The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-02
CARRYING OUT THE PRINCIPLES.

We are permitted to publish the following in
structions from the President to the Post Office
Department. They are highly important, as
carrying out into energetic practice the avowals
made by John Tyler on his adventt to the PresI.
dency, by giving, in a manner that cannot be
misunderstood, assurance of real reform, in
at least so much Of the action of the Govern
ment as is performed through the $4,000 post
masters that hold appointment under it.
What the President requires is best stated in
his own language and to that we refer the
reader. But it cannot fail to command especial
notice, that in performing in this instance the
great constitutional duty of seeing that the laws
are faithfully executed, the President has ut
terly overlooked all personal advantages to
be derived from so numerous and effective a
corps of official dependents when allowed to
make political use Of their stations and privi-
leges. This proceeding is truly another mani
festation of his characteristic devotion to high
principles and the public veal. .....s"
To THE Hon. s. R. HoBBIE, 's. 5#"I~ -A'~ !
Acting Postmaster General:
Sin Information having been received, in form
entitled to attention. that the postmasers
Pennsylvania and Ohio have far violat-
ed the obligations which they implicitly assumed taxi
ing Office under my Administration, of abstaining
from any active partizanship, in any way connect
ing their offices with party politics. using them for
party purposes; have to request that inquiries shall
be instantly instituted into their conduct and that
the charges against them be found to be true they be
Immediately turned out of Office, and citizens APP
pointed in their places, who will otherwise oonsct
themselves. The Post Office Department, in all its
operations should be conducted for the single pur-
pose of accomplishing the important objects for
which it was established. 1t should in especial
manner far is practicable be disconnected from
party politics. 1t was established for specified pur-
poses of equal Importance to every citizen To con-
vert it into engine of party, to be used for party
purposes is to make it the fruitful of the most
alarming evils. Ramifed as il is and extended to
every neghborhoodhe purity fits administration and
necessarily ofs agents. should be particularly guarded
For Deputy Postmaster to use his franking privi-
ege Ga privilege bestowed upon him for the sole pur
pose of exonerang him from oppressive charges in
the necessary correspondence of his oice in scatter
ing over the country pamphlets, newspaper and pro-
ceedings, to influence elections, is to outrage all
propriety and must not for day be tolerated. Let
this be left to the politicians shall be happy if one
OF two examples shall be found sufficient to correct an
evil which has SO extensively prevailed. s a..
l will take this occasion also to add for your
instruction. that the appointment to, and continuance
in the Office of Postmaster of any editing po-
l!ical newspaper, in the highest degree objectiona
bic. 1t involves most of the consequences above stat
ed-introduces politics into the Post Ofiice-diminish-
es the revenues, and coners privileges on one editor
which all cannot enjoy. In word, it is my fixed
purpose as far in lies separate the Post Office
Department from politics. and bring about that reform
which the country has SO loudly demanded.
...l.... .... JOHN TYLER.
WAsHINaroN, Sept. 2Sth, lS4l a. j. n,...s...g