The evening times., 1897-02-05
SOMEBODY WAS too HAsTY
The Case Against Colman Likely
to Be Dropped.
PROSECUTION ALREADY LAX
Chief Inspector Wheeler and All
Other Postnffice Depa rtment Of
Townsend Says That the Alleged
stamps Are Only Proofs.

Mr.. Hamilton F. ColHlan, the general
land office clerk, whose arrest was caused
in New York several days ago, the charge
OF unlawsaliy having government stamps in
has possession, is expected home this
evening. The POstoffice Department has
60 considerable extent. relaxed its in
veeti-ation Of the alleged stamp robbery,
AMI row seems ready to believe that some
New York officer has been just little
too vigilant.
Mr. A. {. Townsend, when seen in his
office in the Washington Lean and Trust
building. insisted that a microscopic exami-
nation Of tine stamps possessed by Coiman
would show them to be merely proofs
with the paper split and gummed Col.
wheeler. Chief orthc PuStoffice Department
inspectors. was less worried today over the
affair. but Still positively refused 10 discuss
the case.
The only thing have 70 say is this"
ne said. as ne placed his fingers on his tightly
closed lips and remained silent.
Fourth Assistant A. ostniaster General Max
well was equally reticent. and referred the
newspaper man 10 COD Wheeler, who said
tie departure Mt had nothing to say at this
time
Mr. Townsend SAYS il the matter really
comes TO a trial lie VIII reveal where the
proofs come from. The case has been set
fer d iseaiing on Wednesday, but the belief
is prevalent that the POstoffice Department
may drop the prosecution before that time.
Attorney Rose, Mr.. Colman's counsel, left
Tins morning for New York.
1t is asserted that as a result OF devel-
opmeutS expected to follow the arrest OF
Gotham. tie postoffice officials are conf
dent that they wiIl bc able to sweep into
the mcsheS OF the law the men responsible
for the robbery of several hundred post
offices each wear for several years past
The inspectors office OF the Postoffice
Department has been kept busy for several
years looking up poStoffice robbeTies.
From these operations large numbers of
stamps have been secured, which the
thieves sell TO collectors il they are rare.
In this way PosUoffiCe Department Of
ficials believe Culnan secured the periodi-
cal stamps II has been suggested that
Colusan may have obtained them from
foreign stamp collectors, who secured them
from countries in the postal union
The postal authorities telegraphed to
New York late yesterday afternoon direct
lease. as tie stamps in ms possession
were v hat are called proof specimens, and
therefore OF no marketable value. A re-
port OF the examination ofColman made by
the postal inspectors in New York, to-
getheT with any other information they
may have cleaned from other sources, is
expected at the department today. The
officials are working every possible clew
TO obtain an idea of the identity of the
men responsible for the robberies, and
they are hopeful that Mr.. Colman can fur
niSh information OF value, although they
accuit him OF any connection with bur
glares which have taken place.
Mr. townsend has received "A dispatch
informing him Of the death Of Mr.. Col
mans father, at Cooperstown, n. Y. He
thinks, therefore. that Mr.. Colman has
probably gone on to CuCTerstown o attend
the last rites over the body
Mr. Townsend states that nothing will
be done on their part until the examina-
tion on Wednesday. He says he thinks the
postal authorities are convinced they have
made a mistake, and in justice to the man
they nave injured should drop the prose
cution: but whether they VIII do SO or
not, he is not Informed.