The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-21

checking the distribution of scurrilous and
obscene mstter through the mails. The
offenSeS of this nature are of various de-
grees of gravity ranging from mere tech
meal violations of the law to the most
shocking and outrageous assaults on de-
cency and morality. The postal card and
anonymous letter are most frequently utii-
| lied, they afford a secret and appar-
emily safe method for the qualification of
malice and spite The investigation of this
| class of cases often leads TO most start
ling disclosures. Both men and women of
high rank and station in life, and appar-
emily of good breeding and refinement,
have been discovered TO be the senders of
of matter. and the revelations made have,
in some instances, led TO acrimonious dis
sensions. resulting in the division of COM
munties.
The immense profits realized from the
sale of obscene literature has induced
dealers to run great risks, and sample cop
les of such publications are often sent by
mail into schools and seminaries. This
nefarious business was attaining alarming
proportions on the Pacific coast, and the
local officers appeared powerless to check
it. The matter was placed in the hands of
thirteen months preceding June last one
publisher and three of the largest dealers
victed and imprisoned. The moral effect
of these convictions cannot be overesti-
mated.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Concluding his report General Maxwell
makes to the Postmaster-genera the fol-
THAT the statute relating to bail bonds
be amended 50 to make the bond a
lien against the property scheduled there
in, in order to avoid the immediate trans
fer Of such property and other chicanery
often resorted TO by criminals and their
friends in their efforts to defeat the ends
of justice Such a law is now extant in
the State of Iowa
That the statute be amended so as to
require Sureties on the bonds of all post
masters to qualify as to their RESPONSE
bilty.
That greater protection be afforded the
files of postmasters' bonds by providing
fire-proof cases for their safe keeping.
That Section I'll, postal laws and reg
ulations OF 1899, be amended SO as to pro-
vide for the punishment of assistant post
masters or clerks who shall make false
claims of cancellation.
THAT severer penalty be provided for
employees of the service who may be found
guilty of embezzling or destroying news
paper mail
1.-THE more frequent inspection of post
ofhces, particularly presidential offices, and
larger offices. To accomplish this would
require some increase in the force of in
spectors
That articles found loose in the mails
be sent to the Office of the inspector in
charge of the division in which such ar
ticles are found for Identification, with
complaints of losses on file in his office.
Such articles to be held at division head
quarters for one year, and if not identified
within that time to be forwarded to the
Dead Letter Office.
THAT the inquiry divisions of the post
division headquarters be placed under the
direction of the respective inspectors in
charge of such divisions. This, / am salts
fed, would result in saving much time,
labor and expense.
AN amendment to the statute making
the depredations by railway postal clerks
continuous offenSe in order to avoid the
difficult task of proving in which particular
judicial district the offense was commit
ted.
'srhat the standing rewards for the ar
rest of postoffice burglars not only be re-
newed, but that the scope of the offer be
made comprehensive and liberal as pos
sible.
THAT the amount Of the annual appro-
priations for the special purpose of re-
wards for the apprehension and convlc-
ton of offenders against the postal laws
be continued at SIS. 30
THAT more stringent statutes 2e en-
acted covering green goods and obscene
matter, and in this connection the amend
ing of Section 334. Postal Laws and Reg
ing TO green goods and schemes to de-
fraud making these offenses continuous.
is now the law concerning lottery cases
under Section 331, Postal Laws and Regu-
lations of 1893 amended. The purpose
being to avoid obstruction to and m1Scar-
riage of justice incident to trials IN some
large cities where criminals have many
friends and sympathiZers.
THAT uniform signs for all postoffices
of the third and fourth classes, executed
in the national colorS, be furnished - the
department.
Mr. Maxwell commends the work of the
postoffice inspectors. The report shows
classes received during the past year ag-
gregated 103037. and the number of cases
disposed of amounted to lO0,205 only
twenty-four complaints were received of
carelessness in the handling of registered
matter by postal employees
The employees in the postal service nam
died during the last fiscal year 13,S51,6oo
pieces of registered mail. with the loss of
only cent, in every 1t, 20i.