The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-17
COLONEL HUGHES
Says He GOT
A COLD DEAL

Washington. May 1s--CoI A. N.
Hughes. the deposed postmaster OF Col
umbia. Tenn, was yesterday elected TO
the Ananias club by President Roose-
welt. lie does not enjoy the distinction.
and threatens to make II warm for those
who have impugned his veracity.
The president did not in his own lam
guage call Col Hughes liar" He
merely adopted the language G. q.
Thomson, an employe' of the postoffice
the Columbia postoffice
Thomson said: "I find that Col
Hughes unquestionably had made false
statements to the department and that
ties as postmaster"
The president quoted this language
and adopted IL as his own In a memo
randum' OF the case given out at tho
White House.
Col. Hughes was fighting mad last
night. He declared that he will force
Thomson 10 either disclose the identity
of the person on whose authority he
based his statement, or assume respon-
sibility for his utterances and take the
consequences.
This is a dastardly attempt to assas-
sinste my character" said Col. Hughes.
Bah! bah. Talk about a square deal!
There is no such thing as a square deal
/ was shot In the back by hidden foe.
Il
er. and some one will have TO suffer for
this. told the president and the post
master-general that / cared nothing for
a petty postoffice Job. but that i would
his office, to attempt 10 blacken my rep
utation and question my verncity.
my removal from office is purely be-
cause OF a political deal. Newell san
Tennessee. boasted ten months ago that
he would have my position, and that ~
would be given 10 John w. jackson, who
was the assistant postmaster under my
administration. Assistant Postmaster
General Hitchcock made visit TO the
South on political errand, and my re-
moval was a part of his work. No charges
have been filed against me, and the
charges OF absenteeism are false
while L was away from my onice oy
permission of the postofrice department
attending to my public duties they sent
a creature named Trotter TO make an In
vestigation OF my office. He made an
unfavorable report against me. Then L
objected and a satellite of Hitchcock.
who is employed in his Office. went to
my office during my absence and made
another investigation. Upon the recon-
mendations OF these two men, I was re-
moved. Both these Investigations were
irregular. and these men knew In ad-
vance OF the character of report that was
expected.
''The complaint. IL there was, any.
should have been turned over TO the rog-
ular postal inspectors. learned last night
that they were given the case. but That
IL was instantly taken from their hands
because Hitchcock knew they would not
give the kind of report he desired
Roosevelt and Hitchcock have made
a mistake IL they believe they have
tackled an ignorant country postmaster.
] have held federal positions and there
is not blemish on my reputation as a
soldier, citizen or public official. And /
shall not allow any one to stain my
Character. l shall demand satisfaction.
I will go back to Tennessee In few
DAYS and show Roosevelt. who has given
deck, that I have political influence IN
my state. He will not get the Tennessee
delegation for third term II he do
sires to play the game OF politics with
me. will show him that 1 know how 1t
is done