The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-05-22
THE AMOUNT IS KNOWN
Defalcstion in the Cuban Postal
Funds is About $I25,ooo.
A Bill introduced in Congress for
the ExtraditiOn Of NeeIy-AnOther
Charge Made Against Him By
the Authorities at Havana.

Havana, Nav 19.-Gen. Wood says
the report from Muncie, Ind, that
nearly 100000 worth OF stamps
have been printed there and sent for
distribution 10 Cuban post Offices, can
be regarded as a canard. There is
nothing here TO show that any such
counterfeit stamps have been sent. 1t
is believed now that the whole story
is known and that the amount of the
defalcations viii fall between 100000
and Sl25. 600.
" II. Reeves, deputy auditor of the
island, has made a confession and
gave up $500 which was given TO him
by Nicely TO perform certain services
the day be left. Gen. Wood and the
post Office inspectors refuse 10 dis
close the nature of the confession,
barely admitting that one has been
made, but those who know the situa-
zion best say that the confession of
Reeves was the only link required in
the chain of evidence, although the
principal statements he has made viii
require investigation before they can
be acted upon, as it is generally be-
ieved that his accusation is of such
startling character as 10 render it I'M
wise 10 proceed before being abso-
lutely sure of other evidence to cor
rObOrate il.
Another charge against Nicely is
that he has defrauded the customs
out Of several thousand dollars
worth Of duties by importing nomi-
nally for post use large quantities of
paper which was afterward sold TO
printing house in Havana.
The Cubans are now beginning &c
talk a good deal regarding postal
matters, the main idea apparently be-
ing thar the Americans, having found
50 many of their cOuntrymen impli-
Gated. VIII not proceed TO eXtremities.
The Cuhans do not believe that Nicely
viii be eXtradited. With the confess
siOns Of Reeves and Rich supplement-
cd by those of the stamp clerks and
by the statements OF the Baracoa
postmaster. il is considered that the
evidence against Nicely is complete,
especially in view Of the assertion %
Reeves that the stamps were not de-
strOyed when they were supposed to
be. Packages which were apparently
stamps were destroyed, but ii is now
said that these were so many bundles
of paper bits.
The newspapers now begin TO ask
Tor an investigation of the engineer
ing department. They say that this
department has been more extrava-
gantly conducted than the postal de-
partment
Washington, May 19.-As there
seems TO be no law 10 extradite Nee
~. the alleged embezzler of the Gu
ban postal funds, Chairman Ray, of
the judiciary committee, has intro
dnced in the house an amendment TO
section 5,27O of the statutes, as fol-
lows:
Provided, that whenever any for
eign country or territory or any part
thereof is under the control or tenn
porary gCsernment of the United
States. and the United States. by act
of congress or through its military
power or otherwise. has established
or authorized governmental control
over the same. in whole or in part.
any person who commits an offense
and fees 10 the United States shall be
surrendered TO the authorities of the
United States and returned and sur
rendered 10 the authorities in control
of sueh foreign country or territory
for trial under the laws recognized
and in force in the place where such
crime was committed"
With regard 10 the contention that
the enactment of law TO extradite
Nicely would be retroactive. Judge
Kay said:
As ] understand the law, it is
merely a question of procedure. Con-
gress has the power TO pass a law for
the extraditiOn of persons accused of
crime in Cuba since Spain surren-
dered sovereignty and the United
States assumed the government of the
island Such law would not violate
the theory Of ex-post facto laws. It
would Lot make a crime of anything
not an Offense before the passage OF
the Jaw. II relates simply 10 proceed
ure.~
Mr.. Terry, of Arkansas. the ranking
committee. said the object of the bin
WAS 10 make il retroactive 4 think
IL can be made retroactive" said he.
a Violator of the law has no vested
right as 10 the manner in which he
shall be caught. A law TO extradite
an accused man. in my opinion, would
aOt come under the inhibition against
ex-pO-t facto laws
Havana, Nay 1s.-E. p. Thompson,
the suspended Havana postmaster
who was arrested in connection with
the postal frauds, succeeded in having
his bail reduced from $4,000 10 $1,000.
which was deposited in cash by the
Danish consul, Herr Culmet, wealthy
merchant
Nc Expert Duty on Petroleum..