the run in charge of Mr.
Jones, of the same line, telling him he did not know when he would
return, and for Jones to keep up the run. He has no leave of absence,
either verbally or otherwise. What his motives are for conducting
himself in this manner I can not imagine. I have written him on the
subject, but can not hear from him. When in Springfield the 3d instant,
I requested the postmaster there to not pay Carpenter for October until
he received notice to do so. I then notified you of the facts in the
matter. I would respectfully recommend that Carpenter be relieved from
further duty and a successor be appointed. He is of no account at the
best; he has no interest in the work, and should be removed. I would
also recommend that he be paid for but the two days' run in the month
of October.

Four days after the date of this letter Mr. Carpenter was notified that
an order had been issued discontinuing his pay and services.

These facts stated present the case of an employee of the Government
abandoning his duties without leave or notice, in direct violation of
rules, and claiming compensation for work done in his absence by another
employee whose entire services were due the Government.

To allow a claim so lacking in merit would endanger discipline and
invite irregularity and loose methods in a very important branch of the
public service.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 27, 1888_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I return without approval House bill No. 2524, entitled "An act for the
relief of Clement A. Lounsberry."

This bill appropriates the sum of $1,214.51 to reimburse him for clerk
hire and fuel and lights in excess of allowances made to him by the
Post-Office Department while he was postmaster at Bismarck, in the
Territory of Dakota.

Seven hundred and fifty dollars of this sum is appropriated on account
of clerk hire paid out from April 1, 1881, to June 30, 1882, and $464.51
for lights and fuel from July 1, 1883, to September 30, 1885.

As a general rule the allowances made by the Post-Office Department
in these cases ought not to be interfered with. But sometimes a sudden
rush of settlement in a locality, or some other cause, will so increase
unexpectedly the need of clerks to distribute and handle the mails that
the employment of more than have been provided for is absolutely
necessary.

I am inclined to think the item for clerk hire in this bill s