Year: 1872

WASHINGTON, July N.-One OF your "aSh'nBV""
dispatches about the latter part OF June last gave
some facts in relation to the Postmaster at Selma
Ala. but. although it exposed most reprehensi-
BILE conduct on the part of the Postmaster-Genelai
in that affair it failed for want of the necessary de-
tails to present his conduct in its true and perhaps
criminal light viii recount the facts in substance
"a 7 heard them from prominent member OF Con-
gress from that State


Last fall q money package was received as a dC-
post of Government funds at the designated o'pos-
itory in Atlanta, Ca, from George r. Mario"'
Postmaster at Selma Ala, and receipt for the same
was promptly given. The suspicious character
of the envelope attracting attention, the scar
at broken. and there were found, IN hen OK
bank notes to the amount of $4,000, which the pack
age purported to contain, number OF slips cut fron
an Atlanta newspaper of such bulk and form as TO
represent a considerable package of money. Tho
Department was Immediately informed of the mat
ter and special agents sent TO Investigate tho
matter. 1t was generally assumed that the package
had been robbed Oh its way TO the depository. Tho
detectives, however. inquired into the depositor
Marlow's accounts with the Government. Finding
that he was greatly behind in his deposits their sns-
picions were naturally directed against him, and
thew soon accumulated the most ample proof that
NARROW had appropriated to his own use consld-
erable mart Of the Government funds that had como
into his possession from the sale of stamps; that'
being suddenly ordered to remit what was dho
to the depository at Atlanta, and finding nm
self unable TO comply with the Order he at
tempted to fasten the charge of robbery on the
route agent between the two cities and that III
executing this plot he substituted for bank notes u
bundle of newspaper slips carefully prepared that
the bulk would not excite suspicion and ma
nipulated the envelope in such manner as to giYe
it the appearance Of having been broken or
tampered with en- route. The special agents ac-
cordngly reported to the POstmaster-Genera,
and NARROW was put under arrest. Every
honest man would say that the latter should
now be /" where the dogs would MT bark at
him. But it seems he had a friend IN the
person Of Senator Spencer who, through hie
influence generally with Creswel and by represent
ing that MARROW would be of immense importance to-
the Administration in Alabama during the Presiden-
tial campaign, succeeded in obtaining an order for
| Marlow's release and for his restoration to Office
| upon the condition, however, that he lhlarlow)
should make up the deficiency in his account at the
rate of $500 per quarter. 1t may with some reason
| be doubted whether the POstmaster-General would
commit a greater otiense toward society and good
government in the prostitution Of the Civil Service
by selecting for postmaster convict from the penn"
tentiary who had not served out the of his
tence.


But NARROW had not been informed as to the char
acter of the evidence against him; indeed, he IN
ferred from The action Of the Department in re-
storing him to office that he had been arrested
merely upon suspicion. and judged that action TO bo


confession of the failure of the Government TO OBJ


tain proof against him. Encouraged by this
delusion, he proceeded to Washington, ap-
peared before the POstmaster-General, renewed
| the charge of robbery against the Touto-
| agent, and urged bis reasons in support Of
that charge. Mr. Creswell accorded him patient
| hearing, but at last becoming weary Of his per-
sistence conducted him to the room of the special


agent and directed that he be allowed to read the


evidence there lodged against him. He read to his


entire satisfaction complete exposure of his own


yillainy; and there, with closed doors and in tho
presence of the confidential agent of the Govern


ment, NARROW confessed his guilt.


NARROW returned to Selma, with injunction to
| earn his pardon by working hard for Grant, and,
| after some delay, made up the deficiency IN
| his account with the Government. IL
| them as your Washington dispatch stated, that


the nomination of Henry Cochran for the po-


stion of postmaster at Selma Ala, sent TO the


Senate on the joint recommendation of Senator
| Spepcer and Representative Turner But it was


accompanied by any charge OF evidence against


MARROW. Hearing of this nomination, two delegates
| to the Philadelphia Convention from Alabama,
| named Coon and Clark, demanded of Cochran,
precedent to his confirmation, written agreement
to support Spencer for reelection TO the Senate and
Coon for Governor of the State and to give Spencer
and Coon control of the patronage of the postoico
for which he was nominated. In this demand Coon
and Clark were seconded by Senator Spencer But
Cochran refused to accede to it, and the Senate in
tha


refused to confirm the nomination of Mr.. Cochran.
OF course this refusal based upon good and suf
fcent reasons furnished to that body by Mr. Spen-
Ger at the instance of Coon and Clark, of whom
Spencer stands in ave. During all this which at
the time was well known TO the Postmaster-Genera


Marlow continued in the office of Postmaster
and not the slightest intimation of his unfitness
was sent TO the Senate This is the second instance
that has come TO my notice of fraud on tho
Senate by the appointing power. The first was
the case of Controller Hulburd. Here they were
quietly hurried to confirm the nomination of man
to of the most responsible offices in the Treasury
at time when not only the official conduct of the
nominee the subject of investigation by COM )
mite of the lower House. but when that committee
had obtained unquestonable proof of his dishonesty
OF this, however, the Senate was ignorant. But az
much cannot be said for the Secretary of the Treas
ury, who was promptly informed Of the develop
ments made in the investigation. That astute
politician may have the craft to answer quite
to his own satisfaction why he sent in HUI
burds nomination, but have little faith in bis
ability to Justify himself i'll the eyes of the people
But as to the in hand the Senate acting in the
dark refused 10 displace from office man who so
far from being worthy Of the position he held. mer
tied the severest punishment the law would allow
A few days after the adjournment of Congress one
honest member of the Alabama delegation. "A