general is concerned and for a much
longer period the work in the Office has
been done by other men.
The developments during the last six
months in various parts of the country
have done incalculabl BILE harm to the pub
lie service. The efficiency of the post
Office inspectors has been impaired
through the lack of cooperation Of the
attorney generals department, and a
cOQQlllOn OIL aIIdlfS mas at ldSl De5u
brought about which viii necessitate q
most comprehensive investigation.
Joseph l. Bristow, fourth assistant
postmaster general who has been placed
in charge of the investigation ordered
by the president, is the official who un-
earthed the Cuban postal frauds.
The present scandals, Ike that in
Cuba, have largely to do with persons
from Indiana. Practically all those in
volved except the United States senator
have an Indiana connection or are for
mer citizens of that state