The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-08
The City Postmaster.

The complaints against the administration of
the City Post Office, have become SO common
that it is due to the public that the subject should
be grave ly investigated. It's IMPOSSIBLE that the
Postmaster General can be ignorant of the unver
sal dissatisfaction which Notwithstanding OF
his correction, the community are bound to raise
such clamor, as will admonish the Assistant Post
master OF the necessity to allay public indigna-
ton by dllgent and unremitting attention to the
duties of his Office. Public officers are public SER
vants-faling to appreciate 1t, they should be
taught to understand, that offices not estab-
shed for their individual enjoyment, but to carry
on the machinery OF the government. With more or
less reason all public officers are arraigned at the
bar OF public opinion, and not unirequently those
are subjected to the unerring ordeal who sedu
lousy devote themselves to the public service ;
but, in this instance, the ground of complaint
does not admit of doubt, as we have before us the
notorious fact, that the Deputy Postmaster has,
Convention at the city Of Albany, since the LIST of
June, with but few days intermission.
We are not those who object to reasonable re-
Taxation from public duties, but, in common with
gence and application. Nor should we notice the
present delinquency, were the duties of the Of
flee efficiently discharged by the deputy now
having charge of thus office. Conduct to
served by every other public officer; if not,
let HIM show warrant for peculiar exemption.
Ii then 1t be true that he is placed in the same
category with others holding Office, what would
De VIC pIdCtCdl result III uccUSc were taken Dv
each, TO abdicate his post at pleasure, and again
return when quite convenient! What conf
dence would be reposed in the administra-
ton, should the District Attorney, Marshal, Col
lector, and Surveyor, be INDUCED in the same
wandering piper propensties, which the Post
master has so l)ng pursued? Already he has been
absent from his post nearly three months, and
Judging by the progress of the Convention, few
will be vain enough to predict The period when
we may welcome his return. Most of us sup
posed that the duties of postmaster related to the
mail matter, until Mr.. Morris taught us that tinker
ing constitutions was an incident to the office
Ii our old fashioned notions are Just, MIR. Morris
should rather resign his office or his seat in the
Convention, as the tenure of the one is wholly
incompatible with the occupation OF the other.
With HIM the preference rests, and the public
Will be satisfied with his election. If career of
politics. or the advancement of ambitious pur-
poses, affords him qualification beyond the honors
or emouments of his office, doubtless the execu-
tive will submit to the embarrassment of filling
his place, however much his efficiency may be
regretted.
There are still other reflections which obsti-
naely arise in this anomalous condition of affairs.
The public mind is too jealous to be entirely sa-
sfied, tr-t it is alone to the vauting ambition of
the assistant postmaster, that his present pursuits
are attributable, however well assured, that the
dazzling dad-m of the gubernatorial chair has
for that gentleman surprising Vaccinations sufii-
Gent for any sacrifice he could make In graspins
at its possession that temptation may solve the
problem as regards that Office, but how can
reconcile the conduct of the Postmaster General
In the appreciation he comedies by not nterposing
a prompt and effectuai remedy; especially do we
wonder at his countenance in seeing the rigid dis
cipline cxacted by that Cabinet minister from all
other officials in his department. Surely none
can suppose that the Postmaster General enter
tains much sympathy for the Deputy's ambitious
aspirations, however sincerely the Secretary Of
War may harmonic with them.
Pubic gossip runs thus:-Ihe Federal Govern
ment has its aims and ends in view; new con-
stituuon is in the process ofmanufacture; the re-
guaton Of railroads may become an important
feature in il; may be that the assistant post
master is an agent from Washington to subject
those works by an organic law oil the state 10 the
control OF The federal will respects the tran
sportaton OF mails Z This is not a novel idea
il has been favorite theory OF all postMasters
since railroads have been established. Without
enquiring into the utility of the project, or whe-
Their public interests would thus be subserved, at
the threshold we encounter a principle OF public
danger, in the attempt to appropriate portion OF
State sovereignty to the central government. in
gaining a control over State Corporations. Whe-
ther this be idle conjecture, or reasonable appre-
henson, 1t should be looked to; and the people of
priety of entertaining federal officer as a mem
Der OF their convention. 1t is at war with the
genius OF our institutions, that men under pay
and with their will--consequenuy subjected to
the federal Executve--should be permitted TO
control our municipal affairs. He who holds
Office under the United States, is, ipso tdcto, dis
franchised with his own consent, as respects
State legislation. He surrenders that. and
kindred privileges, in the moro immediate
and absolute allegiance he owes to the
power from which he derives his Official
exstence; nor would discreet politician hold
the false or doubtful position occupied by the
Postmaster, aside from the indelicacy proceeding
from pecuniary considerations. If he be not an
emissary from Washington, his obi ect is too tran
sparent to win great success. Ii IS yet poss bic
he may never be Governor. PATRICK HxaRy.