Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-03
MUST BE
PUNISHED

the report an exceptionally
able, candle, and impartial review of
us subject matter and that it shows
clearly reprehensible misconduct,
accounting in many cases to crime on
che part of a number, of public officials
1t is a voluminous document, but this
arises, not from prolixity, but from the
nature of the matters discussed* I
We heartily commend the, report and
deem its conclusions fully justified by |
the facts it sets forth; and while re.
GREETING in common with all patriotic I
citizens that the grave abuses of long
standing which il reveals should have |
grown up in the postoffice department, I
we consider the exposure of these /
abuses and the attempts made to pun /
ish those responsible for them a work |
of the highest public utility, quickly |
and ably performed In all that is /
thus said of the report of MIR. Bristow
| cordially agree. /
Machen's Case.
"The investigation made by 4 Mr.: /
Bristow discloses a condition of gross !
corruption in the office of;the first as, /
sistant postmaster general andiih that I
OF the assistant attorney, general for /
the postoffice department. In the case I
or the superintendent of free delivery
Machen, the evidence shows that his
misconduct began Immediately after
his appointment in September 1893. In
the case OF the general superintend-
ent of salaries and allowances, rBeav-I
5ers. it began soon after he was ap-I
pointed to that place in 1897. In the /
case OF Assistant Attorney General Ty-
ner it has gone on for number of
years, but it is impossible to say ex-
actly when it began. A melancholy
feature OF the case is that with one
exception all the offenders have been
for number of years in the govern
ment service. The following is a list
OF the fourteen postoffice employees in
the service at the time this inyestiga-I
tlon was begun, who are apparently
most seriously implicated in thel
Wrongdoing, together with an account |
OF the steps that have been taken by
The government in each case and al
statement of the date of original APP
polntment of each man in the service.
Most Deeply Implicated,
(The case of ex-First Assistant
Postmaster General Heath who had
left the service over three years bel
fore this investigation was begun is |
set forth in the report of Mr.. Bristow.)
James N. Tyner assistant attorney
general for postoffice department; APP
pointed special agent, postof1ice del
'partment, March 4, 1861: with inter-
walls OF few years has been in the
service ever since, and was postmaster
general under President Grant for sew
eral months; he was removed April 90
1903; he has since been indicted three
times. 1
"A. w. Machen, general siperin-
tendent free delivery system; appoint
ed clerk in postoffice at Toledo, Ohio,
March 1, 1887; continuously in service
ever since save for three years ;remov-
ed May 81, 1903; has. since been in
dicted fourteen times.
George w. Beavers, general sup
erintendent of salaries and allowances
appointed to clerkship in New York
postoffice January 1881; continuous
service ever since; resignation accept
ed to take effect March 81. 1903; has
since been indicted eight times
James T. Metcalf, superintendent
money order system; appointed post
Office inspector February 2, 1882; has
been in postal service ever since; re-
moved June IT, 1903; has been indict-
ed once.
Daniel " Miller. assistant attorney
postoffice department.; appointed July
l, 1902; removed May rs, 1908: indict-
ed once; after one mistrial was retired
and acquitted.
Louis Kempner superintendent of
registry system; appointed clerk in
New York postoffice August 1856; re-
moved October 81, 1903.
Charles Hedges, superintendent
city free delivery service; appointed
service July j, 1898; removed from Of
fee July %, 1908.
James w. Erwin assistant superin-
tendent of free delivery service; ap-
pointed postoffice inspector June 81.
1887; removed October 10, 1908; In
dicted once.
"W. Scott Towers, superintendent
Station G. Washington, d. c., appoint
ed clerk, Washington postotfice No.
vember 1890; removed October / 1903
indicted three times. rsat
lotto F. Wes, assistant superin-
tendent registry division, New York,
postoff1ce; appointed clerk, New York
postofiice June 1890; removed October
/ q, 1903
ST w. McGregor, clerk,f free delivery
division; in charge of supplies; APP
J pointed postoftice department March.