The Portland daily press., 1872-02-08

ence and ratified it on behalf of the two ma
lions concerned. And certain it is that if the
British nation had, when first the Treaty was
made public, been informed that under its pro-
Visions the monstrous demand in question was
to be submitted to arbitration, it would have
repudiated it with indignation and scorn.
1t would be interesting to know why this ex-
aggerated claim has been included in the Unit
ed States plea. Can it be, that deceiving the
British Commissioners and government, Grant
has all through been resolved to have this de-
name pressed when the hour of settlement
should come? Or is it that, having noted that
the British people, much desiring good I'M
derstanding with the United States people, had
acquiesced SO readily in the acts of their gov
eminent expressing regret for the escape of the
Alabama" and in consenting to have its for
mer conduct judged under the operation of e1-
post fdcto rules, Grant came to the conclusion
that they might also be induced for friendships
sake to hand over to the United States an in
demnity of half a thousand millions sterling?
Perhaps after all the Grant ease" is in the
main a campaign document, designed to bet
ter his chances for reelection to the Presiden-
cy.
1t is said by some superficial thinkers that
extravagant and monstrous as is the demand
named, having been made, it ought to be pass
ed upon by the Geneva Tribunal. But if it is
the fixed purpose of the British government
not to satisfy such demand either in whole or
in part, how can the British government hon.
orably consent to have such demand submit
ted to arbitration?
1t is infinitely to be regretted that this diff
Guilty has arisen. We cannot pretend to fore
see how it will end. At present the people of
the United States must be as greatly surprised
as those of Great Britain at the character of
the demand demurred to.
Our Dominion neighbors may assure them
selves of one thing and that is, that nineteen
twentieths of the country of all parties will
sustain the President in standing by the Amer
lean case as now put, agreeing to abide by the
result. The American people were never more
united on single question.
The BOSTON Posi- OFFICE EMBEzRLEMENT.
The Boston Journal says that Marshal s. P.
Laws, who was arrested by Special Agent Field
of the Post Office Department for the embez-
element of money from letters in the Boston
office, was taken before Commissioner Hallett
at the United States Court Tuesday afternoon
and held in the sum of $780, 900 for examination
ON the 18th inst The embezzlement covers a
considerable period of time, and although no
accurate estimate can be made of the money
received by Laws. yet it is doubtless somewhere
between $50, 900 and $25, 1000 Postmaster Burt
in the forenoon succeeded in obtaining from
five savings banks in that city the sum of $685.
600, which Laws had on deposit, and which,
with the other property, is more than ample to
recompense all losers by his populations. 1t is
not supposed that any very large sums were
taken at one time, but that constant series of
small embellishments has swelled up the large
amount which has been stolen. On being ques-
toned in relation to the affair, Laws confessed
his guilt and said that time and time again he
had made up his mind to leave off stealing but
soon after he would be tempted by the sight of
a lot of letters and would yield to his spirit of
pilfering. Laws is represented as being very
steady young man, having no bad habits, which
his disposition for saving money would at least
indicate. The entire credit for his arrest is due
to Special Agent Field, who used every effort
to apprehend him after becoming aware that
letters were being stolen, and although Laws
for time baffied those lying in wait for him,
he was at last caught in trap prepared for
him. 1t appears that there have been COM
plants for several months of losses of money!
and as long ago as the oath of last August a
watch was put upon men in the Office and decoy
letters were used, but without avail. The special
agent OF late had his attention directed towards
Laws because he seemed to be spending more
money than a salary Of $1,000 year would al
low A decoy letter containing So was placed
within his reach at the mailing desk and did not
reachits destination, which was box in the Office.
This fastened suspicion on Laws, and he was
Immediately arrested and taken into private
room, when the decoy letter was demanded.
He denied having it, and truly, for it was event.
ually found at its destination. A search of his
person showed bundle of thirty-two letters,
however which he confessed to have taken. and
which was a bundle made up in the Postal Car
on the New York Central road for Montreal
and other places east. Another search of Law $
eoysrcoat revealed anothe package of seventeen
more letters He confessed that he had been
in the habit of abstracting letters in that way,
taking them to his home on Walnut avenue,
and after supper going down cellar, where there
was furnace and going through them. AS
usual, however, there appears to be woman
mixed up in the affair, who is also employed in
in the post Office Laws is respectfully connect
ed, and his brother and other relations are deep
ly distressed at the position in which he has
placed himself. t4sG