Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-31
Richmond, Dec. 253, 1885.

Ny Dear Friend:-Your letter of the 10th has Just
reached me; and in accordance with your request has
ten 10 communicate to you, writing, the views and
opinions concerning The Postmaster General, which
expressed you late conversation. If by their
publication you can, you to believe, snake atone
nent for. the in Justice which your pre- udiccs have
pcrpetrated against that gentleman, my little trouble
in committing them to writing will be abundanty
pensaed.
When the appointment Of Mr. Kendall to preside over
the Posl-Otfce Department. was announced in the pub
lie prints, last Spring. murmur of complaint heard
from some of the most violent OF the antAdmnisraton
papers, accompanied by ntimated suspicious that his
minaon TO that Office would not be confirmed by the
Senate. Although taking part in the political
cts of the day and being as still am, personally un
acquainted with MIR. Kendall felt, nevertheless, live
y interest in the suitableness Of his qualifications for the
and important station TO which ne called-ren
dered at that time peculiarly momcntous to the national
veal in consequence Of the derangcd and embarrassed
condition of the Post.O Department. was INDUCED
therefore, in conversation with gentlemen whom kDew
to be politically opposed to Mr.. Kendall, and who, from
intercourse with him in transactions connected with his
Office as Fourth Auditor, conversant with his quall
ications for business to make inquiries in reference
these and much gratiied to learn, that but
one opinion existed the subject, namely-that he
cmne ny officer of Cuisines habits and talents
approximations, however were expressed by some per-
sons that lie would WELD the influence ard patronage of
his office for political effect regardless ef consequences
10 public private interests DesEous TO ascertain
whether there any just grounds for the indulgence
,is of his character and pleased TO learn from those
who knew him well and in whose assurances could
fully confde that his dispositions and views had been
totally nisconccivcd and egresiousy nisrcpescned BY
MANY of the writer's for the newspapers opposed to him.
Under the conviction that Euch the case, hcsa-
led not freely to my opinions the subject; and
the result is, that my attention has been particularly d.
rected to the conduct Of Mr. Kendall ever since he has
been at the head of the Post Office Department. in this
scrutiny have not een able to discover any perverson
of his powers party Objects to detect any pablo
omission duty any relaxation ct energy IN single
instance where its exercise has been demanded by inc
public interests. All reported delnquencles whether OF
Postmasters Contractors other agents Of the Depart
ment, have far my information exiends-and be-
eve it embraces almost the entire lst-been promptly
inquired into and when established satisfactory evil
dence visited with appropriate punishments Charges
of and OF the exercise OF unjust favorltls
have, know, been alleged against Mr.. Kendall in few
instances hut examination into the iactsn each case,
has proved the charges have orig mated either in blind
msroacepton partizan misre presentation The plan
which he has adopted Of publishing weekly report OF
the prominent transactions Of the Department. with the
reasons which they founded while it evinces
audabe respect for public opinion and determination
TO submit his official deeds 10 general inspection, lore
stalls conjecture oyerrules prejudice and sllences the
voice of malice His hand has thrown open the portals
of the Post Office Departmen-ght flows into its deep
recesses-and these longer haunted with real
or imaginary demons
Conclusive proofs of the excellence of Mr. Kendals
qualifications for his station found in his recent Re
port. These proofs may safely challenge confuaton-
they consist of facts ptibe Of demonstration When
Mr. Kendall took charge Of the Department. lie found it
abouriDg under heavy burden Of debt, and unsuppot
ed by public confidence. Its financial operations, from
long series of mismanagcmen had become exceedingly
intricate and obscure, and its whole machinery clog.
ged with difculticsIn the of little than
half year, lie has introduced into its fiscal
system of economy, security and Productveness which
nave enabled him 10 pay off large portion of its debts,
and 10 anticipate with confidence his ability liquidate
.he total claims upon before tho close Of the pesen.
session OF Congress, leaving in possession of clear
annual surplus exceeding 0o0 applicable to the
o.. ones" =. -. - -es.,- = r.
rs: ;he disposable funds Of the Department will