Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-20
AIsEX. ASTD@IAs
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 90. 1929.

The PosT OFFICE UEPARTMENT.-Our read
ers will have perceived that, both before and
sinceM MIR. PARRY's elevation to the Office OF
Postmaster General, he has been treated with
marked respect in the columns Of this paper.
Having no private feelings of malice or uncha-
ri,ableness to gra,ify-seeking no other interest
/ than the prosperity Of our country, and willing
to render the NEED Of our praise 10 our
political opponents, if their services should
deserve il, we have abstained from indiscrimi-
nate censure, and even from noticing many OF
the charges which have been brought againsi
the Postmaster General and the department
over which he presides. Of the Postmaster
General, personally, we know nothing. AS
public man, we heard Of him before his arrival
in Washing on jonly in copnexIon with the poll
tics Of Kentucky; as an active political 2arizna,
ga sa prominent member Of the bar, i'm the cour ts
of his own state. But he came into Office with
a reputation for candor and probity-It was
said and believed, by every one, that he would
scorn to become the plant tool Of a party; that
his talents were Of suci. an order, and his views
. 50 elevated aud extended, as 10 preclude the
possibility OF his ever joining in a narrow and
pro'rac,ed policy like that which characterize
tine acts Of the present Administration. Under
these impre ssions, we regarded his appoint
ment as judicious one, and hailed il with a
satisfaction, which was expressed on many oc.
casicns. The official acIs Of the Postmaster
General, although they have lessened the ia
have NOT obliteraled our feelings of respect to-
wards him, and our iervent wish that he may
conduct the affairs of his Office with fidelity
and impartialiiy. We consider ourselves, there.
fore, in the remarks we are about 10 make, as
standing aloof from party, altogether. We de.
sire Mr.. Barry to become popular--we desire
i, for his own sake, and for the good of the
people, and for The sake of restoring confidence
in the Pos, Office Department.
AS to the part which Mr.. Barry has acted in
the Prescription, which is sweeping over the
land, we shall ever regard it as forced. until e
are convinced to the contrary by his own words.
We cannot, for one moment, believe, that he
would voluntarily consent or advise 10 the or
ganiza,ion Of one Of the most important branch.
es Of The Government into political engine,
to be welded for sus aiming the party which is
now in power.
Our readers perceived by yesterday Gazette,
that zoe too have suffered by the measures Of
the Administration. The amour, of damage,
to be sure, is riAing, but the principle involved
is immense The mismanagement Of De-
par,ment has only d. prived US Of IS, but il may
deprive others Of 500. We shall speak Of the
circumstance, then, not from the actual pecu-
mary loss suff, red, but from the magnitude Of
interests involved IN such procedures; premis.
ing al the same time, that such an affair, under
the last Administration, would have rung from
Maine to Georgia. accompanied with the la
menra,ions of the whole tribe OF organized and
" improved 4" editors
What, then, are The simple fac's of the case!
A Postmaster in village resigns his Office
the inhabiIants of The surrounding county, the
only persons interested in the business, and who
have right 10 be heard, recommend one Of
their fellow ciiizens for the vacant ofhce--un-
fortunately tina, gentleman is friendly TO the
last AdmInstration-,he mark Of The beast is
upon his forehesd-and the petition is no! al
tended 10. Mo- knowing, however, upon whom
o confer the appointment, and determined not
TO give it to one so STEPPED in the sin Of not
falling down before the idol which has been set
up for Us 10 worship, the office has been allow
ed to remain vacant, and for ten days no mail
has been opened !! The Inhabitants thus cut
of from regular communication with other
parts ofthe country, and presuming from these
indications that one will be set over them in
whom they can have no confidence, have dis.
continued transacting ;heit business through
their Post Office and curtailed their com.