The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-19
HIS NAIL KEPT FROM HIM
Superintendent Travis Asserts a Right to
Have ChargeOf His Personal Letters.
Assistant Postmaster Dodd Thinks Otherwise,
and, Refusing to Deliver Them, Is Arrested
Variety of Items Taken from the Courts.

John w. DOdd. assistant postmaster, was
arrested. last evening. on a warrant issued
by United States Commissioner Van Buren,.
charging him with OBTAINING the private
mail of Albert Travis, superintendent of
police. The affidavit was sworn to by SUI
perIntendent Travis, who alleges that there
are letters in the postoffice for him, and
that Captain Dodd had ordered them to be
withheld from the affiant. Soon after the
police trouble began, letters began coming
TO the postoffice directed to albert Travis,
Superintendent OF Police" Thomas Col
bert. Superintendent of Police" and to
superintendent of Police" Postmaster
Jones was notified by Captain Colbert not
to deliver any letter to Superintendent
Travis which bore the words des-
ignating the official title both
claimed, and Captain Dodd then
ordered that all mail directed in either of
the above three ways should be held until
the courts decided who is the lawful Su-
perintendent of Police. Superintendent
Travis objected to this because. as he said
all his private letters came addressed al
bert Travis. Superintendent of Police"
Last Saturday he called at the postOffice
and demanded all letters addressed to him,
but was told he could not have them. He
explained to Assistant Postmaster Dodd
that he was perfectly willing letters adj
dressed simply to the superintendent of
Police" should be held pending the settle
ment of the question, and he also said he
thought Captain Colbert should have
letters which bore that gentleman's name,
with the title of superintendent of police,
as they might be of a personal character.
Captain Dodd still refused to deliver the
mail maintaining that under the postOffice
regulations he was requested to keep all
such mail matter. Superintendent Travis
went again for his mail yesterday morning.
and found that there were many letters
addressed to him personally, but Captain
Dodd persisted In his refusal to allow him
to have any of them. The complaint was
then made to the United States Commits
sioner, and the warrant following it was
served by Deputy Marshal Miller. Captain
Dodd appeared Immediately. before
Commissioner Van Buren,. but not
IN very good humor. He said he
did not know what the law was, but he
was acting according to the pOstOtfice regu-
lations, which required that where mail
detained until the controversy was settled.
Commissioner Van Buren, gave it as his
opinion that where mans name appeared
on letter it should be delivered to him,
but Captain DOdd was certain that such
was not the case. The preliminary hearing
will take place at 10 O'clock this morning
In the mean time Capt Dodd was allowed
to 60 on his own recOgnizance. The penal
~ for OBTAINING mail matter is fine of
from SO to $500, but there is no disposition
TO enforce it it this case. The object of the
arrest is simply to determine whether
or not the postmaster has the right, under
the circumstances. to detain Superintend-
ent Travis's private mail
Il have no desire TO get the official letters
of the police department. said the SUPER
intendent last evening. Il think they
should be held until the controversy is
settled, but know 1 have letters on pri-
waite matters in the Office. L seldom re-
ceive private letter that is not addressed,
albert Travis, Superintendent of Police
My correspondents know that letter so
addressed will reach me. The last three
words simply designate where the letter is
to be delivered, as the number of street
would. 1t is possible that l might get
few official letters, but / do not
think my private mail should be
detained simply on that ground.
Men have sent me word that they
have written me private letters
since this police trouble began, and have
not received one of them. / have no doubt
there are personal letters there for Captain
Colbert, and he should have them. He too.
might receive few official letters, but no
harm would come of it."