New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-10
POSTNA STER OPENED LETTERS.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT AT THE VILKESBARRE
OFFICE BY SECRET SERVICE MEN.

OFFICE BY SECRET SERVICE MEN.
Wilkesbarre. Penn, March 9-Edward f. Bogart.
postmaster Of Wilkesbarre, was arrested to-day,
charged with tampering with the United States
mails About two months ago several complaints
were lodged with the postal authorities at wash
inCtcn that mail was disappearing. or that which
was received bore evidence OF having been opened
BY n steamng process The postal authorities sub
sequcnt'y detailed two Secret Service men on the
case under orders Of Inspector German.
Last night after the mail from Baltimore and
Washington arrived and had been distributed
Bogart entered the office and was seen to take
several letters from the boxes and then go INTO
his private office and carefully draw down cur
tain. few minutes later detective, who was
acting as q clerk turned out electric light In
tho rear end OF the office this being n signal TO
two other Secret Service men. who were stationed
outside The man on the inside carefully admitted
his associates one of whom was Inspector Oorrnah'
The two men went at to Bogarts private
office and without the ceremony Of knocking en-
tered and there found the Postmaster seated at
his desk on which lay three letters addres.I ~
prominent business men Of this city, az OF 'neIn
moments but soon recovered his composure. ne
vas escorted TO his home by the Secret Service
men where n warrant for his arrest was served
later. He was taken before United states Noll
missioner Hahn and gave bail in $1,000 Tor "p-
Mr. Bogart. besides being Editor OF The Even
Number Of lodges and for the last ten or twelve
wears ha been an active member or the baseoIi
Association He is a brother of the late Joseph n.
Rogart who was prominent in Democratic county
and state politics and at the time OF ms deatn1
was postmaster. The news of the arrest cFeateu
a sensation especially I'm political circles ..
II b. Gregory. one Of the postoHice ,,ispsctoI.s
from WASHINGTON who helped 10 make the arr
stated this afternoon that he came mere run
Washington on Monday morning, and had Detn ~
work on the case ever since. FREQUENT conPtsiuSs
had bccn made 70 the postal AUTHORITIES al Wash
ngton as to irregularities in the Nikesbarre ohice,
and Mr. Gregory said thorough lhNe9tlsdIol
had shown that the allegations maze were FHe.
Deputy German is in charge OF the postoNlce Ior
the present. -. h,,
IN his paper. The Evening Leader, to-hlShI aP-
pears the following; -, . u,;o, or5
when there arc three four fellows. ana one or
Two in particular, clamoring for a pohtca! ONCE
| and hungry for the emoluments attached thereto
| there are sure to be schemes worked ana plans
! formed to ontrap the incumbent, cause his removal
| and nunish him otherwise, even II nothing turtner
| tbon the ANNOYANCE and chagrin that accomplish
msnt of their devilish underhand work imposes.
| when the diabolical schemers are fully SHOWN up
| and their nefarious trickery exposed. there Is q
question as to which side will furnish the raciesI
The Inference drawn from this Is that I. Boger ger
Imagined himself the victim Of conspiracy 70 GUST
him From the postmastership, and in order 10 as,
cover the conspirators he opened letters addressed
| to Republican politicians