Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

POSTAL THIEVES IN THE TOILS. Developments in tbs "Get-Rich jjaick" Bribery Gases. Ryan, the Man Who Furnished Money to Bribe Corrupt Officials Turns Stats Evidence and Furnishes Documents. ,_\ Washington, May 26.-United States Marshal Henry C. Pettit, at Rockville, Ind, notified the ' department by tele fraph today of the arrest of Joseph M. oh ns, the man charged with con? spiracy in the alleged bribery of Daniel V. Miller, the assistant attorney of : the postoffice department, who was arrested last night Johns will be tried with Miller at Cincinnati. Tbe cases will be presented to the Federal grand ? - i arv, which meets there on October 8. According to evidence in possession of the postal authorities Johns received $4,500 as a result of the decision of Acting Assistant Attorney General Christiancy that the Ryan Turf Investment Company was entitled to use the mails. Miller was an assistant of Christiane?. The authorities here say that Johns was not an attorney of the Ryan con? cern, but has been a life-long friend and political associate of Miller. The exact division of the $4,500 is not known. Miller was "at the post-office department today in conference with Assistant Attorney Geneial Robb, who closely questioned him regarding the case The case of the Arnold Com? pany, the turf investment concern which was responsible for the first charges against the office of the assist? ant attorney general, and which, despite the adverse report of postoffice inspectors, obtained a favorable de? cision from the office, is still under investigation. The checks which figure in the al? leged payments to Miller and Johns, which are in possession of the depart? ment, are for $3,400. They were sup? plemented with a cash payment of ?1,100. The checks are signed by the Ryan COL se m and made out to Johns's order and endorsed by him. Ryan has agreed to be a witness for the Govern? ment. He has furnished the depart? ment with all the information in his possession, including the documents. While the department cannot guarantee Ryan's immunity, it will put his service in giving State's evidence in the best light before the Court. Mil^r had charge of the in? vestigation of the Ryan case and pre? pared the letter, which Acting As? sistant General Christiancy signed. This letter, which constituted the de? cision of the department, allowed the concern to use the mails, and was sign? ed December 10. The decision in the Arnold case, which served as a prece? dent, and whose language is followed, was signed by Assistant Attorney Gen? eral Tyner, December 4. JOHN J. RYAN'S CONFESSION. Cincinnati, May 26.-John J. Ryan, whose confessions caused the arrest of Miller and Johns, operated his "get rich-quick' ' turf investment concern from here and from St Louis and ran winter races at Newport, Ky. Other warrants hare been issued as a result of the investigation of the postoffice inspectors. Ryan is here now and ad? mits that he operated some time at St Louis before the inspectors got aft? er him, and later he was called to Washington. Ryan says : **I was sore because i had heard that concerns like mine stood in with the postoffice department by giving up $25,000, I felt that those who were standing in with the department were behind the investigation so as to get me out of their way. " After returning from Washington to St Louis last November, Ryan says, he get a telegram from Attorney Johns, of Rockville, Ind, that Johns cou\d be of service to him with the department at Washington, and later Ryan and Johns met in Terre Haute. There, Ryan -says, Johns explained how close he was to Miller and how Miller had accepted a $2,000 job in the post-office department at Washington with the idea that the job had certain *' trimmings, " such as, Ryan says, Johns explained, Ryah would be able to furnish. Ryan declared that Johns asked $5,000 to get from Miller a let? ter from the attorney general's office -snowing Ryan was entitled to use the mails. Later Ryan say Johns came down to $2,500 and the proposition was accepted. A proposition to pay $2,000 lor literature so worded it would pass muster if it was ever taken up in the mails was later accepted. Ryan asserts Johns delivered the let? ter and literature to him on December 16. Ryan says he gave Johns $1,100 cash and checks, dated December 17, one for $2,000 and one for $1,400. Then, Ryan says, everything went along smoothly until the trouble of February 9. A" week later a fraud order was issued against Ryan, and Ryan says an effort for another shake? down was put on foot, but he would not stand for it He says he received more telegrams from Johns. Ryan says he preserved all the. telegrams and letters. JOHNS HELD TO BAIL. Terre Haute, Id, May 26.-Joseph H. Johns, who is charged with com? plicity in the Milier-Ryan postal scan? dal, was arraigned before Commission? er Higgins today and gave bond for $1,500 for bis appearance before Federal judge Anderson at Indianapolis, June 25. His bond was sighed by several citizens of Rockville, who acompanied him to this city. He refused to make any statement The warrant under which he was arraigned charged conspiracy too receive personal com? pensation for services to divers persons in which the United States was in? terested. Washington, May 27.