PART III-BRIEF OF INVESTIGATIONS MADE BY EXAMINERS AND BY CORRESPONDENCE SUBSEQUENT TO JANUARY 5, 1893.

AKRON, OHIO, post-office. File 9461.

Charge.-That William B. Dobson, the postmaster, solicited and collected from certain of the employees in his office subscriptions and payments of money for campaign purposes.

Date of investigation.-September, 1896.

Result.-Charges not sustained and dismissed.

ALLEGHENY, PA., post-office. File 6844.

Charge. That political assessments were being levied on the office employees. Date of investigation.-October 13, 1894. Result.-It was found that owing to postmaster's attitude in supporting the law the attempt to levy assessments in Allegheny was a failure. No attempt had been made in Federal building except by letter, which action, according to Attorney-General's letter of April 14, 1894, was no violation of law.

ANNISTON, ALA., post-office. File 9634.

Charge. That Dr. J. C. Le Grand solicited and Postmaster M. A. Smith received in the post-office building contributions for political purposes.

Date of investigation.-September 29, 1896.

Result.-Recommendation made to the Attorney-General that Postmaster Smith and Dr. Le Grand be prosecuted for violation of sections 11 and 12 of the civil-service law.

ANNISTON, ALA., post-office. File 9587.

Charge. That Frank H. Snow, a carrier in the post-office, had received contributions for political purposes.

Date of investigation.-September 29, 1896.

Result.—Snow, 'together with Carriers Johnson and Crawley, was suspended for twenty days without pay, it appearing that the contributions were entirely voluntary, no persuasion, coercion, or solicitation being used.

ANSONIA, CONN., post-office. File 9302.

Charge. That the postmaster discriminated against Thomas Hyde, an eligible on the clerk register, on account of his religious faith.

Date of investigation.-June, 1896.

Result.-Charges not sustained, and dismissed.

ATHENS, GA., post-office. File 4946.

Charge. That July 1 and August 5, 1893, examinations had been improperly held, and that postmaster was purposely obstructing execution of civil-service law.

Date of charge. See minutes September 8 and October 16, 1893.

Date of investigation.-November 3, 4, 5, 1893.

Result.-New examination held November 4. All competitors who desired,

together with improper appointees, reexamined. Postmaster found to have obstructed law through ignorance and not design. Appointments properly made afterwards, through certification.

BATH, ME., post-office. File 4867.

Charge. That the board of examiners was not performing its duties properly. Date of charge.-January 18, 1894. (Reference of chief examiner.)

Date of investigation.―January 23, 1894.

Result.-Board was reorganized.

BETHLEHEM, PA., post-office. File 4734.

Charge.--That postmaster had secured the resignation of an eligible on the rcgister in order to appoint another eligible who could not otherwise be reached.

Date of charge.—August 28, 1895.

Date of investigation.-September 3, 1895.

Result.-There had been no intentional wrongdoing on the part of anyone. No one had been deprived of any right, and the case was dismissed. BIRMINGHAM, ALA., post-office. File 4859.

Charge. That postmaster had reported eligibles as having declined appointment when such appointment had not been tendered them.

Date of charge.-Letter of November 28, 1895.

Date of investigation.-December 16, 1895.

Result.-Thero had been no intentional wrongdoing. Confusion resulted from carelessness of postmaster and secretary of board, who had failed to notify postmaster that Ullman was an eligible. Secretary was relieved from board duty. Proper appointment was made. Case dismissed.

BRADDOCK, PA., post-office. File 4795.

Charge. That postmaster was making appointments and removals improperly. Date of charge.-August 9 and 14, 1894.

Date of investigation.—September 24, 1894.

Result.-Charges proved to be totally unfounded and case dismissed.

BRIDGETON, N. J., post-office. File 4910.

Charge. That Carriers A. F. Zane, T. Ewing, R. Bard, and A. Smith, jr., had been removed for political reasons.

Date of charge.-Letter of August 29, 1894.
Date of investigation.-October 6, 1894.

Result.-Report of Commission's examiner submitted to Department October 13, with recommendation that Bard and Zane be reinstated. October 16 Department refused to reinstate the men. No further action.

BRIDGETON, N. J., post-office. File 9360.

Charge. That provisions of sections 5, 11, and 12 had been violated by Postmaster Laning at Bridgeton.

Date of charge.-Various dates in April and May, 1896.

Date of investigation.-May 13 and 14 and June 5 and 6, 1896.

