The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-22
A STAGE VILLAINS JUMP.
Found Himself In Thames River
Muck After His MeIOdramntic Exit.


From the st. Louis Democrat.
Washington, D. C.-There are always a
lot of people in Washington who try to
make living by dunning Uncle Sam. 1t is
fact that the old gentleman in the fuzzy
hat and striped pantaloons, while himself
most exacting creditor, is not overdis-
posed to pay his debts unless compelled.
OF this trait the business Of the unsettled
French spoliation claims affords only one
of many available Illustrations. So it is
not surprising that creditors should be
continually besieging the treasury for pay
ment, a considerable percentage of which,
when it is obtained, invariably goes into
the pockets of shrewd lawyers.
Only the other day a prominent attor-
ney in this city was approached with an
attractive offer by a man who was inter-
ested in procuring the restitution of GER
tain sums due to creditors of the treasury,
who were not aware of their own just
claims. He said that he was able to pro-
cure a complete list of all the postoffice
orders unpaid since the adoption of the
system, with the names of the senders.
These, according to his account, repre-
sented total of about $4,000 and in most
instances they had failed OF payment sim
ply because the payees could not be found.
Most of them had accumulated previously
to 1885, up to which year pOstmasters were
forbidden by law TO notify payee that
cash in their hands awaited demand. They
were required to keep the matter secret.
Extraordinary was it not? At all ev-
ents the inevitable consequence was the
accumulation of other peoples money in
haa GOV aruar -
quoted was changed twelve years ago, but
even now great many money orders fail
OF payment, and the cash they represent
goes into the au-devouring nav of the
treasury. The proposition made TO the
lawyer aforesaid, was to the effect that
the senders of all those orders should be
notified that they could collect the
amounts, minus 50 per cent. allowed to
the attorneys for attending to the mat
ter for them. 1t was expected that three
out of four of them would jump at the
offer, while the fourth person would have
the gumption to communicat e directly
with the postoifice department. OF course,
the department would be obliged to pay
in full on demand.
The proposition, made on basis of
half-shares, was not accepted by the at
torney. There was no doubt that the
senders of the unpaid orders were enti-
tied to the money under the law Many
about money one is always apt to find
an heir or other properly authorized per-
son TO receive the cash. No difficulty on
that score was anticipated. The quarter
of a million, or Whereabouts. was in the
treasury and awaiting claimants all right
enough. They ought TO have the cash;
of that there could be no question But
as to the getting of the list of names
and addresses, there was dubity Ii was
understood that they were kept carefully
secret, under charge of men who enjoyed
the exceptional confidence of the postof-
flee department. Thus it came about that
the lawyer refused the offer.
Nobody knows just how much is due to
the senders or payee of money orders pur-
chased since the system had its Begin
ming in this county. 1t may be about
$4,000, as alleged, or It may be more or
less. The total sum is surely very great
Under the old plan-that is to say, pre-
vious to 18S5-remttances were never de-
livered unless actually called for Now
adays il is quite different the postmas-
ter being required to use every possible
effort to find the payee. Failing in this,
he must communicate TO the postoffice
from which the money was sent. asking
that the sender be looked up. Every con-
ceivable means is exhausted for discover
ing the sender and returning to him the
money. Nevertheless, the total number
OF orders Is so very large that many 20
astray, and the treasury fund derived
from this source is continually growing.
Frequently it happens that the remitter
Of money that lacks a payee cannot be
found. He has mysteriously disappeared
perhaps 1t may be that he is a travel
ing man. and the question TX ETAO
ing man, and TO follow him in his peregrin-
ations Is out OF the question. Many post
Office orders are sent under fictitious
names, the remitters having one reason
Or ~
Some Of them are sending money to a wo-
man and wish to leave no trace OF the
fact Other reasons OF a family nature
give rise 10 the same course Of proce.
dure. IL happens surprisingly often that
legatees under wills refuse to receive small
legacies sent to them In the shape OF
money orders. In such cases the payee
fears that by accepting the cash he may
forfeit legal rights IN the courts OF
course the money simply remains in the
hands Of the government.
Every now and then an insurance com.
pany goes TO pieces. and money orders !
representing premiums remain unpaid
Concerns OF various sorts are constantly
being declared fraudulent by the Postmas. |
ter General. Much OF the cash sent 90 |
them usually comes in the shape OF money !
orders, which are rendered uncashabie by |
the fraud order" issued by the postoaice |
department This means that the swind- |
lers, IN closing up their business, md |
themselves M possession OF n large num- |
Der Of postal orders which are OF no use |
whatever 20 them. Accordingly they de-
stroy them Some Of the amounts ara |
returned 20 the sendcrs but quite a large |
proportion % tho money ~ never restored |
10 the persons 90 whom it belonEs-partly |
because individuals who have been VIC |
umizcd are apt 10 be reluctant to ac.
knowledge the fact
This last remark d. particularly true OF |
the green goods business. where Intending |
purchasers are by no means disposed 10 /
acknowledge their intention 90 buy coun. |
isrfcit bills. As rule. they prefer 10 |
arop che matter ana suffer the loss when.
ever lottery company is raided or De |
mail D. stopped there "a q harvest 90 money /
orders Chat are never claimed. Tho nroai
a. The government from This source BE- hy /
ID mann IL .-L-I a. n ...I a. n. 49, ]