The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-30
CARRYING OUT THE PRINCIPLES.

We are permitted 10 publish the following in
structons 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 advent TO the Presi-
dency, by giving, in 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.
To THE Hon S. r. HoBBIE,
Acting Postmaster General
Sin Information having been received, in a form
entitled to attention, that the Postmasters at --,
Pennsylvania, and ---, Ohio, have SO far violated
the obligations which they implicitly assumed, tax
ing Office under my Administration of abstaining
from any active partzanshp, or 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, if
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 conduct
themselves. The Post Office Department, in all its
operations, should be conducted for the single pur
pose Of accomplishing the important objects for
which il was established. II should in especial
manner, so far is practicable, be disconnected from
party politics. 1t established for specified pur-
poses Of equal Importance to every citizen To
vert il into engine Of party, to be used for party
purposes, is TO make it the fruitful source Of the most
alarming evils. RamfeI as il is and extended to
every neghborhood the purity fits administration and
necessarily Gifts agents should be particularly guarded
For Deputy Postmaster to use his ranking privi-
ege Ca privilege bestowed upon him for the sole pur-
pose of generating him from oppressive charges in
the necessary correspondence Of his Office in scatter
ing the country pamphlets, newspapers, 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
two examples shall be found sufficient to correct an
evil which has SO extensively prevailed.
l will take this occasion also to add for your
instruction, that the appointment to, and continuance
in the office of Postmaster Of any one editing po-
isca newspaper, is in the highest degree obectona-
BILE. II involves most of the consequences above stat
edintroduces politics into the Post Office-dimnish
the revenues, and confers privileges editor
which all cannot enjoy. In word, il is my fixed
purpose far in lies to separate the Post Office
Department from politics. and bring about that reform
which the country has so loudly demanded
JOHN TYLER.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2Sth, lS4l.