Result.-Postmaster Laning was removed upon the Commission's request.

CALUMET, MICHI., post-office. Filo 9324.

Charge. That the papers of James O'Brien, a competitor in the March 7, 1896, examination, were changed by his brother, Michael E. O'Brien, a member of the local board.

Date of investigation.-July, 1896.

Result.-O'Brien confessed his guilt, and the Commission requested the Post-Office Department to remove him from the service. The Department refused, stating that the offense was not sufficient to warrant such action, and stating further that $50 of O'Brien's salary had been withheld as punishment. The Commission then referred the matter to the Attorney-General, requesting O'Brien's prosecution for violating section 5 of the civil-service act. February 17, 1897, the Attorney-General advised the Commission that a letter of instructions had been written the United States attorney

CALUMET, MICH., post-office-Continued.

at Grand Rapids, Mich., directing him to investigate the case and institute such proceedings as might be proper. No further action up to this time.February 23, 1897.

CANTON, ILL., post-office. File 4737.

Charge. That postmaster had illegally removed James Barron, stamper, and appointed Stella Knischka as his successor.

Date of charge.-September 21 and October 15, 1894.

Result.-Case submitted to Department in letters of September 25, October 24, and November 6, 1894. Investigated by post-office inspector. Barron ordered retained in service; Miss Knischka removed.

CARLISLE, PA., post-office. File 4441.

Charge. That examination of February 10, 1894, had been fraudulently conducted by board.

Date of charge.-March 5, 6, 7, 1894.

Date of investigation.-March 23, 24, 1894.
Result.-Competitors reexamined.

It was found that the errors made were

chargeable to ignorance and carelessness, and not design. No further

action.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., post-office. File 4408.

Charge. That Postmaster Robertson was causing removals for political reasons. Date of charge.-September 27, 1893.

Date of investigation.-October 25, 26, 1893.

Result.-Case submitted to and investigated by the Department. It was found that the removals had not been made for political reasons. See letter January 6, 1894.

CINCINNATI, OHIO, internal-revenue office. File 9463.

Charge. That political assessments were being levied daily in the internal-revenue district, with headquarters at Cincinnati.

Date of charge.-August 1, 1896.

Date of investigation.-September 11, 12, 1896.

Result.-Case submitted to Attorney-General on September 26, with recommendation that the proper United States attorney be directed to institute proceedings against Collector Joseph H. Dowling and Deputy Collector Joseph E. Kinninger for violations of the civil-service act. Case also submitted to Treasury Department on September 26, with a request for the removal of Messrs. Dowling and Kinninger for violations of the civilservice act. Dowling and Kinninger were removed by the President on January 25, 1897.

CLARKSVILLE, TENN., post-office. File 4933.

Charge.-Fraud in examination of T. T. Gilbert; attempted evasion of the law by postmaster.

Date of charge.-August 20, 1894.

Date of investigation.-October 22, 1894.

Result. It was found that while the circumstances aroused much suspicion, there had really been no fraud in Gilbert's examination, and that the postmaster had not and did not intend to violate the law.

COLUMBUS, OHIO, post-office. File 7773.

Charge. That political assessments were being levied on the employees by the Democratic committee.

Date of charge.-October 3, 1895.

Date of investigation.-November 25, 1895.

Result. This case is still pending, awaiting decision from the courts in a similar case, to establish whether solicitation of Federal employees by mail is a violation of the law.

DEFIANCE, OHIO, post-office. File 4883.

Charge. That employees were about to be removed for political reasons.
Date of charge.-April 22, 1894.

Date of investigation.-May 2, 1894.

Result.-Nothing found on which Commission could take action, as no overt act had been committed. Investigation thought to have prevented it.

DENVER, COLO., post-office. File 9659.

Charge. That William R. Morley, an engineer in the post-office building, had solicited money from the employees of the post-office, it being understood that such money was to be sent to one St. John, in New York City, to be used as campaign money in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa.

Date of investigation.-Between dates of October 26 and November 5, 1896.
Result.-Morley was removed by Treasury Department, in accordance with the
Commission's recommendation, and matter was referred to Attorney-Gen-
eral for prosecution.

DES MOINES, Iowa, post-office. File 7010.

Charge. That J. C. Hansen, B. J. Foley, and W. H. Reineck had been guilty of levying political assessments on post-office employees.

Date of charge.-January 10, 1895.

Date of investigation.—January 10, 1895.

Result.-Case submitted to Attorney-General for prosecution January 21.

