Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-11-02 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES,

SIR,—In your report of my speech as chairman of the
second meeting of Mr. Carne's friends, held last evening,
you conclude, "The Chairman then alluded to the ques-
tion of education in the Corporation schools, and depre-
cated the efforts of Mr. Gladstone, MT. Stitt, and Mr.
Jeffrey to banish the Bible from these schools." As
this is quite at variance with what I slid say, perhaps
you will allow me to give my own words, which were—
;)i
" That I was sure Mr. Stitt would as little desire to e.
elude the Bible from any schools as any one then e-
sent ; but that, relying entirely on the voluntar rin-
ciple, and thinking. that the public money should not be
devoted to educational purposes, he would, in conjunc-
tion with Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Jeffrey, do away with
the Corporation schools, and that I did not think that
was the wish of either the electors of the ward or the
town."—l am, Sir, &c.,
THOMAS CHILTON.

Pemberton Buildings'
Fenwick-street, Ist Nov., 1859..

THE POST-OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMER.

SlR,—The recent inquisitional proceedings in the
Liverpool Post-office, which attracted t'.e notice; and
incurred the just condemnation of the Times, and other
journals, and brought down upon the head of their
author, the pointed ridicule of Porneh, cannot be con-
sidered at an end. Those who hate tyranny, and sym-
pathise with the victims of oppression, may probably be
lulled into the belief that the matter is now at rest, since
Mr. Rowland Hill's " intelligent officer" has been called
upon for an explanation of hisconduct—his subordinates
in office may be supposed to breathe freely, and once
more consider themselves men. Alas! delusive belief!
Mr. Hill has not yet informed us whether the " expla-
nation" he received was satisfactory, or otherwise, or
whether the proceedings commenced in the name of the
Postmaster-General, but without his lordship's, or Mr.
Hill's knowledge, were stopped. Justice ! what foul
deeds are perpetrated in thy name !
The Postmaster-General is held up by irresponsible
postmasters, as an ogre, to freighten their clerks into
submitting to proceedings, too frequently as unwar-
rantable, as they are humiliating, and woe betide the
unhappy clerk who presumes to call in question the
authonty or good faith of his superior. Insubordination
is a dreadful crime, and from the summary manner in
which such charges are dealt with, on the ex parte state-
ment—not evidence—of the postmaster, the subordinate
has left him the choice of two evils—slavery or star-
vation. Fortunately, in the present instance, more than
one person was put under the ban, and the 'degradation
was so unsufferable, that before surrendering the birth-
right of the humblest Englishman, whose house is his
castle, measures were adopted which drew from Mr. Hill
an apology ; and which, it is hoped, may be the means of
instituting inquiry into a system, which, if permitted to
continue, the genius of a Thackeray or a Dickens would
not be misapplied in bringing to the bar of public
opinion.
The revision that was extended to the provincial post-
offices, under the auspices of Lord Canning, in 1855, has
greatly improved the condition of the employees pecu-
niarily. ; and the acknowledgment of them as civil ser-
vants in the provisions of the last Superannuation Bill
is another act of justice, for which they are truly thank-
ful. There exists, however, a canker, gradually de-
veloping itself, anal sapping the very foundation of the
structure, which it is the boast of this enlightened age
to have reared with unparalleled success.
Previous to the revision, the patronage of the Post-
office was vested in the Postmaster-General, and the
Lords of the Treasury, who, as a general rule, disposed
it in accordance with the wishes of the parliamentary
supporters of the Government of the day. Every one,
thus obtaining an appointment, had some person of in-
fluence on whom he looked as his patron, and to whom
he represented for redress real or imaginary grievances.
This system, whatever its defects otherwise, was a
salutary check upon the conduct of postmasters, and
other superior officers of the department; and kept them
in proper awe. Since the revision the patronage has
been transferred to the postmasters, which, together
with promotion by merit, was believed to be
the one thing needful to bring the discipline
and efficiency of the service to the point of
perfection. Postmasters, like other mortals, are
fallible, :and when invested with absolute power,
are liable to abuse it. Surrounded by family and other
influences, they naturally long for opportunities to
bestow their favours ; and as their zeal and intelligence
seem to be measured by the frequency and severity of
punishments inflicted, vacancies are neither few nor far
between. Once installed in office, the protege's merit
expands and develops itself amazingly ; and promotion,
the reward of merit, pursues him with giant strides,
much to the astonishment of himself and all others,
with the exception of the discerning chief, who dis-
covered the latent genius, which, but for him, might
have been irretrievably lost to the State !
The crying evil is the power postmasters possess
of inflicting punishment, and even procuring dismissal
from the service, without the person accused knowing
what statements are made against him, and having an
opportunity of defending himself—a privilege not denied
to the vilest criminal ; but, the discussion of this is too
important a matter to be hastily passed over, and must
needs be reserved for some future occasion.--Yours, &c.
Liverpool, 28th October, 1859, A. G.