Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-03

aon, 81 the correctness Of that discharge, TO have
prevented them from any new attenpis to render
nous letter Introduce cd and read with 90 much formal.
", though Il 10 no part Of the evidence before the
Committee, but has been entirely ruled out. II the
Examination Of the author Of u, ON other points In the
letter, turns out like his examination about Fowlers
case, nobody but the writer will have much 10 fear
from s contents. Mere letters IL Is true, have their
value but coming from an avowed opponent, and al
ter proposition for confidential compromise not,
10 presumed, In this experienced body, 10 be dsemed
evidence against even tho humblest citizen ia the
smallest accusation. But what are the o'her charges
contained 10 the letter, as has been read aud relied
on That Mr.. Barry probably incompetent TO
write official circular, and hence resorsd to
clerk. This too is advanced against gentleman Of ac-
kDowedged uaural talents, OF finished education and
Of distinguished professional attanmens. The very
alone stamps upon tho charge reprobaon and
extreme folly. What next! That the printing Of
advertisements In this city. from his department. had
been usedles,ly expensive when I now hold in my
hand official call, and official II, on this
very point the last session. by which II app that
the printing for A. ID. 1929, OF the above charac err
was from to 900 less expensive, than had been
In either Of the two preceding years Exusvsgance
In repaiis and iurnure-when. in the document
AL Can read full aud satisfactory explanation on thai
point. That he has paid money 10 advance to poti-
cal Parlzan-when, from the Same document, il sp-
pears the draft Tor the money drawn and accept
ca under hi. predecessor. and was not pah when II
fell due by Dir. Barry, until taken in discharge oil
new servces. That Encouragement existed In max
ing contract to carry tho Malt to New Orleans
when the same document clearly explains the groun
less character OF this mpuation, and when experience
under that contract, has shown a regularity and i'm
provement on that great commercial route, which Is
invaluable to the community. and which will soon aug.
ment the revenue 10 that quarter, than enough
70 meet all the increased expense. Next a new ar
raogemen Of duties the clerks and unnecessary ex
Penses 10 extra clerk hire-whep tho very page Of
his printed document, all read and see, that the
new division OF duties introduced, promises like that
o. Aeor in manufactures, to make the discharge OF
them more perfect, and to cause greater amount 10
be performed by the who'll.
In relation to the expenses Of clerk hire which has
figured on other occasions we'll as in this letter.
will give tho Senate full aud satisfactory explanation
10 few moments But from these examin ations and
answers Of the accusations, in this celebrated letter.
not the Questionable character OF the whole manifest
Aud rs not demonstrabe that the letter itself has
been 10 other hands before this winter and all its
tents thsD deemed worthy OF notice, made the oun-
daon OF Calls on the department And have not those
calls all been promptly met year ago' Anv gentle
man who has the curiosity TO compare the whole to-
gether, will find the document in No. 1876, the 2Ist
Congress, 1st session.
But one step farther. Not satisfied with causing the
whole letter to be read In the Senate, after the
returned last winter every point then deemed ma
terial, the Chairman himself enters the field of de-
nuncation against the Postmaster General On his own
personal knowledge accuses hm-not, 10 be sure, of
oil the high misdemeanor of wasting the public funds
making groundless and corrupt removals. but of an
objectionable incIvility, of henous neglect
knowledge the receipt of his communications forthwith.
Next he is commended for delaying without cause
reply to the resolution of the gentleman from Ohio
and reply to the first nine interrogatores Of the
Chairman In no very measured language, he is ar.
ragned, also, as fearing investigation, thwart
ing legitimate inquiry, and is told that he "dare not
do this and he dare not do that from dread of conse
quences. II is added that the complaints made by the
Chairman on last Saturday forced or compelled the
Postmaster General TO send in his to the first
call This is modesty said, although Would chart
tably think, the probability is, the answer, amounting
to or 5000 pages, had been preparing for than
six months, and having for week two been under
stood to be nearly Completed was sent in whenever
finished, and because II was finished. Possibly too,
when in few days the answer comes to the nine inter-
rogaories which has also been preparing about two
months, and after the call "immedatey commence
ed, as the letter to the Chairman shows, we shall a
gain be told that that answer likewise has been forced
IN by the Nominations cast again upon the Postmaster
General to-day, for his delays and evasions. Pardon
me, sir, IL remind the member from Delaware that
these extraordinary attacks made upon honorable
man, during his absence, and ia place where he
not be present II meet them in person, and vindicae
his conduct. Pardon me, sir, if remind him that this
high officer Of the government is no less pure in char
acter elevated in feeling than the ofes of his ac
cusers that far from timidly stunning inquiry in
proper casesso far from being dragooned by threats to
acts of shutting and intimidation, he invites all due
investigation; he discharges his trusts from principle
and not fear; and will be found, at all times and by all
persons, to sare do all that doth become man." Does
the gentleman after reflection, seriously believe that
the Postmaster General If present. would have been
quite much amused offended with the supposed
effect Of certain in expediting his movements?
Would the Postmaster General not have smiled at that
Hercules
vein" And might he not possibly have been tempted
to repeat, in reply the anecdoe of the mechanic who
was employed to manufacture thunder for storm in
play, to be performed on certain stage? The storm
being over and the thunder having been good enough
OF its kind IL happened in all the subsequent parts of
the play when any fine sentiment fine act produced
applause, the manufacturer OF thunder could not avoid
excaiming to those near him, "See the effect of my
thunderl''
But how stand the naked facts about the seasonable
Of the answers, and about the accusation concern
ing unnecessary expenses for clerk hirei Not only has
the current business of the Office been performed dur
ing the last nine months; but the has been made
TO the call of the member from Ohio filing believe
more than ream of paper; and the far advance
ed to the call oil this committee; the last call tr-
ling In its nature and requiring little Of either labor or
examinations as intimated by the Chairman; but one re-
resolution alone of the nine, requiring every item of
incidental expense TO be stated for each year, the de-
partmen since 1926; another requiring every allow
ance contract to be detailed, during this adminsra
ton, when the allowances probably amount to many
hundreds. But thus much has been accomplished sir
under circumstances when the business of the
department is constantly and largely increasing and
when, in official documents, are informed il has
augmented full third within only four years. by the
increase OF routes trips, and Offices. Did not Mr. Nc
Lane understand this subject well Mr.. Bradley, as
the Chairman, any of us? and yet he, with an in
crease oil clerks from only in A. d. 1900 thir
ty-eght in A. ID. 1928, obliged appeal TO the
Committee of Ways and Means for still further adj
don Of clerks and observed, he business increases
rapidly the operations of the mail are extended and
the public interest requires that the force of the office
should be augmented" Whereupon Congress made |
provision for five additional clerks in MAY, A. d. 1928
Yet, in 1929, not year afterwards. what said Mr.
Mclean again. as TO the pressure of business and tbs
necessity OF still employing extra clerks' Not what the
immaculate letter-witer brings as charge against Mr.
Rarr haoo IL