New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-20
THE FRANKING sWINDLE.
A correspondent of The Toledo Blade, writing
from Washington gives an interesting account OF tie
various ways IN which tho franking fraud is practlced:

A correspondent of The Toledo Blade, writing
from Washington, gives an interesting account OF the
various ways which tho frankng fraud is practced
In the first place Congressman very seldom refuse to
pose To Congressman frank an ordinary package OF
envelopes for some employ6 OF Congress or lobby mem
Der Is matter OF hourly occurrence during tie sessions
Again. committee clerks who usually act as the private
secretaries OF their chsirmen almost uniformly au-
thorzed to initiate and their frank and Congress
themselves thus needless and reckessin the
Of their frank what shall expect of those who
trusted with Its prerogaves, and who have neither re-
sponsibity nor reputation at stake. An instance oc-
cured in 1885, which will serve illustrate what Is fire.
quenty occurring without attracting any considerable
clerk in the Interior Department. who had formerly
resided IN Ohio determining 20 establish collection
agency here desired to distribute his business circulars
throughout tho country. Unwilling the expense
OF such transaction he presented TO a Congressman
from his own state box containing 800 envelopes, with
the modest request that he would frank them Tho hon
orabe gentleman very cheerfully complied with this
rcduca and received In return the that he
would be favoraby mentioned IN the next days
uicatiOn OF this penny-ainer.
From that time have never read In Washington let
ter complimentary notice OF Congressman, whose
acs no. OF marked importance and value without
revolving IN my mind how many hundred envelopes ne
had 20 frank 60 procure It.
Most COnGrcssmen have score or more on lady friends.
FOR appearance In tho galleries they watch with
ceascless vigilance; whom they greet with courteous
aud bland smiles. and 20 whose cards they always
tespond SIth pronptness and i person. These ladies'
are about the Capitol and ut the private rooms OF
members: They have hosts OF correspondens every
section OF the country, aud are heref Without ranked en-
rIopes
Congressman WISHING the departments on Du8l-
often leave score or more franks for the use OF the
clerk who promptly attends 20 their wants Thus the
thousands OF dcpartment eerks neio Ie aios my
supplied with Congressional hanks beneath whch they
conduct their private correspondence. But the most
fruitful source Of the abuse OF ths privilege Is the system
Of fac smile frankng. Congressmen, Tor lew dollars,
procure fac smiie stamp, with which ranking can be
trusted the custody OF clerks or messengers who are
thus supplied with the means OF perpetrators enormous
persons how ranked envelopes be procured
In such large quantities. It Is effected IN several ways
faa mill IL ND
Without the permission OF the owner Sometimes
lopes furnished aud membersor thor eerks-most
frequently the latter-aro subsidized 10 stamp them
when these presented In large quantities. fraction
the cost OF postage Is eXtfayagant compensation Tor
the labor Of using the stamp
Asaiu members who are moro cautious In the use OF
their franks stamp large quantities OF sPssene ana
clerk II requires but little time for not over scrupu
abors will attended with good result that very few,
II any. Of these prosy speeches VIII eyer DO read anu
lac proceeds carefully open the envelopes (Which Is
easily dOue aud remove the speeCheshese he sells Tor
old paper those can be readily disposed OF Tor from $50 TO
Tic,o are some OF the methods by which business firms
and lotteries are supplied with ranked envelopes
Again though the law is explicit IN its demands that
person hJN receive mail matter free OF postage, for
another pei ou both Senators aud Representatives., daily
receive Under their letters books. aud
articles oIoonD for other persons too not con
ucctcd with them by any consanguneous OF other gd'
In the early part OF my experience at the Capital was
requested by disng nshed Representative 10 receive
and attend 10 his mail matter during his absence OF few
weeks Dur1ng his absence there received package
OF unusual size which, suppOng TO DO documents for dis
trlbuOn. promptly opened lourreaders could scarcely
guess what found Not package OF newspapers, with
n natterug editorial marked not yoluminOus petition
10 Congress praying for tho redress Of some enormous
grievance; or but an elegant ladys coat beautifully
and richly embroidered ana heavily decked with beads
and buttons Unfolding this strange piece Of mail mat
ter found an open letter containing tho request 70 de-
liver the coat to - and Oblige her mother with Sc
rlous misgvngs and ddence, proceeded to the resi-
dcnco OF tho lady mentioned aud presented her with the
olprant garment with account ~ It's reception Alter
many thanks for my services, which could not under
TIC circumstances very fully appreciate was informed
that the honorable member had rendered the Use OF his
name for tho conveyance Of such articles aud that
he VAS ~ rrJu Kind indeed"