Cor

respondence from that date to December shows that District Attorney Fullen was prejudiced against the prosecution of the offenders. Nothing done in any case except Hansen's, who pleaded guilty at the November, 1895, term of court, and who, on recommendation of district attorney, was fined $50 and costs.

DES MOINES, Iowa, post-office. File 7367.

Charge. That Carrier Isaac Williamson had been removed on account of his

politics.

Date of charge.-March 25, 1895.

Result.-Case submitted to Department March 28, 1895.

notified Williamson that it approved of his removal.

May 7, Department
See Mr. Hull's letter

of May 9. At verbal request of Commissioner Procter, May 15, 1895, Department reopened its investigation of the case. November 12, 1895, Department advised Commission that, after an exhaustive investigation, it had been found that Williamson's removal had been for the good of the service. No further action.

DES MOINES, Iowa, post-office. File 7367.

Charge. That Postmaster Richter caused removal of Carriers R. A. Wilburn, C. N. Ferree, Alfred Anderson, and Clerk A. L. Davis for political reasons. Date of charge.-December 6, 10, 11, 1894.

Date of investigation.-January 10, 1895.

Result.-Cases submitted to Department January 22, 1895. April 11, Department declined to take any action looking to the reinstatement of the men removed.

DETROIT, MICH, custom-house. File 6173.

Charge. That competitors in April, 1894, examination were in collusion.
Date of charge.-June 11, 1894.

Date of investigation.-June 19, 1894.

Result.-Charges fully sustained. Examinations of the (37) eligibles canceled and their reexamination ordered. Twenty-three appeared for reexamination and only 13 passed. See letter of July 31, 1894.

DETROIT, MICH., custom-house. File 6450.

Charge.--That certain examinations prior to 1890 and during 1891-92, were fraudulently conducted by Charles H. Abrey, then secretary.

H. Doc. 321-19

DETROIT, MICH., custom-house-Continued.

Date of charge.-May 25, 1894. (Charge made verbally to Mr. Lead

put in writing.)

Date of investigation.-May 25, 1894.

Result.-Two of the appointees from such fraudulent examinations were required to make oath as to the proper conduct thereof. Both men ordered reexamined, August 28, 1894. J. A. Graham refused to be reexamined. G. A. Dick was reexamined and attained good average. Dick relieved of suspicion. September 13, Commission recommended to Treasury Department that Graham be dismissed. Both men removed from service, it appearing that Dick's good average was attained by subsequent study. See letter from Mr. Smith, October 26, 1894. (Secretary Abrey had previously been removed from service for cause.)

DETROIT, MICH., post-office. File 9323.

Charge. That Oliver Bourke, jr., secretary of the local board of examiners, made entries in deficient applications which should have been made by the applicants and their vouchers.

Date of investigation.-July, 1896.

Result.-Bourke was removed from the service.

DIXON, ILL., post-office. File 4612.

Charge. That all eligibles had declined appointment, or so reported.

Date of charge.—February 23, 1894.

Date of investigation.-March 10, 1894.

Result.-No action taken, it being found that all the eligibles had good positions in a shoe factory and therefore could not afford to accept small salaried position.

ELKHART, IND., post-office. File 9231.

Charge. That carrier W. E. Livengood loitered on his route and was careless in the delivery of mail.

Date of investigation.-June, 1896.

Result.-No action taken by the Post-Office Department, the offense not being deemed of such a character as to warrant removal.

ELMIRA, N. Y., post-office. Files 4641, 8165.

Charge. That postmaster removed Mrs. S. R. Ingersoll, clerk, for political rea

sons.

Date of charge.--November, 1895.

Date of investigation.-November, 1895, to July, 1896.

Result.-The Department advised the Commission on December 10, 1896, that

Mrs. Ingersoll was removed from the post-office at Elmira for the good of the service, it appearing that she failed to report for duty. No further action taken.

ELMIRA, N. Y., post-office. File 4641.

Charge. That Peter B. Rutan, clerk, had been removed for political reasons.

Date of charge.-Letter July 20, 1895.

Date of investigation.-July 29, 1895.

Result.-It was found that Rutan's removal had been made on account of his incompetency, and the charge was dismissed.

ELMIRA, N. Y., post-office. File 9342.

Charge. That William P. Roosa, carrier in the post-office and chairman of the local board of examiners, was instrumental in organizing a "McKinley League," and was looked upon by the other carriers as a leader.

Date of investigation.-August, 1896.

Result.-Postmaster withdrew his charge.