-The Philip? pines are having their postal scandals as well as Washington. Two oases were reported by mail to the war de dartment today. One is that of Former Postmaster Milne, &t Tacio ban, Leyte, who is accused not only of taking $2,000 current coin of the Uni? ted States, but even the 400-pound safe, which is supposed to have con? tained the money. Flower baskets of many sizes and artistic shapes for sale" at H. G. Osteen & Co's book store. BURAL"ROUTE MACHEN ARRESTED. Another Development in the Postal Scandals. Mr. Machen, the Head of the Rural Free Delivery Service, is Arrested for Having Made $18,981.78 by a Dishonest Use of the influence of his Position. I Washington May 27.-By far the f most sensational development of the j postofiSce investigation np to this time occurred today, when August W. i Machen, the general superintendent ? of the free delivery service, was ar? rested on a warrant issued upon the ! information of postoffice inspectors charging him with having recieved "rake-offs" from contracts made with the local firm of Groff Brothers for a patent postal bps fastener. The warrant specifically charges him with receiving $18,981.78 since August 8, 1900. it is alleged, however, at the department that this amount does not represent all that Machen obtained in correction with these contracts, it being charged that he profited, by them for several years prior to thVdate of the first con? tract mentioned in the warrant Other arrests are to follow. Immediately after Mr. Machen was taken into custody the Postmaster General issued an order removing him from office. He had been prac? tically under suspension for a fort? night pending the investigation into his bureau. The discovery of Machen's alleged interests in the contracts was made quite accidentally by the in? spectors some three weeks ago, and since then their energies had been directed toward making ont a case. Last night, after the authorities had become convinced that they were in possession ol' the necessary evidence, Mr. Machen was notified to appear at the department this morning. He did so and was subjected to a "sweating" process by the inspectors and Mr. Bristow for three hours, but no ad? mission that he had profited by the contracts could be obtained from him. He declined to answer many questions on the ground that they related to his private business, but insisted to the end that he had not received a cent improperly. Nevertheless he was a res ted on the warrant which had been prepared and was taken before a United States com? missioner, where his attorney im? mediate^ demanded a full hearing. AssistaifrBistrict Attorney Taggart however, was not ready to proceed with the- case and the hearing was set for June 5. Mr. Machen gave $20,000 bond, furnished by a Philadelphia bonding company, for his appearance, declining to accept the proffer of friends to go on his bond. After his release he declined to make any state? ment beyond the single declaration that- the whole thing was a grand stand play and would come ont all right. His attorney declared /that at the proper time they would show con? clusively that he had been guilty of no wrong in connection with the contracts and, on the contrary, they. would be able to show that his ad? ministration of the free delivery ser? vice had been characterized by ability and integrity. The department officials claim that their evidence is conclusive. It is understood that civil snit will be entered to recover from Machen the amount he is alleged to have received on the contracts. The warrant for Maehen's arrest was drawn by As? sistant United States District Attorney Taggart on a sworn statement made today by Walter S. Mayer, a post office inspector from the Chicago dis? trict, before United States Commis? sioner Anson S. Taylor, in this city. Inspector Mayer, in the several counts in the complaint, alleges the receipt by Mr. Machen of several specified sums aggregating $18,981.78, in con? nection with the purchase for the use of the department of certain letter box fasteners. After setting forth Mr. Machen's official position as superintendent of free delivery service in the postoffice department the complaint ' says that as such superintendent, Machen was charged, with the daty and invested with the power, under the superpision and with the approval of the first as? sistant Postmaster General, of pur? chasing for the use of the department certain articles, among them "letter box fasteners. " Inspector Mayer then states than one Samuel B. Groff and one Diller B. Groff are the owners of a patent invention for such letter box fasteners and were engaged in busi? ness as Groff Bros. The statement then says that on July 2, 1900, Super? intendent Machen procured the is? suance of an order by the first as? sistant Postmaster General for 5,000 complete and 2,087 half fasteners of the Groff variety at the rate of $1.25 for one complete and $2.25 for two half