Anthony Comstock was an American anti-vice activist, United States Postal Inspector, and secretary of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice (NYSSV), who was dedicated to upholding Christian morality. He opposed obscene literature, abortion, contraception, masturbation, gambling, prostitution, and patent medicine. The terms comstockery and comstockism refer to his extensive censorship campaign of materials that he considered obscene, including birth control advertised or sent by mail. He used his positions in the U.S. Postal Service and the NYSSV to make numerous arrests for obscenity and gambling. Besides these pursuits, he was also involved in efforts to suppress fraudulent banking schemes, mail swindles, and medical quackery.
From Anthony Comstock, Fighter (1913) by Charles Gallaudet Trumbull
The May 2023 cover of THE TRUTH SEEKER, World's Oldest Freethought Publication. Founded by D.M. Bennett in 1873, THE TRUTH SEEKER has alerted Americans about the Comstock Act for a century and a half.
1887 letter from Anthony Comstock to Josiah Leeds.
United States Postal Inspection Service
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), or the Postal Inspectors, is the federal law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service. It supports and protects the U.S. Postal Service, its employees, infrastructure, and customers by enforcing the laws that defend the United States' mail system from illegal or dangerous use. Its jurisdiction covers any crimes that may adversely affect or fraudulently use the U.S. Mail, the postal system or postal employees. With roots going back to the late 18th century, the USPIS is the oldest continuously operating federal law enforcement agency.
US Postal Police Ford Police Interceptor Sedan, responding with red and blue lights
Public service announcement poster of USPIS
Postal Inspectors were among law enforcement who worked to apprehend Ted Kaczynski.
Postal Police Patch