The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-02
The post Once Den.rtm.ut

Considerable complaint has been made of late in
regard to the irregularty of the mail service and
we, in common with other members Of the press,
have suffered annoyance and inconvenience In
charging the responsibility Of these failures to any
particular person or bureau, some regard should be
exhibited towards the character of the individuals
who are thus assailed even if there is Difference
shown to Justice. Mr. Collamer and Mr. Warren
have each in turn been roundly abused by the Lo-
cooco press for these accidents of the mail accord
ing to the degree Of maevoence felt towards either
by the papers from which the censure fulm-
mated. Now IL 50 happens that neither of these
gentlemen ~ responsible in his official capacity for
any delinquency in the service of this branch of
the post office. The department is divided among
several bureaus, which independent of each
other, and each Of which has in charge particu-
lar sub division of business. 1t is the duty of the
Postmaster General to supervise the whole service
and by his ability and industry To give il efficiency
and usefulness Col. Warren is at the head of the
appointment Office, and has az much to do with
the transportation of the mails the Bey of Tunis
The whole superintendent and direction Of the
carrying and letting of the mails belong 10 the
first Assistant Postmaster General, Mr.. s. r. Hob
bic, who has had charge of this bureau for series
OF years, and for whom Is claimed through his
Locofoco friends, peculiar merit in administering
that office. We hope when the opposition press
has occasion again TO prefer complaints on this sub
ject it will not forget that the responsibility rests
with gentleman who sympathizes with all their
political views, who has no feeling in common with
the present Administration, and who was an office
holutf uufiHB tns JdCksOn, an buren, TYLER. and
Polk dynasties. II may be convenient To assail
Mr. Collamer and Mr.. Warren-because they are
not Bocofocos-for errors and delays which occur
In Mr.. Hobbies bureau; but il is neither lust nor
honorable, when the blame is his and not theirs
For our part, we believe the contract office as IL is
called, at Washington, might be greatly improved,
by the energy and ability Of some competent per.
son, not welded To the exploded policy and anti
quated routine which veteran place holders will
never surrender, since they regard all improve
ment as innovation, merely because it does not
conform TO their circumscribed notions, or is not
influenced by some old rule which is unworthy of
the times
We arc well assured that Mr. Collamer intends
10 administer his department for the benefit Of the
public at large, and that he means TO introduce
many beneficial reforms Looking TO these objects
he has recently made tour of personal inspection,
which cannot fail 70 be productive of good results;
and we expect, at very early day 10 hear of
changes In the mail transportation, which will be-
highly acceptable 10 the press and the public If
there Is want oil capacity, or dogmstical adhesion
TO prescribed usages, marked out with mathemati-
cal lines, either in the contract or any other bu.
reau, Mr.. Collamer IL Just the man To apply rem
edy. reach whom it may. He owes this duty To the
country, and to his own reputation i'm the present
instance; and we trust that full and careful in
vestgation will be made of the causes which have
recently deranged the transpor ton of the mails
Experience has satisfied us, that in governmental
as well as in private affairs new men, with yigor,
ambition, and purpose, are more efficient than
those who are governed by formula and whose
ideas never venture beyond precedent of mast am,
thority North american.