The New York herald., 1875-09-01
Eyesores in the New
Building.
A POST OFFICE MUSEUM.
HumOrs Of the Searchers'
Department.
BUTTER AND MILK CRACKERS BY MAIL

its sentiment seemed TO reecho the popular heart.
for all day long the subordnates OF Postmaster James
brought him reports OF the complaints pre-
ferred by the business public. II seemed TO be the
general opno ion that this miserable wooden box which
looks as though few rough old boards had been flung
together per chance and were kept together now
nobody knows how the architectural effect Of
the entrance completely and that II nothing
short OF eyesore. The writer called upon
Postmaster James with reference TO this nuisance
and the latter said that he had nothing to do with
minor arrangements Of this character which rested en-
tirely with the supervising architect Mr. Potter How
ever, he, as well as Mr. Pearson, the assistant post
master. expressed themselves being decidedly op-
posed to such ds6gurements of the Post Office build.
ing and promised TO hold consultation to-day with Mr.
Potter with view to the removal of the stand
MR. PorrER's DISCREET COURSE
MT Potter was also visited He said that the per-
mission 10 keep stands in the old building had been &C.
corded by the Secretary OF the Treasury to
persons whom he deemed worthy OF receiving
aid, and as no objections were raised their
continuance in the new structure was also
allowed However, he reposed implicit confidence
in the judgment of Mr. James, and IL the latter thought
it best to the stand he would gladly acquesce in
the Postmasters decision He Air. Potter had designed
some ornamental plans for these stands in order TO
make them as little Objectionable possible, but he
would be happy to give his immediate consent TO any
action the Postmaster desired to take Mr. Potter was
asked about the lunch in the northern portion of
the Broadway side, which is announced open soon
and said that its fate must also rest with Postmaster
James. II is to be hoped that the latter official will
promptly suppress the nuisance already nourishing
the shape Of cake and soda stand and nip the other
the bud After Mr. Potter's discreet declaration the
responsibility rests entirely with the Postmaster
SECOND BUSINESS DAY.
Everything lives but for a day, especially in New
York. While on Monday the new edifce was crowded
with immense multitude OF curious spectators the
visitors yesterday mainly confined to those having
business in the Post Office In fact, apart from the
workmen who still busy with the finishing touches
everybody walked about and transacted his business
pretty much though he had done in these quar-
ters for years. There some prominent visitors
however at the Postmasters Office, such as Noah H.
Swayne, Of the Justices Of the United States su.
preme Court; ex-Judge Robertson, OF Weschester;
Samuel Sloan President Of the Delaware and Lacka-
wanna Railroad Moses Taylor, Judge Dittenhofer and
G. NJ Thorne, the Masonic king They all went away
delighted with Mr James handsome office.
Mr. James asked about the fee OF 81 charged for
the letter box keys, regarding which there had been
some complaint II will be remembered that peo-
pie threw out hint that this money must so into
the deep recosses of some post officials pockets Mr.
James denies this allegation in the most emphatic
and refers TO his quarterly reports OF receipts in
|
compelled charge this fee (which s returned the
delivery Of the key he signed accept for IL 900
letter box keys and as, no doubt many would be lost
| but for this deposit
! About 100 iamppost boxes have been removed from
the vicinity of the Post Office to points below Full
ton street, where they are more needed now This Is
| step in the right direction
| TO FINISHED.
1t stated yesterday that II uncertain whether
| the remaining work the Post Office would be
pended day carried to completion. Ii appears
probable that the workmen who are still employed will
| wit aGk hach hppn mt in
| complete working order.
There was a rumor yesterday that Mr. Boyd, Of the
| United States Postage Stamp Agency would be
moved but he has especial immediate connection
with the New York Post ONCE All the United States
postage stamps manufactured here by the Conti-
mental Bank Note Company and the United States Post
age Stamp Agent supcrvses the work OF forwarding
them 10 the different postmasers throughout the Unon
| whose requisitions first sent to Washington and
| then transmitted to him The rumor created ripple
Of excitement among the old employees, Mr. Boyd hav
ing filed his present position for the last fourteen years
LOST AND MISSING LETTERS
One Of tho curious and at the time instruc
tive bureaus in the admirably managed New York Post
Office is that Of the Searchers Department under the
charge OF Mr. j. H Haett II Is 10 this Office all per-
sons are directed who lose letters papers or parcels
and from this place the thousand wheels of the detective
system of the Post Office set In motion 10 remedy
carelessness detect crime Let 1t be recorded, how
ever the credit Of the Post Office employees that-in
nine cases out Of ten where missing letters and
packages reported their miscarriage Is traceabe
directing not stamping, &c. with merchants clerks
and office boys, who steal them and never post them
at all
In che Searcher5' Department Colonel James the
Postmaster has just naugurated an Improvement for
which the department should be as grateful the pub
lie. It consists OF
in which every inquiry for missing letter paper or
parcel is recorded with the name of the writer, to
whom directed description OF contents steps set
foot reports Of searching agents and in fine
complete history Of the search until the final report Is
made that it is found-which IL generally s-and the
folly and careessness Of the sender receiver exposed
glance through this valuable book proves II 10 be
veritable curiosity shop and the HERALD representative
In exposing few Of its official secrets may do the public
q good service
FOR instance It recorded here among the hundreds
Of misdirected letters that great hue and cry
made at the Post Office for package (valuable) said
have been addressed Middletown, Conn At the
machinery put in motion to discover 1t Scores OF
country city postnasters written and agents
in every State where there a Middleown ad-
vised Hardly had the chase begun before the stray
letter was sent back the New York office Its
hdent and careful writer had addressed 1t to Middle
town, N. Y.
been directed TO Orchard street. Newark After much
trouble 1t discovered and had been misdirected 70
Orchard street. city
But now comes a greater revelation OF carelessnesa
Gladwn and Co., bankers OF this city, complained OF
the loss of q valuable letter they had sent away,
tanning
ONE HUNDRED SHARES PACIFIC MAIL
stock They reported IL as having been put into
lamppost box Now, indeed, there was a search, not
only for letter, but for a thief After while the
bankers reported the letter found WhereS The
only lamppost box II had ever entered was the coat
pocket Of the writer-a not unusual termination Of
Post Office search
Another letter positively declared TO have been
sent to Newark, N. j., with check In 1t This
found all right at Trenton and distinctly directed there
Another, for Hastings, Oswego county, N. Y,
found safe and sound at Hastings, the Hudson
HANOVER BANK,
OF this city sent valuable letter to Messrs Powers
Weghtman, the great manufacturing chemists Of Phil
adelphia II could not be found; but few days after
ward il was discovered all right between some news
papers Of the firm had taken out Of his Post Ofce
box the very day 1t should have arrived
An Oent N
Postmaster 10 report the loss OF valuable letter He
had directed IL 70 No S34 Water street His invoices OF
goods &C. In this package and his cases had been
sent TO the public OF this unfortunate
loss After a troublesome investigation
HAPPY hAN
was handed his letter, but II addressed No 334
Canal He naturally supposed that Water street.
could not be far from Canal
valuable letter for nrm in this city lay in their
box one whole week because their Office boy would not
bring the postage due H. never reported TO his en-
| poyers and when no did finally take II he obterated