Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-05-05
THE WAY 1T WAS DONE.
How the Officers Broke Up New York
Letter Offices.
NV ! oRK. Nav 1

Nav YORK, May 4.
Many complaints have been made for the
past few months TO Postmaster Pearson. by
merchants, Of the non-delivery of letters.
The matter was referred to Inspector New
comb. who was led to believe the trouble
aro from the interference of private officers
about the city The matter was placed in
the hands Of Col. Sharp. chief inspector of
the general postoffice, Washington, who has
been engaged for some weeks past in look
ing into the workings of Hussev's, Boyd's
and other private offices. Upon Col. Sbarp's
report t0 the postmaster general. an opinion
was sought from Attorney General Brewster,
who decided that all these private letter Off
ces were gross violations of the law. Here
npon the matter was again placed in the
hands of Col Sharp, and Inspectors Specs Of
PUtshurg, Camp OF Boston and Newcomb of
New York, were detailed to assist him in
breaking the places. 1t was decided that the
two largest concers of the kind in the city,
Boyd's and ilussey's, should be raided first,
and TODAY was fixed for the event. About
the commencement of the business of the
day. Col. Sharp and Mr.. Cramp, with five
deputy marshas in citizens dress. went to
Boyd's, and Inspectors Newcomb and Specs,
with other deputy marshels, went to Hus-
sey's office. The carriers were Just coming
out, and they were seized and their pouches
taken from them. Several carriers in their
fright threw down the bags of papers and let
tiers, and pitched off their officials caps, took
to flight. The inspectors then raided both
offices. A truck was procured and loaded
with five thousand letters and packages found
in one of the offices. A great quantity of
newspapers, circulars and other printed mat
ter found at Hussey's was not DESTROYED. At
Boyds about 10 600 to $4,000 letters were
seized. The material was taken to the post
office. where 1t was assorted by several
clerks. No arrest have vet been made,
though it is probable indictments will be
found against persons carrying on this illegal
business, bv .he grand jury. The penalty
for sending letter by private express is a
fine of $500 and parties carry ing on the ex-
press are liable to "A fine of Sl50 for every
uffeHse These two officers it is said deliv-
cred upwards of forty thousand letters on
their penny postage plan, thereby defrauding
the postoftire of several hundred dollars
daily. 1t is said hundreds of office and mes
senger boys were sent to the postoffce to
mail letters aud given money to pay the reg
ular postage, two cents, go to these offices
where they pay one cent, putting the differ
ence in postage in their pockets. One office
employed forty-five carriers and the other
thirty. Several other offices of like character
in the city for the delivery of circulars. etc,
will receive attention by the post0ffice
authorities.
WASHINGTON. Nav {.
Colonel Parker, chief inspector of the
postotfce department, estimates that the gov
eminent has been losing about $1,000 daily
for some time past by the private letter Of
fees, which were raided in New York city
today.