Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-02-13
Liabilities Of Poatmastera.
From nolbro0k,. ua!t.d States Mail.

From HOlbrOOkb ualted States Nail!
II is q very serious question how far post
master is TO be held responsible, In cases of Dc.
cuniary loss, resulting from a failure to do his
whole duty In respect TO the custody of letters
passing through his hands. When it is clear
ly shown that such loss has been the result OF
bis own gross careessness, or that Of his sub
ordinates, or the general bad management OF
bis office, it would seem no more than Just that
such liability should follow.
At least, such has been the opinions CT courts
and juries in some cases where this question OF
responsibility has been brought before them. -
The case Of Christy VS., Smith, Postmaster at
Waterbury. Vermont, which may be found in
"Vermont Reports" J." volume 8. page 663, should
serve az warning to postmasters who are prone
to tntficlency and loose management In the
discharge Of their duties.
A letter containing considerable amount Of
money was mailed at Salisbury, VT, to a party
In Waterbury In the same State Il was lost
Suit was brought against the postmaster for the
recovery OF tho amount, with costs. IL was
satisfactorily shown that the letter reached the
Waterbury office, but was not delivered. Il was
further proved that the Office was badly man
aged; that letters could be easily abstracted
from the boxes by reaching through the delivery
window, and that persons in no way connected
With the Office were allowed free access, at all
times, behind the bo3es, and his assistants ad
mitted that they had never taken the required
oath ofoface. -
This case resulted In verdict for the plain
till, though 10 one attributed TO tho defendant
any greater delinquency or dishonesty than a
neglect of that degree of watchfulness and
care Implied BY the acceptance of his Imports Mt
trust
Honesty in the discharge Of official duty is not
confined In abstaining from, or depredatng upon
the m ails,, or otherwise violating the sanotity
oil letter seals for purposes Of mere curiosity.
IL is not honest TO allow others not connected
with post Office en- opportunity to be dishonest,
by failing to provide all possible checks and pre-
cautions against such contingencies.
It Is not honest to employ In such responsible
position persons who, through ignorance, bad
habits, stupidity, or indifference, are as likely
to 60 wrong ns right in transacting post Office
business.
lt not honest to accept high trust from the
Government. and yet consider and treat the DO
alton in the light Of enecure, Visiting the Of
dee often enough, perhaps, to sign the quarterly
account, and pocket the large OF small commits
sionsi as the oasomay bs.
ttis not honest to make the post office po-
lititieal ,caucus-room, where tobacco smoke,
loud talking, and disorder, usurp the place Of
neatness and good order, and where the timd
applicants for letters are turned of with neg.
ative growl from the lazy official in the dim dis.
tance, who finds IL easier to pronounce the
hackneyed word "nothing," than to take down
his extensive legs from their elevated position,
and make faithful search for the letter.
II is far from honest to allow curious and
prying persons to inspect the letters of others
for any purpose or under any pretext, or 70 af.
ford any information whatever concerning such
correspondence. In short, the public have q
light to expect and to demand the utmost care,
privaoy, and vigilance, in the management of
their postal affairs.