Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1903-05-22
TULLOCH'S CHARGES
Makes Public Alleged Rotten Deal
iugs in P. 0. Department.
WHEN HEATH HAD A HAND
Before II Was Built-An Inspector
Favoritism Shown.

Washington May 1S.-The full text
Of the formal charges Oh irregularities
In the administration OF postal affairs
preferred by Seymour w. Tulloch.
formerly cashier OF the Washington
city postofiice, was made public Sun
day by Mr.. Tulloch. The charges are
embodied in letter TO Postmaster-Gen.
eral Payne in response to the latter's
request to be furnished any informa
ton that would substantiate published
statements OF Mr. Tulloch. Some OF
the matters complained OF will be in
vestigated Immediately by the inspec.
tors
Mr.. Tulloch says that in all in.
stances OF irregularities and favoritism
the proper allowances, records, vouch-
ers, etc. were most carefully executed
and kept. as rule, and little informa-
ton can be ascertained by their inves-
tigation; that the real facts behind the
allowances and vouchers are not OF
record and are known to few-"those
interested who will not. and others
clerks WHO care not talk"
The First Break.
For ~ wards Of nineteen years"
the letter -ecites, the conduct Of af.
fa.rs between the Washington city
postc doe I'd the postofice depart.
ment was regular then came the first
break he precursor OF system Of al.
lowanCes 20 the Washington postoffice
on account Of departmental expendi.
lures which afterwards led TO irregu.
larities abuses. extravaganza and my
removal as an obstacle Oh June so.
1899
Soon after the Mckinley admins.
tration came into power the first as
sistant postmastergeneral sent his
clerk down 10 me with a voucher for
a lump sum for travelling expenses. &C
companied by an allowance for their
payment from the funds Of the Wash.
ington office. Such a demand was IT.
regular on its face, but the official be-
came very angry at the idea OF a mere
cashier attempting 10 make any sug-
gestions TO him, and refused 10 amend
and itemize his voucher. The post
master explained to him that | had
only asked for what was required by
the auditor and according TO prece-
dent. The postmaster upon his return
stated the official had said Look
here now, this is a new administration
and a new crowd, and we intend 10
make our own precedents.
Holt Livingston presented vouch-
ers for payment one afternoon. amount
ing TO several hundred dollars, for
postal furniture. declined to pay un-
less some responsible official would
acknowledge the receipt Of the goods.
whereupon Mr.. Livingston became con
fidential and told me his company did
not have very much capital, that work
had not yet even begun upon the fur
niture, but that George had agreed 10
advance him the money in payment.
1T Is needless TO add 10 payment
was made"
Mr. Tulloch says that Postofice In
spector William b. Smith OF this city
made an inspection Of the Washington !
postofiice and during that inspection
received word from an associate Of the |
first assistant postmaster-general that !
he would better be careful or he might |
lose his own head.
Fsvortsm.
On the question OF favoritism in ap. |
pointments he says: "Oliver II. Smith |
OF Muncie, Ind, was an intimate friend |
and associate OF Perry s. Heath. The |
latter. Nov. 20, 1897, wrote as follows |
TO the Washington postmaster:
i have this day allowed you 5000 |
per annum 10 provide for the appoint.
ment OF Oliver II. Smith as n laborer /
at the several stations connected with |
your office. Mr.. Smith will act in a
dual capacity, serving both clerks and
The free delivery division
will also make an allowance Of 50 per
day TO cover car fares and incidental
expenses for Mr.. Smith, who IS, be-
lieve, TO report 70 you on the morning
Of the 23d inst"
Mr. Tulloch says the classification
act OF March 2, 1889, was ignored by
First Assistant Postmaster-General
Heath and that sundry persons desig-
mated finance clerks, auditors, etc.
were paid illegally from 5000 10 $500
each per annum over their lawful sal
aries.
With only one or two exceptions the
as cleaners. laborers.
etc, he says, were evasiOns OF the civil
service and the parties did not perform
he duties implied in their official des.
gnations, often no service whatever.