fasteners, and that as superintendent, he recommended and tbe treasury paid $7,551.88 to the Groff Bros., for the fasteners aforesaid. The statement frben proceeds : "The said order was procured by the said August W. Machen npon a col? lusive understanding and agreement between him and the said Diller B. Groff, that he, the said August W. Machen, was to be paid a certain pro? portion of the poceeds of any warrant to be issued in payment of the articles supplied under said order, and the promise of him, the said Di ?1er B. Groff, to pay such proportion ; and that after and on the 8th day of Au? gust, A. D., 1900, the said August W. Machen did ask, accept and receive of and was paid by said Diller B. Groff, pursuant to such collusive understand? ing and agreement the sum of $3,020.74." Then follow a number of other counts alleging the receipt by Mr. Machen of the following specific sums in connection with sales of letter box fasteners to the Government: September 20, 1900, $2,501: Decem? ber 18, 1900, $3,000; August 31, 1901, $1,271; September 9, 1901, $753.50; January ll, 1902, $724.98: January 20, 1902, $2,500: April 9, 3902, $2,360.56; August 22, 1902, $2,850. According to statements of postoffice department officials there was a go between for the alleged transactions in connection with the contracts. The identity of this person is withheld by the department, and the officials re? fuse to say what steps, if any, have been taken looking to his apprehen? sion. It is stated that he does not re side in Washington and is not here at present. Postmaster General Payne was asked tonight for the name of this man, but declined to discuss the subject, adding that he knew nothing about it. The inspectors, however, it is stated, know j the identity and movements of the j intermediary. He may be arrested at j any time. The inspectors say the evidence they have is of the most comprehensive nature. It " includes many drafts of an alleged incriminat? ing character, bearing the signature of Mr. Machen. The evidence was worked np principally in Washington, though much of it was obtained in other parts of the country. The final decision to make the arrest was reach? ed at 3 o'clock this morning, after a protracted conference between the united States district attorney and the inspectors. The arrest created a profound sensa? tion at the postoffice department. The news spread rapidly and within a few minutes after the arrest the fact was known generally. Postmaster General Payne lost no time in communicating the news to the public, summoning the newspaper men and saying: "Mr. Machen is now under arrest in this building. He has received a large sum of money from the contractors who sup? ply the Government with certain articles. The amount he is charged with receiving is over $20,000. The department will make a statement later in the d?y, as soon as it can be prepared." NO FURTHER ARRESTS MAUL Washington, May 28.-A large corps of inspectors, including some of the veterans of the service, were at work probing into the alleged irregularities of the postoffice department today, but no further arrests were made. It is said to be possible that the inter? mediary who it is alleged figured in the transactions which led to the arrest of August W. Machen, the former gen? eral superintendent of the free deliv? ery service, may turn state's evidence. His identity has not yet been dis? closed. Mr. Machen's counsel issued a statement asserting his ability to fully disprove all the charges. The investigating officials are equally con? fident. The government is anxious to expedite the trial of Machen as much as possible, consistently with the proper handling of the case, lt is ar? ranging to have its witnesses at Machen's preliminary hearing June 5. The preliminary hearing of the Groff brothers, the profits of whose firm Machen is accusa of sharing on a 40 per cent, basis, has been set for June 9 Postal officials refuse to give any in? formation respecting the go-between who, " it is alleged, figured in the transactions that caused Machen's arrest. It is said there is a possibil? ity, if not a probability, that he will be used as a witness for the govern? ment. The postmaster general to? night said: "That there is a'third party in this matter I have no doubt, but I cannot say anything further." He was asked whether the delay in making an arrrest was due to failure to locate the man. The postmaster general replied in the negative and added that sometimes there were other reasons. He significantly sug? gested that sometimes it was found best not to be too precipitate in taking action and there was an intimation that the department, might desire the go-between to turn state's evidence. Mr. Payne was asked as to the nature of tlie charges on file against George W. Beavers. He replied that they might be summed up as the payment of extravagant prices for materials and supplies used in his division, includ? ing time clocks and stamping ma? chines. He said that there was only one charge that Mr. Beavers had re? ceived a commission on these supplies. This charge, he said, is under in? vestigation. ? much