Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-07
First Result Of the Post Office lm-
yestigatiOn.

PARTIES ARRESTED FOR CoNSPIRING TO pg-
FRAuD-NUMERoUs ACTIONS 10 BIZ CoNNENckD.
Washington Special 20 N. Y. Herald.
The Postmaster General was to night (last
nighO advised OF the arrest OF Joseph r. Black
man, Carson and Funk, at Philadelphia on the
charge OF consplring to defraud the govern
meDt through straw bonds and bids for carry
lIg the mall In Texas under contracts let by
The Post ONCE department m lS7s. lu appears
inst the bidder on one contract, Mr. Black
man, had given bond for service let al s., ,eee
per annum, and for non n-fulfillment or the con-
tract the nneS amounted TO SIC. 900. The Post
Onlce department had through Mr.. Lyman In
charge or the depreciation division, com nenced
an Investigation for the resovery OF the amount
o. The Zines, which was In progress when MT.
Janss became Postmaster General The agent
ln Pnlladelphia In calling at the number
OF the house given as the residence OF Mr..
blackman, found that IL was the home OF
Joseph ii. Black, who left here to night for
Philadelphia and has probably been arrested
as sccessory, though no Information had been
received up 30 midnight OF that fact MI.
Blackman was found. on investigation. to be
Mr.. Blacks coachman, and the surety on the
pond MI. Carson, clerk In Mr.. Blacks en-
ploy. These facts coming TO the Knowledge
OF the Postmaster General, thorough
investigation was ordered when the re-
ports OF three different agents came TO
light with abundant testimony showing de-
fberate fraud oD the part or the persons ac-
cused. The papers were turned over TO At
Iorney General Mcyeagh and the matter
brought TO successful Issue to-day, It being
tnC III St Cast WOrk DeguQ Dy
the Post Ofice department. It involves ex-
postmaster Hartranft, Deputy Postmaster
Bingham (who was deceived by Mr. Black but
whom the law holds responsibie). prominent
member Of Congress and several of the attor-
neys and contractors OF the star route
service. il will accommodate General
Brady with the iIveliest sort or testi-
mony ofthe manner ia which he conducteJ
bis business IL Will expose the weakness or
Sixth Auditor MeGrew and subordinates and
altogether will illustrate In a United States
court one phase OF lbs cases which the Depart
ment or Justice viii have to do with before the
work OF pur1fic8Uon or the contract service is
completed. There Is now no reason TO doubt
that the Attorney General and Postmaster
General are masters OF the situation. The
evidence which the government is daily accu-
mulatiDg against General Brady and the
whole ring or contractors, bidders bondsmep.
postmasters and Intermediates is both direct,
documentary and circumstantisi. The prose-
cut1oDs Will be conducted fn a dozen states
and In nearly II not all the Territories Be-
sides this evidence for criminal prosecution
the Postmaster General, Is empowered and in
position to recover very large amou 1t or the
money got from the Treasury fn the name OF
expedited and increased mail service. On one
route contractor has already been flned
$3l 600, which will lead also TO criminal pro-
ceedings against number OF government
officers whose connection with the fraud IS
Low clearly established.