The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-13
. M foR THE MADisoNIAS,
POSTMASTER GENERALS REPORT. T,


MIR. JONES: S,R--I have read with. Ausntion and
great interest the annual Report Of the Postmaster
General, and in common with all whom haye heard
speak on the subject pronounce it one of the abIest
and most satisfactory documents that has ever eman-
ated from that Department On this as on other oc-
casions, Gov. Wickiffs has furnished the country
with inconesabe evidence OF his eminent ability and
peculiar fitness, the superintendent OF this most
important branch of the public service and although
he before stood high in the public estimation, as one
of the principal officers ofthe Government, am sure
this last exhibition Of his official qualifications will,
if possible raise him still higher
The distinguishing feature in this Report is the sPi-
rit Of devotion to the public interests which it
breathes and the strict fidelity to the existing laws
of the land, which have governed and must govern
him in the discharge of his public duties
1t appears to me that those would be reformers in
various parts of the country, who have had so much
to say about the " monopoly Of the present Post Of
fee system--so many Improvements to recommend,
and much fault to find with the late administration
of the Post Office affairs have received their que-
!, least for the present. In the conclusive and
answerable arguments and stubborn facts" clear
" presented by the Postmaster General. AT any
rate shall probably hear the feet success
of the British system" again urged reason why
this Government should rush headlong into the almost
entire abolition Of the present rates of postage.
As to those presses and individuals who have been
50 forward in denouncing Gov. Wickfe, in connec-
ton with the restrictions he has fit to impose
certain private expresses the transportation of letters
s~d aswapapsrs out Of the mail, &c., they have their
labor for heir pains; and It must be indeed gratifying
to the distinguished officer who has been made the
object OF those unjust attacks to many Of those
very editors taking the "back track" and frankly
confessing that if there is fault anywhere, it is in the
Post Office laws and regulations thea selves.
There can be no doubt, however, that the popular
voice is for some and improved legislation this
subject This is needed both in defence of the inter-
est Of the citizen and the Post Office Department it.
SELF This Congress will have plenty of time to take
up this subject, and examine it candidly ard tho
roughly, and their constituents would doubtless con-
slider them much more proftably employed in this
way than in president-makng. rYl
The Report now before them will aid materially in
the proposed reformation, and the head of the De-
partment mas promised to furnish still more complete
statistics and important facts at early day should
they be needed
| will repeat that the enemies Of the Postmaster
General, those who have for months past
apparently sustained that relation to him, must hang
tIeir heads in shame and modification, when they
witness the mastery and triumphant refutation OF
trer wholesale accusations in the official communi-
cation just transmitted to Congress, from the Post
Office Department He will be fully sustained by
the almost unanimous voice Of the American People
while his devotion to the country and the laws will
enduring fame for himself and the patriotic Ad-
minstraton with which he is connected.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.