New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-04
A STRAY POSTMASTER.

the missionary SOCletleS, anu ucNcI l"ii w Wv
the handsome thing in the way of entertain
ing stray individual missionaries, have in their
immediate neutrality-suspicious. next dOOr-neigh-
bors who are going to the bow-wOws at a
very rapid rate, in whom they take not the
slightest interest. 1t has sometimes happened
that young mothers whose children needed
mothers care and attention. have become so
much interested in tableaux and fairs ana
amateur theatricals for the benefit OF the neg
lected children of the town, that their own neg
lected darlings, intrusted to slp-shOd nursery
maids, or left to their own devices, have grown
ND to be unmitigated nuisances. Now mis-
sionary societies are good institution, ana
most missionaries are very worthy persons,
and lodging-house for neglected children are
very excellent things, and the conspicuous
efforts on behalf of such charities are most
commendable, but it's good plan sometimes
for the philanthrOpists who send tracts to the
heather to have their own tracks seen among
their low down neighbOrs, and for the con-
spicuously benevolent mothers who gallop
round on behalf Of the neglected children OF
the poor to stay at home few minutes IN the
day with their own growing families.
Gov. Jewell has thus far done so well in the
Post-Ofice Department that we dislike even
to seem to criticise his administration. 1t
is q thankless task to call the attention of the
really benevolent and sincere persons who are
looking afar off for opportunities to do little
good, TO the chances for doing more good
nearer home. Gov. Jewell attacked vigorously
the system of straw bids Immediately upon
assuming the duties Of his office lie reached
out to Texas and began much needed re-
form in the postal service of that State. just
now he is engaged in another enterprise In
which he deserves the sympathy of all honest
citizens. and the cooperation of Congress. TO
wit, breaking up tho combination by which the
mail service in the Pacific States and
the Territories has been turned INTO
gigantic monopoly. He has done, and is
doing, so well in these and other particulars,
and there is so much of such work to
be done, that we hesitate at making any sug-
gestion that will add to his labOrs. But 1t
NAV be that the Postmaster-Gencral, in ex-
tending his vision to Texas and Oregon and
other remote dependencies, overooks the little
post-office nearest to him. We venture to call
his attention to Mr. John NJ. Edmunds-
"Judgen John NJ. Edmunds, we believe-who
draws salary as Postmaster at Washington
and discharges the duties of Secretary Of the
Congressional Republican Committee and
Managing Director Of the Party in all the
States.
We are informed that Postmaster Ednunds
is at the time of this writing in the State of
Michigan-a point somewhat remote from the
delivery of the Washington POst-Ofce. 1t is
currently reported and generally believed in
the State of Michigan that he is taking an
active part in behalf of Senator Chambers re-
election, and that he purposes remaining there
until after the Senatorial election has taken place
1t is also believed that to secure his reelection
Mr.. Chandler is willing to spend large amount
of money from his ample private fortune, and
that Postmaster Edmunds will in all human
probability have more or less to do with the
disbursements. The people of Micbigan-who
are generally supposed to have had enough of
Mr.. Chandler and to be willing to have less
hereafter-may misjudge. 1t may be that tho
Washington Postmaster does not come to Michi-
gan to put Mr.. Chambers money "where it will
edo most good"-b they do decidedly sus-
pect it. Many of them have heard of another
Postmaster at Washington, in the House of
Representatives, who received large sums of
money ignorantly and dsbursed them uncon-
sciously, and they begin-the simple souls-to
doubt Washington Postmasters. There is q
feeling in Michigan that upon the whole it
would be much more creditable to "the best
"cyil service on the planet" as we'll as to
the great party of which Postmaster Edmunds
is suffering dip, if not a shining hght-if
this Postmaster would 60 right back to
Washington and attend to his duties.
The person in night-cap who ad-
dressed the late serenaders, from
an open window, with the request that they
should go and make their noise where they
got their rum. expressed pretty nearly the
feeling of the Michigan people toward this
stray Postmaster.
Would it not be we'll for Gov. Jewell to re-
call Postmaster Edmunds to Washington 7
He may not be of any use there, to be sure !;
but he is worse than useless in Michigan, for
the damages the department and the party in
the estimation of the people. 1t is hardly
necessary to remind the Postmaster General
that Mr.. Zlchariah Chandler Is not 80 valua-
BILE man in the Senate that either tho party
or the department need take any risks to in
sure his return. Even if the recall of
judge Edmunds to his duties-if he has
any-should result in the defeat of Mr.. Chand-
Ter, it would not be the worst thing that could
happen to the Senate, the Republican party, or
the State of Michigan. And as for the
judge he might solace himself at the
Capitol with the society of those "sincere and
"thoughtful statesmen" who assembled at
Chattanooga under his call last October for the
compilation of "bloody Outrages" for cam
paign purposes Call back this stray Post
master. Gov. Jewelll You'll have Republican