Lower Sandusky freeman. (Lower Sandusky [i.e. Fremont, Ohio]) 1849-1849, 1849-04-21
NUMBER 9.

The PosT MASTER GENERAL AND THE MAS CoN-
RAcToRs-The dry routine of official duties is oc-
casionally relieved by something utof the usual
way. An instance of this kind occurred on Monday,
in the bureau of the Post Master General
The approaching lettings of mail contracts brings
to our city, at this time large number of persons
desirous of entering into engagements with the gov
ernment for Transporting the mails for the next four
years in the states of New England and New York,
where existing contracts are about to expire; and
in the different states of the Union upon routes
created by recent act of Congress.
These gentlemen called in a body on the post
master general, some to make his acquaintance,
and others to remind him of what they had preyi-
ously suggested of the importance and advantage
of liberal course towards them in making thecon-
tracts The number around him made the post
master feel as if he was upon his old theatre ofac
ton-the floor of Congress, and he was all at once,
betrayed into speech.
Onr informant says he cannot presume to report
it. not being prepared at the moment to do so; but
the impression produced by the remarks was so
agreeable, that he has attempted to make the fol-
lowing imperfect sketch:
Mr. CoIamer said Some of you complain of the
change made in ls45 of the mode of letting routes
to contract This change was required b5 law. 1t
was, | know procrustean operation Every con-
tractor who was too long for the bedsteadwas cur
rather dlsagreeable, by trimming him off at the
feet; and in others by taking off his head. But
the post master general was bound to execute the
law then, and he is bound to execute it now, tho
circumstances yesomewhat changed
He said he found that the service they were to
bid for was specified in the advertisement that he
perceived that regulations were also promulgated
under which the bids and the decisions were to be
made. Without saying whether these regulations
were right or wrong-and he did not wish to be
understood as making any objection whatever to
any of them-those regulations must govern the
course to be pursued. A departure from them
now would be acting in bad faith to the public; but
he found, by the regulations there were some ca
ses in which he could exercise discretion, and that
he would endeayor to exercise it in such manner as
best to subserve the public interest Some thought
economy was everything and nothing else was to be
considered. He did not think the department was
merely made to save money. If that was the only
object the best way would be to have no depart
ment and save it all Another opinion was, that
expedition and accommodation were everything, no
matter what it cost; that the wheels were to be
kept going, whether there was any thing to grease
them or not
This was the other extreme; and it was plain to
see that such a course would soon run the depart
ment off its legs He had Travelled over some of
their slippery roads, when the question was, which
is the best track to take? Some advised to .drive
on the upper side. dash ahead, and fear nothing"
Others said, sstick to the lower side, you'll up
set" He was not disposed to run the risk of cap
sizing the COACH nor was he willing to drag along
in the ditch. He should keep the middle track.
It was the safest and best. 1t had been the rule
of his life to do so.
These, with other observations, shadowed out in
a very significant and at the same time humorous
and agreeable manner the upright, just, and judi
cious course that the post master general intended
TO pursue. Nat Int