National Opinion

A Postmaster Sued By Swindlers.

Before Judge Benedict, in the United States Eastern District Court, Ferdinand Kohl and Charles H. Gardner, brought suit against James Semler, Postmaster at Brooklyn, N. Y., to recover $5,000 damages for letters retained addressed to them. The testimony showed that the plaintiffs were in the habit of flooding the country with circulars, setting forth that they could supply dry goods at much less than the regular market prices. The firm went under the name of Kohl & Co., Chapman & Co., and Hamilton & Co., and it was shown that, after receiving remittances, they neglected in many cases to forward the goods. The Postmaster received letters from persons in different parts of the country inquiring whether there was such a firm as Kohl & Co., in Williamsburg, and at last becoming convinced that they were swindlers he laid the matter before the Department at Washington, and was instructed to retain all letters for the firm, which he did. Plaintiffs then commenced this suit for damages, which resulted in a decision in favor of the Postmaster. - N. Y. Paper.