more rigid overhauling of the affairs of Mr. Beavers' former office will begin shortly. The investigation of the affairs of the free delivery division, it is stated, has not been interrupted by the arrest of Machen. The inspectors who brought about that result are continu? ing their inquiry and will probe into other charges against Mr. Machen. Some of the charges are of a similar nature to those on which yesterday's arrest was based. The overhauling of the free deilvery branch will be tho? rough and Postmaster General Payne today declared with emphasis that the investigation will not end until all ir? regularities have been thoroughly in? quired into and eradicated. Assistant Attorney General Robb of the postoffice department had a long conference today with United States District Attorney Beach regarding the procedure in the Machen case. It is the wish of the postmaster general that the trial of the case be expedited as mueh as possible. The evidence in the case has already been reviewed by Attorney General Kuox. The federal grand jury is in session and it is expected that the case of Mr. Macben will be presented immediately to that body. The suit and attach? ment proceedings to recover the amounts alleged by the postoffice de? partment to have been obtained from the postoffice box fastener contracts will be instituted at once. The proceed? ings will be similar to those instituted in the Green-Gaynor case. Charles' A. Douglass of counsl for Mr. Machen today gave out the fol? lowing statement: "Mr. Machen has been a long time in the public ser? vice, and he is widely and favorably known throughout the United States, and it is due him that the public should not prejudge his case, but should patiently await developments which are sure to come. Mr. Machen is ready to meet, in the clearest and most satisfactory way, the charges now specifically made against him, and he now generally and publicly invites most rigid investigation into every act and transaction connected with his official life. More than this should not now be said." A Serious Mistake. E. C. De Witt & Co. is the name of the firm who make the genuine Witch Hazel Salve. DeSVitt's is th*? Witch Hazel Salve that heals without leaving a scar. It is a serious mis ake to use any other. DeWitt's Witch Hazel Salve cures blind, bleeding, itching and protruding piles, burn?, bruise.-, eczema and all .-kin disease?. Sold by J. S. Hu-jhson & Co. EARTHQUAKE IN ASIA MINOR. i Melazgherd, a Town of Five Hun I dred Houses, on the Euphrates, is Destroyed and Many Lives Lost. London, May 28.-The foreign office here today received some details from the British consul atErzeroum regard? ing the recent earthquake at Melaz? gherd, according to which a strong earthquake shock, lasting thirty seconds, was felt on the morning of April 29, throughout the entire dis? trict between Lake Van and the Rus? sian frontier and as far west as Khar put. The town of Melazgherd, con? sisting of five hundred houses, was de? stroyed and much havoc was wrought in the surrounding villages. Col. Khali t Bey, commanding the garrison of Melazgherd, with his whole family, three other officers and eighty soldiers, perished in the ruins. Lieut. CoL Tayib Bey, whose family perished, became insane. The telegraph operator who sent the news of the catastrophe said he him? self was badly injured, and that his wife and sister bad been killed. The foreign office has appealed for subscriptions for the relief cf the destitute Mohammedans and Chris? tians of the Melazgherd district. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. Washington* D. C., May 28.-Vice Consul Ojalvo, at Erzeroum, Turkey, reports to the State department that an earthquake in the canton of Malaz gherd, district of Bitlis, on the 29th ult, caused the death of 500 people and left the city in ruins. The shock was strongly felt in Erzeroum, a journey of thirty-eight hours, and threw the people into a panic. Many of them turned their stables, which are built level with the ground, into sleeping apartments, for greater security. SUMMING UP THE DAMAGE. Constantinople, May 28.-Advices which reached here today from Asiatic Turkey show that a terrible earthquake occurred April 29 at Melazgherd, in the vilayet of Van, eighty miles south west of Erzeroum, on the Euphrates. The town was totally destroyed, with its entire population, numbering 2,000 souls, including 700 Armenians, as well as the troops forming the garrison of Melazgherd. In addition over 400 houses in neighboring villages collapsed. A somewhat severe earthquake shock was felt here this morning, but no damage was done. Estimate of Cotton Acreage of the United States, May 27,1903. New York, May 27.-With the view of obtaining the most reliable inform? ation possible concerning the cotton acreage of the United States for 1903, we addressed 4,000 letters to banks, bankers, cotton commission merchants and responsible planters, embracing every cotton growing county in the South, asking acreage estimates. Up to this date we have secured 3030 replies, of average date May 22 and the following tabulation is the result. In our opinion it is as approximately correct an estimate of the cotton acre? age as could be secured by direct com? munication with parties competent to judge, residing in the Southern States. State. Aerease Acreage Season. 