The New York herald., 1870-04-22
UNITED STATES csmMlssoxEny OFFICE
The Case OF Postm uster Joses-Bogus Letters
Authorized 10 be Detained.

The Case OF P0stm uster JO0cs-Bogus Lettors
Authorized 10 be Detained.
Before Commissioner OSBORN.
me United States rS. Patrick II. JOneS.-The facts
set forth IN this case were as f0ows-W. r. Mar
tine SAID to be lawyer. having an ONCE at No. rs
Nassau street, issued circulars throughout the coun
try stating that he would furnish limitations of
national greenbacks, winch were almost as good
In appearance as the genuine ones, for twenty
Eve cents each. He requested that the utmost
secrecy should be observed by correspondents IN al.
dressing nm. One OF the parties TO whom this CTR
cular was issued forwarded 1t to Mr.. Gaylor, the
special detective agent OF the Post once. Shortly
aiter the receipt OF this communication some 500
answers to the circular came to the POST once
directed to Martlne. Under the Instructions OF the
Postmaster those letters were ordered to the Dead
Letter Department. MARITIME, as alleged, called upon
the Postmaster to ascertain why MS letters were de-
tained. The Postmaster informed him that he had
received such information which led him 70
believe that the letters IN question were
he was, therefore authorized to detain them.
MARITIME denied having issued any such circular.
Wnereupon the Postmaster informed MN that ne
might take what he (MarGlnel considered as his prl-
vate correspondence, In TACT a the letters. pro-
vding all answers to the circulars were returned.
MARITIME declined tnat proposition. and ut once lnstl-
tuted a criminal prosecution against the Postmaster
the illegal detention OF his letters. The case has
has been Thoroughly gone into. Ex.District AItor.
ney s. G. Courtney, with MIR. Phelps conducted the
case on the part OF Postmaster Jones and Mr. L.
james for the compia inant.
Commissioner Osborn IN rendering his decision
yesterday sad:-
The facts this the questions of law
have been huredy considered by great pressure
of official duties, and what views here express are the i'm
The Attorney Genera, on similar questions. Two three
s. % as % Of w A . ss % "ps y
Post Once case volume Attorney Generals oPinSSn P
are to promote nsurrection in a State The opnion OF
% Sa s n be 70 ars
lesser offences OF fraud and msdcmeanor Able and argu
presented not have pertinency 70
AZ IL ns direct
the Attorney Genera declares that the right OF tho Post oce
serpIce from being prossn.ed to purposes Of fraud
been The 81 nsra /, has sr,an ns
carrying intended to cheat and deraut
eissd an clear and convincins proof intent
shoud be made known 0sSrs 81, should dsain
dressed To invest postmaster with power to inquire into
vers the ecrs, order protect the department from be
ing used channel for crime and power
But when outside information reliable ana trus.worhy
o system ns OF ad and crime by he the
and when such system has been Drought TO- the En1wsage
atons pertaining to the same wbch are NOT inconsistent
such inscSns ami If in good faith and
deliver letters which he has to be eye con
tain Fraudulent and immoral natter to be circulated among
the people, of Illicit gain and does not break the
merely his custody calling upon the party
G ssni N rioao ns s"e q law % he nun states
or the State aud showing to said reses ho ae
my opnion, De held crimnay responsible for All
s Of s y y Is to
be undersoo, as acting WIN crmn nstn: & or gGsEiess @
functions his oaice this the postmaster had
conclusive proof that the letters addressed othe com
circulated BY complainant, nfamousy auiacous y
10 ca hselr or to the facts in this
in my opinion, abundany ushed the PoaIuaster in De
faith oil the Postmaster shown when compainant askei
s w N e m @ eens ay CUISINES e M
number addressed him he Won allow h'm to look 'he
evidence shows That Mr. Gay cr, the Special Agent also
promise to return ali .aat wsre crcunr
shown h,m Th,a the compainan reasel to do he deae
the and oath swears he di ana adnited also on
deceivng The public and for the purpose o gain Uader
tue o. nls cssG WIN ae to ea on
and tho deal letter Office al letters connocet
the fraudulent character, and becye
the time complainant demanded rs letters and what has de-
the action OF the Postmaster anu honorbly acqut nn oil an
these proceedings.
Passing Counterfeit NrOney-Technicalitics OF
the LAW.
Before Commissioner Shields
The United states as. Jac05 L. COoke--In this case
an elderly man OF the Jewish persuasion, named
Moses Gompertz, lmporJuned The defendant ner-
chant at NO. 225 Washington street, TO purchase q
painting. The defendant handed him counterfeit
wenty dollar note knowing 1t 10 be such and ut the
time of passing it informing hm OF the TACT. Com
pertZ accepted the note, but returned next day
and demanded genuine O4ey, whicl, however,
was refused. nc defendant was arrested, ana the
evidence having been gwen he was neld 10 await
the or Grand jury tue Commissioner mold
ing tnal al nOugh there may have been 10 crinina
intent, the passIng OF counterfeit note, known. 1t
10 Oe such, was al offence III the eve OF the law.
The fed!or Pays Elis License.
The United States US JACOB SitUeSter.--The defend
ant, who had been arrested for non-payment OF
special tax has been released after nights imprIs-
onnient on payment OF the TAX.
SMDSgiins Oil.
The United States IS. HaU d RUciel--The de-
iendauts, druggists. carrying business Green
wich street, were arrested charge OF smuggling
bay Oh. The case was ADJOURNED TIL tuesday next.