Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-03-17
sHEPNERosTowN's PART IN THE
POSTOFFICE SCANDAL.

A tremendous hubbub was kicked
up in Congress last week by a report
submitted by the Postofice Depart
ment. Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow in a previous report
had stated that longtime leases tor
postofice premises were Cancelled and
the rent increased upon the recon-
msndation of influential Representa-
tivss;" and, further, "that ifa member
of Congress requested an increase IN
the clerk hire allowed as postmaster
Beavers usually complied, regardless
OF the merits of the case. There
were also other suggestions Of I'M
proper action upon the part OF Repre-
sentative., and many Conersssmen
became quite indignant. A commit
tee was appointed to investigate Bris'
tow's charges and report tde result to
the House. The committee got
good many more facts than it bar
gained for, and its report created
sensation in Congress such as has not
been known in that body for long
time. Fully $50 Representatives and
Senators were reported as having used
their influence to increase rents, clerk
hire and other allowances, and while
not all of these were charged with
improper conduct, a considerable
number were named as having prof
tied directly or indirectly by gener-
Gus allowances or as having trans
crossed official propriety. The re-
port makes very interesting reading,
and the statistics il contains show how
the government money has been used
to reward Republican ofice-holders.
In Shepherdstown the salary OF
Postmaster VIM A Chapline in 1901
wa. 81 200 year, and the rent o.
the room used as po,tofice, includ-
ing fuel and lights, was $3.50 a year.
When Mr. Chspline died, at the re-
quest of Mr.. Dayton and upon the
recommendation of a postofice in
spector the rent was increased to
$40 year, and a lease made for
FIVE year, from July l, 1902 Harry
E. Mundey had been appointed post
master to succeed Mr. Chapline, and
he opposed the lease. He had bought
a house on Main street, and he was
DESTROYS Of adding the snug sum Of
$40 year to bis salary. Mr. Day
ton, whose sympathy was with the
widow of the former postmaster, in
sisted upon giving her the lease, and
it was executed, as above stated.
Postmaster Mundey, however, did
not give up the fight. The rent al
lowed by the government was more
than twice as much as the same room
would rent for if used for ordinary
business purposes, and be meant that
this money should go into his own
pockets. He continued to make COM
plants about the Chapline room, and
Geo. L. Wood, assistant superintend-
ent, made a visit to Shepherdstown
in April, 1908, to investigate. In
statement Of more or less accuracy,
Wood declared that the room was IN
suitable for the postofice. His report
was so strongly against the old loca'
ton that the department cancelled
the fve-year lease Of Mrs. Chapline,
and Postmaster Mundey, with the
assistance of Inspector Wood, having
won his fight against the widow, en-
tered into an agreement by which he
gets $34O for the use Of room in his
own house.
The following is the official CORE
spondence relating to the affair:
Atshepherdstown. W. Va. the salary Of the post
master being SI.2oo year, the allowance Tor rent
was SIso and fuel and light $40.
On February ). 1907. Hon Aston c. Dayton wrote |
the following letter recommending that the PoStot
fee be retained in the quarters then occupied al |
though the postmaster. who owned the premises |
had given place to a new one.
House Of Representatives..
Committee on Naval Affairs
Washington, February }, 1903
First Assistant PoStmaSteT-OeneTal, Washington, |
Dear Sir A change has been made in the post,
Office at ShePherds'o~n. w: va and a ne" post |
master appointed | satisfied that the Presentlo
cation. owned by the old postmaster. MIS-. w. A
Chaplne. Is the proper place tor the ONCE 10 re
nam, and | recommend. Mrs. ChaplIne Is de-
srous Of entering into lease for the building on
very reasonable terms. and to furnish light and heat
ask that pOstofhce inspector be sent there and
contract be made with her
VERY truly. yours.
Member of Congress Second District W. Va.
Form A 81 is filed by Ida NJ Chaphne. offering
year. dated February I3, Igo2 April 7, 1907. Mr.
Dayton wrote the following letter
House Of Representatives.. United States.
COMMITTEE Naval Affairs.
Washington, April 7, 1907.
Hon. George W. Beavers.
''PoStothce Department. Washington, d. c.
"Niy Dear Mr.. Beavers ! some tune ago called
your attention to application made by Mrs Ida
NJ Chaplue for the lease of the postofice building
al ShepherdSiown w. Va This lady constantly
writing me wanting TO know what the Department
will do IN regard the matter Won't you give her
her lease and give me reStG
Very truly, yours,