The Portland daily press., 1883-05-05
LETTER AGENCIES.
Official Investigation into Monde
livery of Postal Matter.
Some New York Concerns Seized and
Thousand of Letters Found.

NEW YORK, May 3.--Many complaints have
been made the past few mouthssto Postmaster
Pearson of New York by merchants, OF the
non delivery Of letters. The matter was refer
red TO Inspector Newcombe, who was led TO
believe that the trouble arose from the inter
ference of private offices about the city. The
matter was placed in the hands of Col. Sharp,
chief inspector general OF the post office at
Washington, who has been engaged weeks
past In looking Into the workings Of Hussey's,
Boyd's and other private offices. Upon Col
Sharp's report TO the postmaster general an
opinion was sought from Attorney General
brewster, who decided that all these private
letter Offices were in gross violation OF the law
Hereupon the matter was again placed In the
hands OF Col. Sharp, and Inspectors Speese OF
ilttshurg, Camp OF Boston and Newoomb OF
New York, Were detailed to assist him In
breaking up the places. II was decided that
the two largest concerns of the kind in the
city, Boyd's and Husseys. should be raided
first, and to-day was fixed for the event.
AT about the commencement OF the business
OF the day Col. Sharp and Mr.. Camp with five
deputy mprshals In citizens dress went 10
Boyd's, and inspectors Newcombe and ESpeeso
With other deputy marshals went TO Hussey's
office, The carriers were just coming out, and
they were seized and the pouches taken from
them. Some carriers In their fright threw
down their bags of letters and papers, and
pitching OIL their official caps took to flight
The inspectors then raided both offices. A
truck was procured ana loaded with OtvJ 70
5000 letters and packages found In one OF the
offices
A great quantity OF newspapers, circulars
and other printed material found at Hussey's
private post office, which was raided in New
York to-day was not destroyed. AT Boyd's
about $4,000 letters were seized. The material
was taken to the post office where 1t was as
sorted by several clerks. No arrests have vet
been made, though 1t Is probable that indict-
ments will be found against the persons carry
ing on this illegal business. The penalty for
sending letters by private express is fine OF
500 and the parties carrying by express are
liable TO fine of $3.50 for every offence. These
two offices, il is said, delivered upwards OF
4O,teo letters daily on their penny postage
plan, thereby defrauding the post Office out Of
several hundred dollars daily. 1t is said that
hundreds of office and messenger boys when
sent to the postofiice TO mail letters and given
moneyto pay the regular postage, two cents
would go to these offices where they cnly paid
one penny, putting the difference ia postage
IN their pockets. One office employed 45 car
riers and the other 80. Several other offices of
like character in the city for delivery Of cir
eulars, etc, will receive attention.
WASHINGTON, May 3.-Col. Parker, chief in
spector OF the Postoffice Department, estimates
the government has been losing about S1C00
daily for some time past by the operation of
the private letter offices which were raided in
New York City to-day.