Here is a statement about the extensive mailing of “green goods” circulars. The story was told by Van Buren before the Lexow committee in 1894.

Benjamin D. Van Buren, a discharged chief clerk of the Jersey City post office, told a startling story.

“I was chief mailing clerk,” said Mr. Van Buren. “My attention was first called to the green goods business about eight years ago. The first thing that I noticed was the hiring of boxes by green goods men. I knew them by sight only. This lasted two or three months. Then my attention was attracted to some stories in the newspapers about the stopping of circulars at the New York post office. Large amounts of mail were stopped there. Then came some men with big bundles of circulars without the “return” stamp on them. I suspected they were green goods circulars stopped at the New York post office. I went to Postmaster Dickerson with my suspicions, and he told me to keep a strict watch and see if I could find an envelope open. I did in a few days, and found one of the regular circulars in it. I gave it to the assistant postmaster, who took it to Inspector James in New York. Then Postmaster Dickerson ordered me to send the matter out. Later on it was discussed with Inspector Egerton of Philadelphia, who has charge of the postal district in which Jersey City is located; and the rule went forth to forward at once, regardless of character. Immense quantities of green goods circulars were then handled from that office. After a time the circulars came in such quantities that they were not put through the windows, but taken around to the back door, the same as other big users of the mails. Postage stamps were sold in big lots by the assistant postmaster to the green goods men. I should say they must have bought $500 or $600 worth a day.”