Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-02-26
TO THE PUBLIC OF IOWA.
WAsHIseToN. Feb. 3, 1852

-Htt. % WAsHiNeToN, rcU' ., ioS@'
The following letter which appeared
in late number of the "Miners Ex-
press" ct .Jubudue, must be my apollo
gy, and | have TO admit that it is rather
slim one for once more obtruding my
self upon the notice of the Iowa Public:
..Six Buildings, Washington. d. c.
Dec. IL, lS5l-lla p. M.
GENTs:-I called on the Post Master
General this morning with another letter
complaining of our mail failures from
The East, and have just received the fol-
lowing. The fact is, Col. Frink's infu-
ence with the Department is omnipo'ent.
Informed the Post Master General Of the
detention at Galena of our mails for the
last six or eight months, and the within is
his courteous reply. You may expect
relief hen the presen, Post Master Gem
eraI, and his Assistant, Fhz Wsrrensgo
out of the Department. and no. before.
| am sorry to have TO say this, but must
do so. Yours, ~,
GEO. w. JONES'"
As to the detention Of the mails. The
fault when complained of was no. with
Frink e. Co., but was caused by the fact
that the ferry owners at Du Buque would
not cross the mails at that hour of the
nigh. at which they necessarily arrived
circumstance of which Gen. Jones
was well aware at the time of penning
the above. In relation 10 my ''omnipo-
tence" with the Department, have on,
ly to say that if being compelled to per-
form my contracts faithfully, or pay hen-
Wy fines from which have not been a.
bic TO find any escape, be proof of nv
"infuence," | think most persons will
naturally conclude that it is no, very
dangerous. The fines now amount 10
The comfortable sum Of $4,000, as may
be ascertained by reference TO the books,
and they stand there in stubborn contra
diction to the SANDER which Gen. Jones'
letter would imply. think. therefore,
that can speak most consciensiously,
and if you please feelingiy. as to the rig
illness with which the officers. sought 10
be traduced in The above unbecoming e.
pisile, discharge their respective duties.
And whether it be derogatory or no, in
point of fact that an unpretending old
stage driuer. like myself should have
larger influence at the national capital
than one enjoying the privileges Of
Senator in Congress, the people, il oc-
ours to me, viii be somewhat surprised
thatthe most presump.uous Of all their
servants at Washington should LEI him.
self down to such confession.
The Express introduces the above
letter, with others. in an editorial which
goes beyond the cores pondence between
Jones and the Department, and pnrpor,s
to give certain expressions made use of
by myself in relation to a governments
officer in Iowa, of cdlibre and instincts
similar to Jones', and who had vented
his peevishness by destroying my prop
erty, and for which | intend TO prosecute
him. This conversation toek place in
tailor-shop Jones has remarkable pen.
chant for tallors, mantua- makers, Jewell
ers, and candy-manufacturers) and though
not designed to be specially private was
certainly not intended for the newspa-
pers. No one seemed more delighted
than beau Jones on the occasion referred
io--and were | capable of conLescending
to the dirty task OF reporting private con-
versaIioDs, l DO not, suppose that there
is paper in the country, even OF the
flash school, which would lend its col
umns to an utterance of the profanity
poured out by the volatile Jones. The
Senator has mistaken his duties, if not
disgraced his constituents. The people
never sent him here to play the part ola
common informer-or, if they did. they
have strange notions Of government and
the dignity OF the Senatorial position -
Blu, enough. Having been accustomed
all M life to curry horses, shall NOT at
This late period seek to vary my destiny
by raking down jackass. laa q
H JOHN FRINK.
4 . I. -