The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-05
Postmaster Lewis of Bes- semer Writes Sensa-
 tiOnal Letter
OFFERS RESOLUTION
 TO PROBE CONDITIONS
Lewis Charges Postmasters of South Are Practically Forced to Line Up for Taft-Mentions Promi-
 nent Republicans of City
Ky WALTER HARPER

Ky WALTER HARPER
 Washington. March A. Special. )- Alabama figured prominently in an at tack on republican political methods In the south made by Senator Bristow on the floor of the Senate today. The sen ator introduced resolution calling for an investigation by the postoffice com mittees into charges that postoffice in- spectors are being used as political agents by the Taft administration in the south, and that in other respects there is fragrant political activity in the postofflce department in behalf of the. President. ~
 The senator tossed a frebrand into the Senate by his resolution, apparently aimed at President Taft, urging an in- auiry into reports that 10 nominations of federal office holders in North Caro- lima had recently been withdrawn by the President to influence politicians in that state.
 Senator Brstow read into the record letter from Postmaster Lewis of Bes- semer. which makes some grave charges.
 The resolution went to the committee on contingent expenses and if 1t is finally adopted some sensational dis closures are expected.
 Lewis Letter
 Following is the letter from Postmas- ter Lewis in part:
 "Bessemer. Ala, February 24, 1912. MT. W. H. Marles, Postoffice Inspector,
 Washington, D. c.
 "Sir-I am in receipt of your letter dated February IT, purporting to have been mailed me from Washington, D. C., when in fact the envelope in which the letter was contained shows the postof- flee stamp of Birmingham. Ala, and the fact that I saw you in person on the day this letter was written shows that it was not written in Washington, but written since you came to Alabama. You stated in your letter that charges of pernicious political activity have been preferred against you (me), and you graciously give me an oportunity to make any statement that may desire for consideration of the department.
 Peculiar Circumstances
 The 'pernicious political activity as you term 1t, Is stated in your letter to have been committed by me in May. 1911. and in December, 1910. It is a fact pregnant with meaning that you should appear in Birmingham two days after I, as member of the republican congressional executive comittee of this district saw proper to exercise my right as free American citizen and to vote for resolutions indorsing Theodore Roosevelt for President It is also strange, if not matter pregnant with meaning, that you should appear per sonally in this district to investigate a postmaster about matters occurring more than 1s months before, not only on the day, but at the very hour when a political meeting was being held in this city, when 1t Is matter of public notoriety that the federal office hold CTS in the southern states, and especial . ly the state of Alabama, are mass Of seething political activity.
 "It Is a matter further pregnant with meaning that while you are here in this community in person you should shut your eyes 10 the most fragrant examples of 'pernicious polit. teal activity in behalf of President Taft while you direct the searchlight of your investigations along these lines only against a few postmasters who have expressed 8 preference for Roose- welt.
 Charles Aldrich Was Active
 If you cared to extend your inves- tigations along line of political &C., tiyity' you could, and can now, easify ascertain that on the night before the meeting of the republican congressional executive committee of this district Truman H. Aldrich, postmaster in Bir- mingham. Ala, although not mem Der of the committee, held caucus in his office in the postoffice building in this city which lasted far into the night on the night before the com mittee meeting, al which were present other postmasters, members of the con- fnittee and other officials. It Is mat ter of common knowledge that passers- by near the hour of midnight could hear discussions and speeches being made in his office by partisans of Pres fdent Taft. It is also matter of com mon knowledge. well known to the public that said postmaster. Truman H. Aldrich, attended in person in Mag nolia hall, in Birmingham, Ala, tive meeting of republican district executive committee. and was seated on the floor of the committee and when it was de- yeloped on the roll call that is mem bers of the committee stood in favor of indorsing Roosevelt for President and II members were opposed, that in conjunction with those II members said Aluf1cn got up III the meeting ana withdrew them from the floor of the committee and at the time of his with drawal became so excited that he shook his fist at member of the committee and stated to him that he would set tie with him outside
 Quotes Aldrich Letters
 Tn addition to this, said Aldrich has been writing letters to postmasters and others over his district endeayoring to line them up in opposition to Col onel Roosevelt, and in favor of Presi- dent Taft. Right here will give you "a sample by quotation from one of Aldrichs letters.
 We are counting on you to be with us and for the Taft administration. There is scheme on foot which will explain ic you when l see you. Do not commit yourself 10 Brother Lewis until have personal talk with you
 If under your oath of office you desir, to pursue thls laudable purpose of yours to prevent political activity to it's legit. innate and proper conclusion, you will ax tend your investigation to one F. E Barker postmaster at Mobile, Ala, who's. frequent absences from his official duties at Mobile has occasioned comment ant criticism throughout the state of Alabama and who now is engaged in writing let | ters to various postmasters over the star, asking them to line up in their indorse-