1902. 1903. Alabama, 3,501,737 3,589,230 14 d'ys l'ter. Ark. and Mo., 1.961.627 2,020,476 16 " Florida, 253,286 257.085 14 " Georgia, 3.862.439 3,958,999 12 " Louisiana. 1,617,678 1,658.120 18 " Mississippi, 3,181,408 3^45.030 16 " N. C. and Va.. 1,113,315 1.157,848 13 " Sou th Car.. 2,205,909 2,294.145 13 " Tennessee. 754.811 792.552 14 *' Tex.&Va'ous. 8.661,893 8.878.440 17 " Totals, 27.114,103 27,851,981 14.7 avge. I The total estimated increase of cot? ton acreage in the United States for 1903 is 2,72 per cent or 737,878 acres more than last year, and the average planting of the crop is about 15 days later than normal. Our corespondents report the crop late in ali sections, and complaints of low temperature and imperfect stands, rendering some replanting necessary, have been quite general, but that it has improved within the past two weeks, on account of beneficial rains and warmer weather; still, in no part of the cotton belt is the crop in as promising condition as at this time last year. Yours truly, Latham, Alexander & Co. If you need flower baskets for com? mencement call at .H. G. Osteen & Co's, book store. On May 6th the Crown Prince of Prussia and future German Emperor became of age. The second son of the German Emperor, Price Eitel Fred? erick, will celebrate his twenty-first birthday on July 7, 1904, and the third son, Prince Adelbert, on July 14, 1905. The fourth son. Prince Auguste Wil? liam, will be sixteen years old next January. Oscar is a year younger, while the sixth son will be thirteen next December. The Kaiser's only daughter is the youngest child, being elevenjyears old. stimulate the TORPID LIVER, strengthen thc digestive organs, regulate thc bowels, and are un? equaled as an ANTI-BILIOUS MEDICINE, In malarial districts their virtues are widely recognized, as they possess peculiar properties in freeing, the system from that poison. Elegantly sugarcoated. eke Mo Substitute.---. gm CHICHESTER'S ENGLISH PENNYROYAL PILLS ? #~<S*!\, Original und Onlr Genuino. ?5-r,/l*>.V\8AFE. Alway, reliable. Ladle*, ask Praest it for CHICHESTER'S ENGLISH jf^%?^'4?Ni?\ in ?i^I) ar. 1 (iold metallic boxci ir?:e l TgV ^^^T?? w|;n hUir ribbon. Take no other. Rcfuac J?S ?sSj Doncfrou? Substitution* and Im 'ta J / * f?j Hon?. HUT nt your Draggi**. or ?end 4e. io 1 ?J Jt ?t?rap. for l'art lou lura. Testimonial? \V ff ?nd ..Keilor for Ladle?," tn Uf.tr. br re ?*\. ff turn Vull. 1 O.ddO I?'.ttmoiiia!.. Sold by " 7~~"' ?ll liruBs-i.t.. < hl< he?t-r f hemlonl Co., Mtntjon thii i nj er. MadUon S.-i..rr, Till LA.. l'A. The hammocks being sold by H. G. Osteen & Co., haven't a superior in Sumter, at the price. The Kind You Have Always Bought, and-which has been in use for over 30 years, has .horne the signature of and has been made under his per? sonal supervision since its infancy. Allow no one to deceive you in this. All Counterfeits, Imitations and " Just-as-good99 are but Experiments that trifle with and endanger the health of Infants and Children-Experience against Experiment* What is CASTORIA Castoria is a harmless substitute for Castor Oil, Pare? goric, Drops and Soothing Syrups? It is Pleasant? It contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic substance. Its age is its guarantee. It destroys Worms - and allays Feverishness. It cures Diarrhoea and Wind Colic. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation and Flatulency. It assimilates the Food, regulates the Stomach and Bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep? The Children's Panacea-The Mother's Friend? GENUINE CASTORIA ALWAYS Bean the Signature of le Kind You Have Always Bought In Use For Over 30 Years. THC CENTAUR COMPANY, TT MURRAY STREET, NEY/ TORK CITY. Corn, Oats, Hay, Ship Stuff, Hulls and C. Seed Meal. Carolina R? P. Seed Oats at HABBY& CO.'S STABLES. Also full line of standard grade Wag? ons, both one and two horse. Buggies, Harness, Carriages We also have on hand a full line of building material, such as Lime, Cement, Plaster Paris, Hair, Laths, Fire Brick, Terra Cotta Pipe, Stove Flues, &c We wani to give you prices when you need any of above, and we will get your patronage. Yours truly, HARBY&CO. Aug 8 The Fragrant Violet The creeping honeysuckle-all that is beautiful in nature now begins to assert itself-perhaps in detriment to the appearance of one's castle, for does not the harmonious effects of nature tend to magnify the ugliness of those weather stained and faded spots just behind the blinds, or along the stoop and fence? An investment in a gallon or barrel of MOORE'S PURE HOUSE COLORS A pure linseed oil paint, will prove profitable whenever there is any portion of the in? terior or exterior of your dwelling that requires beautifying or preserving. THE BURNS HARDWARE CO., SUMTER, Will be pleased to quote prices and furnish color cards. BENJAMIN MOORE & CO., Manufacturers, Brooklyn, H. T. - - - - Chicagro, 111 Mch '2-e o d-ni a ni j & s