The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-17
NEW YORK HERALD SUNDAY, FEBBuARY IT, 1856

street. Mayor Wood and the other residents beyond
that line have now the benefit Of outside Offices,
which they can use il they desire, in preference to
this Office as never heard Of any movement to in
island, assume that there are as many now o. are
desired. 1t Is well known fact that the tendency
OF all business movements In this city Is toward ts
lower extremity. People can more conveniently
half mile up. town. Therefore, an Office
at Thirty-second STREET, which is at the
junctufe of Broadway and Sixth avenue
would only be used, If at all, by residents above
new division Of carriers districts at this Office by
which Q single district has extended from Thirty
second to Fityfourth street. the entire width
OF the city From the LIST to the goth Of the present
Thousand two hundred and thirtytwo letters Of al
kinds an average of three hundred and sixty-two
letters day. During the same time there were de-
hveFed by carriers in the rest OF the city one hundred
and ninetyfour thousand and eighteen letters. or an
average Of nine thousand seven hundred and one
day. These do not include the box and general deve
ries. AS to the former it is not probable that single
box would be changed to another Office II one was
established. And as to the general delivery, the
only letters detained there those which have no
particular address, or those addressed to parties to
whom it is more convenient to call at this Office VI
course neither of these classes would lie sent to
branch ofce and if it is claimed that the residents
of the neighborhood from some distance below
Thrty-second street would use the proposed Office
answer that their number would not equal the num-
her Of those above Thirty-sec0nd street, who would
not use such an Office The bulk Of the letters in the
district above Thirty-second street on the two
sides from one to two miles distant from the juncture
OF Broadway and Sixth avenue, and to the recipi-
ens of such letters this Office is really more con-
venient than the one proposed.
This simple statement of facts destroys the whole
foundation OF the elaborate argument OF the memo
rial There is not single statement contained in
1t which cannot be turned with truth and effect
against the location Of Office at the spot it desig
mates. The feeling appeal of the Mayor in behalf
of the iaboring classes loses it. point, for if they
were compelled to obtain their letters at the place
be proposes, they would generally have to change
stages to get there, their omnibus fares would be
doubled, and their loss Of time much greater.
Indeed, person can hardly turn round in the
thickly settled portions of the city without his
eyes resting upon locality better entitled to
branch Post office, than the one designated by the
Mayor and Common Council; and If the system
of branch Offices is to be established, they should
be not one, but many. Canal street, Greenwich,
Chelsea, Madison square, Rose hill, Union square,
Dry Dock, Chatham square, and other places. are
infinitely preferable to the location of branch Office
One was tried several years since at Chatham
In my Judgment, o regular, frequent and efficient
carriers delivery of mail and city letters and news.
papers is the greatest convenience you can extend
to the inhabitants Of the upper part OF the city AS
you are aware, you have authorized me to make i'm
provement in that system have done so; and since
the LIST instant there is a regular delivery three
times day up to Fiftyfourth street. In the course
of few months expect to make the delivery four
times day.
1t is argued though not in the memorial, that
there is great loss Of time by the up town carriers
in coming to this Office for their letters, and also in
requiring city letters, deposited in boxes up town
for delivery across town. to be brought down to this
Office. In the course of short tine will submit
to you to avoid these delays plan for four carriers
and exchange stations up town, upon basis which
! am confident viii meet your approval, which we
can carry into effect on or before the first day OF
May and which will remove all cause for such COM
plants.
Notwithstanding the positive manner in which the
Mayor speaks, i believe that my opportunities for
forming an opinion as to the wishes of citizens
in postal matters are better than his. am certain
~ able TO judge more correctly in regard to the
practical working Of such matters; and l state,
with entire confidence, that efficient carrier and
collection system will not only be more convenient
to the great mass Of our citizens, wherever they
may be located. but will also be in accordance
with their wishes. And l am glad that I make
this statement to you, because you know that the
establishment of one or more branch Offices would
not make dollars difference to me in the value Of
my Office.
Iremain, respectfully and truly, yours,
ISAAC V. FOWLER. Postmaster.