The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-17
& NEW POSTMASTER.

Resig nation OF General Jones and Nom Il
nation Of His Succcssor-The Reasons
for the Sudden Changc-The Incums
bent OF the ONCE Subjected to the
Dangers OF Volcanic Financia. Erup-
tions i'm the Form OF DefalcatiOns-His
Responsibility for All the Ill Deeds Of
His !WubOrslinmtes.
General Patrick II. Jones, Postmaster OF the New
York Post ONCE, returned on Saturday night from
Washington, where he had been to tender the
resignation Of his Office to President Grant.
General Jones was in Washington several days and
met the President and consulted with him on
various occasions
Yesterday HERALD reporter called upon Post.
master Jones at his residence at the Irving House.
and asked'him il he would consent to give the rea-
sons for his apparently sudden resignation.
General Jones said:-
My resignation has been in contemplation by
me some time and has, assure you, no political
significance whatever. The President and myself
are in perfect accord, and in my visit to Washing.
ton he treated me with great and kindly considera.
tion There has been no misunderstanding be-
tween us, and there was no reason in my resigning
but that ofmy own voliton. may say that IN my
term of office have entirely satisfied the Presf-
dent, and don't think could be reproached with
anything that was not in perfect accord with the
views OF the party. But the fact is, was growing
afraid. There have been more or less defacati0ns
during my time in the Post ONCE, and these have
worried me exceedingly. You see,
WAS RESPONSIBLE
for the good conduct of every man in the Post
Office and was held personally responsible for any
mistakes or deficiencies which occurred. 1t was
like sitting on volcano and 1 did not know at
what moment some big defalcatOn might occur for
which was sure to suffer. This constant bar to
my peace OF mind was too much for Inc, and, per-
haps more than anything else, caused me to tender
for the Senate before the adjournment to act upon
the appointment Of my successor in Office, though
were other reasons besides what have mentioned
which impeiled my resignation One was that
Of Oft the New YORK Post oice with ~ ''' "A
THE ACCOMMODATIONS AT PRESENT AFFORDED.
II was like boring an anger hole with gnE
a quart measure | have been as wen
aware as anybody else that the Post ONES
been, and that the public had reason to be dssats-
fed. The press has been very kind to me in this
ana should be the last one to deny it-have ex.
listed. I did my best, but it was OF no use. And
still another consideration with me in resigning
was that was lust offered very good opportu.
nifty in partnership in my swn profession-the
law-which will pay me better than anything the
government could give me.
The reporter asked General Jones If the defalca-
lions which he spoke OF would AFFECT him or his
bonds in $4OO 600, but that they would mot be
touched. He had sufficient property Of defauIters
to cover the amount Of defalcations during his
term OF Office. These amounted to about one hun.
dred thousand dollars not cent OF which would
be lost to the government, to himself or his bonds
men.
THE NEW OFFICER NOMINATED.
'lS the report that Mr.. Thomas L. James Is to
be your successor true?" asked the reporter.
''Yes He has already received the appointment
by the President, who has sent instructions abOar
it to the Postmaster General The name will be
sent to the Senate to-day"
General Jones made the ezoge of his successor.
whO he said, will take the place on the first day oil
April, as his own resignation only takes effect after
the 31st instant. He said In conclusion that he
was glad once more to be able to get nights
rest.
Mr.. Thomas L. James, who succeeds General
JONES' is a gentleman Of very fine capabilities, IL is
said, and one who is generally popular He at
present hOds the position of Deputy Collector Of
the Third Warehouse Division OF the Custom
House. He is also chairman OF the Civil Service
Commission Of the Collectors ONCE. Mr.. James Is
q stanch republican and originally came from Hamil-
ton. Madison county, where he started In life as
journalist. He has held responsible position in
the Custom House for many years.