The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-03-20
POST OFFICE MATTERS.

We transfer from the Courier and Enquirer,
of New York, an article upon the subject Of
the prosecutions instituted by the United States
against Lysander Spooner, and his agents.
The New York Journal of Commerce and
Express have espoused the cause of This yiolator
Of the laws, with such zeal, and reckless abuse
of the Postmaster General, as TO give rise to
the suggestion tia, they may be part and parcel
OF this "American Letter Mail Company"
though not willing to be openly known as such.
They both abuse the Postmaster General, be-
cause, as they say, he did not meet Mr.. Spoo-
ner's proposition to make up an issue, as TO the
constiturionality Of certain Post Office laws,
which have existed ever since the Post Office
was established, which Mr.. Spooner and his
coadjulors proposed openly TO violate. But Mr.
Spooner's proposition was, that he would submit
TO one suit, aud argue the facts, upon condition
that he was quietly 10 be permitted by the Gov
eminent to pursue his business unmulesled I'M
I'll the question could be finally settled by the
Supreme Court, in a suit for penalty Of $50,
a sum too small 10 give the Supreme Court ju-
risdiciion. In the mean time Mr. Spooner and
Company, by their lswless course, would make
a sutficiency not only to pay the penalty, but per
haps TO put them in funds, and then laugh at
the fylly of their Government for being so easily
duped. The Postmaster General saw his duty
plainly presented, in the first section Of the act
of 1925, in these words: "he shall prosecute
all offences against The Post Office establish
menl.n
The same law provides that for each offence
(such as Mr. Spooner was guilty oO penalty
Of fifty dollars be imposed. Tn PING. therefore
directed his agents report to the District Altor-
ney, in each district, whenever they had proof
of violation Of law, by Mr.. Spooncr, or any
one else.
Judge Healh-a pure and upright Judge in
Mary decided, as had been done be-
fore, that these laws were constitutional
Mesrs.Spooner and his friends, (il not partners,
the editors of the Journal OF Commerce and Er-
press, proclaim tina, this decision was given by
the Judge, because in Maryland there are ne
groes, and 1t was suited to a meridian where
slavery is tolerated tut they rejoice that they
have chance to try The question in free State.
They eyclalufs 1--WE shall speedily know, as
we trust, whether jury or Judge can be found
in free State who will sanction official perse-
cution Of this sort" What impudent reckless
ness, to invoke the spirit Of. Abolition TO invade
the sanctty Of our Judicial tribunals =!
Mr.. Wickllne, the Postmaster Genera. has
pursued in This case the path of duty. He saw
reckless and irresponsible (if not concealed)
combination to break down Department Of the
Government committed to his charge. He has
employed only legal means to arrest the perpe-
traitor. whenever and wherever they were found
IN The violation Of the laws Of the land. w.
have taken some pains 10 ascertain the facts
connected with this subject, and ask the press
every where, particularly in New York, Boston,
Philadelphia and Baltimore TO copy ih. article.
that their IT aders muy know the grounds which
the editors Of the Journal of Commerce and EI-
press have for their TRADE against worthy, in.
dependent and meritorious public officer
"Orrsr,sroS Mr.. wiokliae has re.orted To IN.
weapons usually employed by little minds, to carry
his plans OF Post Once monopoly into effect yusf,s
II accepting The proso,si Of NJ. Spoorsr, Of the Amer