The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1878-04-25
Little Rock Gazette.1

liam Small, Special Agent Of the Post-office
Department, We give the following Informal
ton:
For a long time the Government has
been appraised Of the existence of a strongly
organized combination in this section for
the maintenance and practice of a systema-
tic and unlawful traffic in postage stamps,
and recently Mr. Small has worked UP the
J matter and brought it to the attention Of
the United States District Attorney, result
ing, on Wednesday last, in the indictment
of Mr.. Samuel B. Kirby, agent for the
Weed Sewing Machines in this city, before
the Grand Jury now in session, under pro-
visions Of section $50 of the Revised Sta
tutes, charging him with mailing a scheme
to defraud the United States, and on Thurs
day, the Jury found another Indictment
against Mr.. Kirby, charging him with
bribing Postmasters.
These indictments refer to Mr.. kirby's
transactions with Postmasters OF the 18th
class" by the exchange of sewing machines
for postage stamps, and otherwise. Mr..
Kerby was arrested and has given bond for
his appearance from day to day, and the
investigations are still in progress, which
will implicate a large number Of Postmas-
tiers. subcontractors and Others, but the
Government is determined to ferret to the
bottom what has grown to be second only
to the gigantic whisky frauds in its proper
tions, the encroachments upon the reven-
ues of the department amounting annually
to over a quarter of a million dollars.
1t is claimed that Mr.. Kirby's transac-
tions in the business have been very extern
sive throughout the Southwestern States,
and the authorities assert that his opera
tions with post-office officials have had
wonderfully pernicious effect upon the in
terests of the service.
The statement has been made that Mr..
Kirby was acting under eminent le-
gal advice" which certainly cannot be cor
rect, as no eminent legal counsel would adj
wise any one to pursue an avOcation or a
speculation leading to the defrauding Of
the Government, unless that advice was
given under . misrepresentation of facts,
which view We are inclined to take.
This is considered the most important
postOfice case that has been brought be-
fore the courts for years, embracing larg-
er field and embracing q greater number,
and while We agree that too much credit
cannot be given to Judge c. c. Waters for
the able and energetic manner in which he
has conducted this case, that the actionl of
the Grand Jury has been most commenda-
bic, and that il, upon further investigation,
Mr.. Kirby's guilt is established beyond all
cavil or doubt, he should suffer the penal
ty, we will add, upon the other hand, that
if he proves himself innocent of the vari-
GUS charges now pending against him, We
will readily and cheerfully accord him as
full use of our columns az may be needed
to establish his innocence.
FURHER INDICTMENTS
In addition to the indictments found
against s. B. Kirby, Weed Sewing Machine
agent, on Wednesday and Thursday, for I'M
lawfully trafficking in postage stamps, two
more we're found yesterday for conspiring
to defraud the United States" thus making |
four in all-the first two being, one for mis- |
using the POST Office establishment, and one |
for bribery of Postmasters. The sections |
relating to these ofenses are rs follows:
SECTION $40. II two or more persons con- |
spire either to commit any Offense agqinst
tine United States or to defraud the United
States in any manner or ior any purpose,
effect the object Of the conspiracy, all the par
ties to such conspiracy shall be liable 10 |
punishment OF not less than one tnolsana
lars, and TO imprisonment not more than
two years.
Sec. 5s5l. Every person who promises. Of |
isrs or gives, Or c.%ses or pSSorss ~ 70 otS
contract, undertaking, obligation, or gratui,y /
% for tae o. II Gr 'o
value to any Ofiicer OF the United States, or TO
any person acting for or on behalf Of the Uni |
with intent to influence him TO commit or
aid in committing, or TO coliude In or allow /
any fraud or make opportunity for the COM