Connecticut western news., 1907-08-29
BRANDON OFFICE
 NOT YET OPENED
POSTAL DEPARTMENT CRITICISED

POSTAL DEPARTMENT CRITICISED Moses Lyman of LakeviIle Finds to be
 Untrue the Statement That at Last
 the Rights of Veteran Lamora Have
 Been Restored Armed Guards
 Drive Public off Estate.
 Moses Lyman of Lakeville writes to the Springfield Republican under date of Aug. 18th as follows:
 It is with feelings of anger and dis guest that again bring before the read CTS of The Republican the case of William Rockefeller in the Adirondacks and his private United States postoffice at Bay Pond. Early in July press dis patches from Washington stated that by reason of the publicity given the matter of closing the Brandon postofice and the outrageous treatment accorded citizens trying to get to that postoffice in the private park, guarded by armed re- tainers, the department was investigat- ing the matter thoroughly. and probably ethe Brandon office would be reopened. About the middle of July special dis patch from Washington announced that the veteran, Lamora, had won in his postoffice fight for citizens rights against Rockefeller-that the depart ment found his complaint just and valid one, and had ordered the Brandon postoffice reopened, and the private United States postoffice at Bay Pond closed. received several letters from individuals who had been in correspond hnce with the department at Washing ton, confirming the report as to reopen ing che office at Brandon, but two of them said the Bay Pond office would probably be continued. So direct and positive seemed this information that wrote Postmaster General Meyer, thank ing him, not only for myself, but for the poor yetern, Lamora, and in behalf of all patriotic citizens who love right and justice and hate favoritism and special privilege, for at last fighting wrong and correcting an abuse which ought never to have been allowed.
 have now to take all this back and inform your readersi that there is no postoffice at Brandon tor was not on Aug. 12th), that the veteran Lamora had not received his pension check, and before this month closed would have to appeal to the town for aid. and that the private postoffice at Bay Pond was con- tinued open, and, as heretofore, Rocke- feller's guards, armed with Winchester rifles, were driving citizens off his estate, though they were camping on state land adjoining and were endeavoring to get to Bay Pond postffice :. for their mail. These facts learn by two letters dated Aug 4th and 1lth, written by Frank lin county man who had been in Bran don and his statements are confirmed by the Malone Forum of Aug. 14th, con- taining an article to the same effect.
 Again the people have been fooled. I can see the sardonic grin worn by the master and every henchman as they knew the discontinue of Lamora and the Brandon peasants, and those medding outsiders like Rev. MT. White. The Republican and myself, and every other citizen too patriotic and independ- ent to fall down and worship the golden image I again invite and request roodorv of tbic lottor xvbo haliava in equal rights for all and no special fayors by any department of this government to the influential rich to write as wig orously as they can to the postoffice de partment at Washington protesting against the continuance of this condi- ton of things at Bay Pond, which has been pronounced east, west and south an outrage and disgrace. I also ask editors of newspapers who exchange with The Republican to call the atten, tion of their readers to the inaction ot the postoffiee department (to character ize it by no harsher or truer name) in not correcting this abuse long ago.
 1 understand steps are being taken toward an investigation of this matter by congress next winter; that is long time to wait, and long wait will fol low such action when begun, but con. gressmen should also be written to and their attention called to the matter There is no earthly reason why the de partment cannot and should not do al least this one thing. if it cannot or will not do the other. Let it close Rocke feller's private United States postoffice situated three miles inside his private park, from which the public Is excluded and from which his armed guards con tlnue to drive citizens seeking to get their mail. This done, a stain on the department, which 1t can ill afford longer to bear will be removed and