The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-29
CALLAGHAy,S CLAIM.

Ghost from the Dead Letter Omce-He
Wants Fifty Thousand Dollnrs-'sReturned
by Request"
Any one familiar with the national capital during
the sessions Of Congress viii recall with mixed feel
tngs certain 0ddOOking specimens OF humanity
hang round the halls OF the principal hotels and
buttonh0le any one with the slightest appearance
Of vefdancy. They are respectable but seedy, and
have no design on your pocket, simply one on your
patience. These are the gentlemen Of long standing
claims on
THE GRATITUDE AND TREASURY
Of the United States. The persistent Fostering of
consecutive sessions, extending periods Of from
I'VE years to half century, has not succeeded in
bringing their coveted prize. In default OF the de-
sired grant the next best thing they love Ia q
listener. 1t Is painful for the sake Of humanity
observe the earnestness. nay, enthusiasm, with
which they will,
ON THE SMALLEST PR0vocAroN,
unfold the story Of the service they have done their
country thirty years before, or the unredressed
wrong they have endured In the bitterness and
hope hope Of. their Dosoms: They are armed
i've an interest as themselves. When Congress adj
train for their habi1ation There they seek the aid
OF the press with q pertinacity which newspaper
claims are valid and should be settled In some way
the majority are preposter0us particularly IN
SPECIMEN OF THIS CLASS
called at the HERALD ONCE, In the shape OF an elder
~ man. Mathew Callaghan was mis- name and 167
Bleecker street his hd0ttdt lie Is something vague
In the book trade, and has done the States some
service-s0 he claims. In 1858 this gentleman was
struck by
THE ACCUMULATION OF DEAD LETTERS
In the Post ONCE at Washngton-nve or Six millions
o year. In 1859 he claims to have originated the
idea OF putting the address OF the sender on the out
sioe OF letters so that IN case letter failed to be
delivered to the address 1t could be returned 10 the
sender, without passing through
THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE.
law was passed subsequently to that effect, and
Try many millions lilo SO or dollars. lie would De
content with this, and let his country reap
the balance the result Of his patriotic thought.
United states Senate in January, $685. and referred
to the Committee on Post Oices and Post Roads. In
June, 1879, they wrote Mr.. Caiaghan to the effect
that they thought 1t matter Tor the administration
OF the Post Cffice TO consider, and
NOT A NATTER FOR CONGRESS-.
In July, 1870, the Postmaster General replies that
1.-THE department aware OF the that the return
request; system enacted by Congress March g. 1858,
ls or great value to the public, and IN the recent
port OF the Postmaster General 1t was highly COM
So whether ne is entitled to remuneration for It, the
department Is not advised and expresses no
opinion"
Mr.. Calaghan, although his game appears
PREPARED A SECOND PETITION
with which to storm the stony hearts OF Congress.
He parnetically describes how, in pursuit OF ms re-
were soaked himself to the skin and mis- bag to the
manuscripts within.
.'You see, sir, beg for nothing; am poor man
should be paid"
This prayer was heartily echoed, and the old gen.
teman Duttoned up his coat to the neck, pulled his
hat his eyes and went his way with ray VS. Of
from