The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1902-09-05

Jean Sabate, the young Frenchman
who has been in trouble several times
before with the authorities, was arrest
ed yesterday at noon for a violation of
the postal statutes, and stands a good
chance, If the charges are proven, of
spending long term in oahu Prison.
Sabate was arrested by Marshal
Hendry with a quantity of mail mat
ter, the property of others than him
self in his possession. He was taken
for trial before Commissioner Gill yes
terday afternoon but upon his demand
for counsel the hearing was continued
until nine o'clock this morning. Near
ly all the letters, numbering fifty-seven
found upon Sabate, were dated Decem-
Der 2, and We're chiefly local. There
are, however, instances of other thefts
Of letters covering at least two months.
some of which probably came from the
States.
This is not the first conflict Sabate
has hau with the postal authorities.
He was arrested December Goth, of last
year on the charge of failing to mail
a package which had been given him
for that purpose, he at the time serving
in the capacity of letter carrier. The
grand jury failed to indict, upon the
advice of United States Attorney
Breckons, who discovered technical
legal objections to a successful prose-
cution. The package, containing tapa
cloth, had been given to Sabate to mail
by a friend, and 1t was afterwards
discovered in Sabate's desk at the post
office. There was "A fatal defect in the
proof of the crime, for no stamps had
been placed upon the package, though
twenty-five cents had been given to the
carrier to pay the postage. Though
the evidence showed the larceny of the
money, the package, unstamped could
not be construed as mailable matter
within the statute, and the grand jury
consequently failed to indict.
Because of Sabate's connection with
the first ch;rcc he was discharged from
the service . December End. 1t was
on that Gay ,.a, ,Ae 4e.t-rs found yes
terday had been given to the carrier
to deliver, as was indicated b. the
date. The greater number Of tn
letters contained bills sent out the fret
of the month by downtown business
firms. Many of them came from the
Hawaiian Electric CO., while others are
from Levers & Cooke. There were
several letters for ID. II. Case, others
for Curtis j. Lyons, etc. AS far as
hnDWn HDllt Oh lHc1l contained any
thing, of value and not all of these had
been opened, though the queries for
missing letters addressed to the postal
authorities were traced to this date.
Empty envelopes found with the let
tiers with inquiries which had been re-
ceived by the Postmaster indicate that
some at least contained drafts, and
checks. AS far as known, however,
a them hv TO
as in the cases where local firms were
affected new drafts had been made out
and paid. Until all the parties having
sent the letters in Sabates possession
have been notified, there Is no way of
learning the extent of the robbery.
The letters found also included some
that he had collected but failed to de-
liver at the postoffice. Among Sabate's
belongings were found articles of wear
ing apparel which could not have been
used by him. These consisted of trous-
ers and shoes and linen OF many differ
ent sizes. Upon his arrest Sabate told
the United States officials that he knew
nothing OF any stolen letters. When
the bundle was found in the basket he
said he did not know how II came
there.
At two o'clock Sabate was taken
before United States Commissioner Gill
and then the following complaint was
read to him:
Comes now Louis Kenake. OF said
district, and upon his oath complains
and says that Jean Sabate, late OF the
district aforesaid. heretobefore. tOwit.
on or about the first day OF December,
A, ID. 1901, In said District OF Hawaii.
the said Jean sabate being then and
there a person employed In q depart
ment of the postal service Of the said
United States. TO wit. a. q letter car
rier. Of and Tor the postofice Of the