The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-06-26
BENNErrsv1LLE. s. q, TR1pAY, JUNE %, 1903. Z

ties which he urged should be investi-
gated. He names four employees on
the military roll who appear not to
have performed any service in con-
nection with military postal matters
and for whose original appointment
or continuance on the rolls no good
reason exists. The payment to W..
S. Larner, a military postal clerk, un-
der protest, by the cashier OF Sl1S.93,
subsequently disallowcd by the au-
ditor of the treasury on Jan. 4, 1899
is gone into at length and 1t is shown
that this matter was entirely irreg-
ular and that payments were directed
without proper vouchers.
Attention is called to certain items
Of expenditures authorized for the
military postal service of supplies,
furniture, travelling expenses, ;lggrc-
eating %, 750. 10, with the statement
that the prices paid for some Of the
articles enumerated, such aS wash
stands at $40 each appear To have
been highly excessive.
Attention also is called to addi-
tiunal irregularities in connection with
payrollS Of clerks and laborcrS, and to
charging premiums on the bonds OF
military postal clerks, nOtwi thStantl-
ing such expenses arc not chargcablc
to the United States.
An interesting feature concerns ir-
rcgulariticS III the appointment, com
pensation and promotion Of Oliver II.
Smith. On Nov. 20, 1897, the first
assistant postmaster general author
lied an allowance Of 5000 per annum
for his appointment rs laborer, stat
ing that the free delivery division
would allow 50 per day to cover car
fare and incidental expenses. Smith
drew pay from Nov. %, 1897, to Nov.
30, 1898, making his compcnSa tion
for one year approximately $l,3IS. 90.
The Inspector reports no one has
certified 10 the actual time Smith
was employed nor has any statement
been attached to his pay vouchers
showing what particular service he
rendered. lie was continued in the
dual capacity Of clerk and mechanic
until April |, 500, when he was pro-
noted to he finance clerk at ST, 100
per annum." The inspector says he
knew Of no authority of law for his
appointment or promotion.
Attention is next called by the in-
Spector To certain vouchers, author
lied to be paid by the lirst assistant
postmaster general, such as expenses
Of Perry S. Heath and George w.
Beavers, travelling on official business
The inspector states that these vollch
crS do not appear to have been itcmiz-
cd in the proper manner, nor is the
necessity for the expenditure Of this
money by the Washington postoflice
apparent.
| Attention Is called to seven cleaners
placed on the pay roll OF the WASH
ington Office under authority of the
first assistant postmaster general, 10
be charged to the appropriation for
miscellaneous expenses. The names
OF these cleaners females-are
given. + Is ~ =
The inspector states that neither
the postmaster nor any one connected
with the Washington oillcc was able
to give any information as to where
they were employed or the nature OF
their work, and the inspector is of
opinion that practically no service
whatever has been rendered for the
money expended.
The inspector says that by the over
tapping of a lease executed in 1897
the government lost S625, and that
the building was paid for one month
beyond its occupancy.
The Inspector reports that when
the cashier Of the Washington post
Office on letters from the comptroller
suspended payments to certain per-
sons mentioned he was required to
continue these payments upon direct
written order from the postmaster.
who states he was verbally instructed
in his action by the first assistant
postmaster general.
Tha payments were made under the
cashiers protest.
The Inspector cites payments to
Catherine lIndslcy, Charles a. Mach
en-, A. b. Hurt, II. l.. Lorcnz, John
rs. Leach and Il. w. Wait, on The au-
thority Of the first assistant post
master general of per diem in conncc-
tion with claims OF letter carriers for
overtime charges, aggrcgaLing 81 $50.
The inspector says this account, dis
DurSed from July |, 1898, was disburs-
cd without authority of law. Machcn,
Lorcnz and Hurt il appears were paid
per diem covering the same period by
the disbursing clerk Of the department
OF Justice, from the appropriation for
defending suits in letter carriers
claims against the United States be-
| fore the court Of claims. These par
ties continued To draw pay until the
comptroller called for statement
from them.
The report Of Inspector Little on
the investigation Of the Washington
Office, dated July 81 1900, says that Il
| number Of clerks we're added to the
rolls without request OF the postn.as-
ter and that the postmaster states
| that at times il has been dinicnlt to
find employment for all assigned to
his rolls. The inspector says the
roster appears TO be elastic, to lie adj
tcd to as circumstances arise whether
the postmaster requested it or not.
The aggregate salaries paid to those
not connected with the oilice amount
ed to $4,000.
| No Vulgar Murder.
In Speaking of the murder of The
king and queen Of Scryia the Chatta-
| nOOna Times SAYS at :lnv ratio H. ic