Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1881-05-24

horses, wagons, books, towels, etc, are pur-
chased. The Washington correspondent of
the Boston Adpertiser reports that for the
Treasury building alone there have been pur-
chased during the two fiscal years ending
June 80 last, the enormous quantity of nearly
twenty thousand yards Of carpets. It is also
established that the custodian has been in
the habit of purchasing carpets which were
not only not needed but in face of the direct
prohibition of Major Power, the chief clerk.
Another strange circumstance touching this
is, that the bulk of purchases has been made
from few evidently favored local dealers at
ruling retail prices, without advertisement or
inviting bids or proposals or anything look
ing to competition. The custodian evidently
has bought from whom he pleased and paid
what he pleased. Last year eight local retail es-
adjustments received $4,000 for goods
bought by tie custodian. The entire appro-
priation was $132, 200. 1t should be observed
also that the purchases were frequently made
from persons not engaged in a particular
line of articles supplied. The committee are
now engaged in taking account of the GUS
todian's stock. A barrel of bay rum and a
lot of Lubin's choice perfume extracts and
soaps are among the latest discoveries.
The Greek brigands are an interesting lot
of villains if the stories told about them and
their operations are true. 1t is said that
their robbing and numbering are carried on
IN business fashion. Some little capital is
required for the purchase or hire of arms.
1t becomes known that such and such man
is going into business, and has preference
for tried hands. Then robbers belonging to
other bands change masters. Regular pa
pers are drawn up, in which the shares of the
captain, the men, the food purveyors and
the spies are regularly specified. Sometimes
the spies form an integral portion of the
band, and have to be supported for certain
fixed period in the villages or towns, but
generally they are only paid providing loot
is made. There seems to have been one au-
thentic case when band leased route from
another band on percentage. This route
proving exceptionally good, the lessons
wanted it back from the lessees, and a law
suit came near being brought into court.
One positive rule they make is never to allow
captive who is to be ransomed his liberty
unless the money is paid. A terrible story is
told of doctor living in Janina, who was
pounced upon and held for $500. He had
the money, but it was in Constantinople, and
a man was sent for it. Unfortunately. the
messenger was robbed by band of thieves
No. 2, and, though band No. 1 was cognizant
of the fact, still they cut the doctors throat
from ear to ear. Not quite two years ago
fairly well TODD farmer had two of his chill
dren captured-a boy and girl of 10 and -.
One hundred and eighty piasters was the
ransom for each of them. The money was
sent for one child and the boy was returned
But the farmers ready money was exhaust
ed. He begged little delay, but the band
were on the move and could not wait. The
other child-the little girl-was found after
ward with stab in the heart and wild flow
ers in her hand. The villains who do these
things are said to be temperate and pious
and some of them are well read.