Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-06-19
political.
posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The Report Of the majority and Of the
minority OF the Committee Of the Senate,
on the condition OF this department is be
fore our readers. Its embarrassment and
Encouragement is admitted. The ques
ton is, who is TO blame? Our knowledge
Of the department, enables us to speak
with some confidence. Mr.. Van Buren,
had scarcely seated himself at Washing
ton in 1929, before be made arrangements
10 control the patronage Of the depart
ment. IL was organized with this view;
and TO secure control over the postmas
tiers and contractors, Mr.. Hobbie & Col
Gardner, both from New York and under
his control, were placed, one IN the Office
Of appointments, and the other in the
pay department. To Mr. Brown was al
lotted the management Of the post routes,
&c. The contracts being made by the
Postmaster General and his two deputies,
Messrs. Hlobbie and Gardner. 1t was
| soon ascertained that Mr. Brown was as
jealousy devoted TO the interests Of Col.
x NJ. Johnson as Messrs. IIobbie and
| Gardner were to those of Mr.. Van Buren,,
and the Postmaster General himself be
ing the personal and political friend OF
the Hero Of the Thames" the con-
| tractors, much the most efficient political
corps Of the department, were playing be-
tween the two interests. This rivalry
led TO a competition between the rival
factions, who lid for the influence of mail
contractors, and paid for "extra services"
in the shape Of extra allowances" and
good contracts. This state of things was
soon understood and improved upon by
the contractors. They world first press
Mr. Brown for the benefit of Col. John
son. If they succeeded there, well. If
they failed they urged upon the Kitchen
Cabinet, of which Col. Gardner was an
appendage, the interests of Mr.. Van Blu
rem. II Brown objected that the funds of
the department would not authorize the
"ertra Allowances" Gardner was appealed
TO, and he certified surplus of two hun
dred & fifty thousand dollars-and strange
as it may appear, he continued 10 certify
a surplus after he was compelled TO Dor
row money to meet current expenditures.
The department thus became lnsolvent
In the mean time, it WAS ascertained
that the patronage of the department was
seated in the office of appointments, which
controls the postmasters; and in the office
of mail contracts, which regulates the
contractors; and with view to dispose of
Mr. Browns interference with the polti
cal arrangements of the party, he was
transferred 10 the pay department, and
the appointments and contracts divided
between Mr.. Van Buren's two agents,
Gardner and Hobbe. Mr.. Brown is a
man of business, and he soon ascertained
the insolvency of the department, and in
sisted upon curtalment of its expendi
lures. Gardner was "horrifed," and ex
''it is impossIble," Even he.
however, is now compelled to admit that
it was sad reality.
II will thus be seen hat the whole has
grown out Of a corrupt system of favorit
ism. introduced for the. purpose of acting
on the Presidential election; that the ex
tent of the allowances are attributable TO
the rival interests, stimulating each other,
and the incapaciiy of Gardner which kept
III persons in ignorance of the true condi- |
ion of the funds of the department..
MAJOR Barry has acted upon the infor-
nation given him by his subordinates, |
placed in the department for the purpose
IF controlling its patronage for the benefit
IF the candidate of the Regency. We
cannot well imagine condition in which
an honorable and sensitive mind can be
placed, which is more painful than that
which has fallen to the lot of Mr.. Barry.
He has been made to bear the responsible
lty OF other mems acts.
We are gratifed to find that there is
disposition to do him justice in this re
spect; that the real authors of this corrup
lion, which has no parallel but in the In.
dian Department, will not be permitted to
propitiate public opinion, by offering him
up as victim.
The remarks Of Judge Bib, upon this
subject, will arrest the attention of the
public, and do honor to the head and
heart of that faithful and consistent pri
vate friend and public servant
u S. Telegraph.