West-Jersey pioneer., 1866-05-26
Trialand Sentence of Rev. H.W.webber.

Trlal ana sentence OF Kew. II. W.WeDDer.
One of the most senseiess vioiationsof pub
lie trust which it has been our duty as jour-
nalists to publish, occurred latelyat Millville,,
and has been made the subject sofsa legal trial
at Trenton, which trial has resulted in the
condemnation of the defendant.
Rev. Mr.. Webber, formerly pastor of the
Baptist Church at Millville, after being super
seeded in that position was appointed POST
master of that city. Rumors had been promi-
nent that the sacred privacy of his office was
violated, by the opening of letters coming or
going from there, but they did not assume
tangible hue until recently, when letter was
deposited in the office by young lady named
Campbell, addressed to young gentleman of
this city named Mulford. The letter was of.
the class usually passing between young peo-
pie who are attached to each other, and the
young lady happening to look in the direction
of the Postmaster, saw him deliberately open
the letter and read it. A lady friend named
Jaggers who was with her at the time beheld
him also. Indignant at the violation of her
privacy. the young lady Immediately informed
her brother, who in few moments called at
the Post Office and demanded the letter; at
the same time charging the Postmaster with
his guilt. This he Indignantly denied, but re-
turned the letter, which had been resealed, and
was still warm from the process through which
| it had passed. The young lady tore the letter
open, and discovered Immediately that it was
folded in different manner from that in which
she had placed it but . short time before. Her
mother also testified to the manner of the
folding. The successor of Mr.. Webber in the
pastorate of the Baptist church also testified
to the fact that letters sent and received by
himself in reference to his settlement in that
church had been broken open by some one.-
Mr.. Hartman, the Marshall of Millville, also
testified to having seen Mr.. Webber break
open two letters, while he was watching him
| in his capacity of public officer. This was
the substance of the evidence brought against
him. The defence rested their case entirely
upon the improbability of the evidence, but
the jury brought in verdict of guilty, and
the criminal has been sentenced as follows:
| UNITED STATES DISTRICT Counr-Tuesday, May 22d.
Before Judge Field. 54n p.a.s -lsf,,, s,s.
Mr.. Peter L. Voorhees,, counsel for Henry W.
Weber, postmaster at Mville convicted last week
Of opening letter entrusted to his care, stated some
circumstances in relation to the defendant for the
purpose of asking the mercy of the Court. The
defendant had been for twenty-five years minister in
the Baptist Church. He has wife and daughter,
| both of whom are in bad state of health. From
the reports of the church letters to the Baptist Asso
citation in September, 1864 he read letter from Mill
VILE, regrettng that Mr.. Webber was compelled 10
resign his charge, owing to pecuniary reasons and
| alluding to him in complimentary terms. Under
| these circumstances the defendant was constrained
to put himself at the mercy of the Court, trusting
that the fine or punishment seen fit to be inflicted
might be light the of justice would admit
The Court then proceeded to pass sentence on the
defendant, remarkng that for man of his education
offence. The peace, happiness and wellbeing of
society were all deeply concerned in the safe trans
mission of letters sent by mall and unless the public
could place confidence in the officers of the Govern
ment, they would seek other channels for their
communications. Judge Field alluded to the position
the defendant occupied and the restriction of his
means, and sentenced him to pay fine of 5000 with
| COSTS and stand committed until fine and costs
paid The fine was paid by Mr.. Webber during the
| day. .lg
1t is long time since anything like this has
come to light, and in view of the necessity of
| sustaining the public confidence in the post
Office department do not dAA.., the penalty
ff-----~-ofe 1t was propupiy only q fooff.I
curiosity that animated Mr.. W ebber, but Curl
osity cost Eve her Eden, and it now costs Mr..
Weber his post Office, and brings upon him
| the penalty of the law. 1t was well remarked
by the Judge, that although it was not proba-
Bile that Mr.. Webber ever designed to purloin
money, yet the spirit of the criminality was
the same, inasmuch as the confidence of a let
ter was private property as much as money
We are sorry that Mr.. Webber has placed him
self in SO unfortunate position, but the ends
of justice demand the punishment he is to
receive. ita7 .w t,siF,g