Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-04-17
LETTER FROM NEW YoRK.
NEW YORK, April IL, 1876.
Special Correspondence.

Special Correspondence.
Considerable sensation was created by
the circular of the Secretary of the
heasurery to the Post-ofice and Custom
House, stating, that, owing to lack of
appropriation TO cover such expenses,
the supply of coal. water, and gas to
these buildings must be at once discon-
tlnued. 1t may not seem so great
thing to be deprived of these commodi-
ties for few days, excepting for the
inconvenience to clerks, but It's serious
ness will be realized at once if one re-
fleets for q moment on the relation which
- Post-ofice bears to the commerce of
New York City, and through it to that
Of the whole country. So perfect and
regular have become the workings of our
postal system, that cur banks and mer-
chants have come to rely as implicitly
upon the punctual arrival of their mail
Temistances to effect elearances and meet
obligations. as though the cash was being
hurried to them by special messenger
/ So true is this, that the detention for an
hour or two of European or other i'm
portant mail. viii crowd the Office with
anxious business men elamoring to know
the reason of the delay, and imploring
the utmost despatch possible. The larg-
est portion Of the clerical work, which
renders possible this prompt and efficient
service, is done at night, or in parts of
the building where gas is a constant
necessity. With these points in mind,
one san easily imagine the CONSERVATION
ana distress which the closing of the
PostOfhee for even one night would
caus; and that if such interruptions
should be continued for single week,
numerous failures must result
But just this was what the order from
Washington meant, and as no disarrang-
ment of mails had followed, your cor
respondent called at the Post-offce to
learn how the difficulty had been sur
mourted. Here in his elegant Office be
found Postmaster James. a strikingly
fine boxing man, with short iron-gray
hair, dark eyes and moustache, hearty
voice and a cordial manner, with execu-
tive ability written all over him, and
from himself and his secretary learned
the following facts in the case.
: The Postmaster also holds the position
3 of Custodian of the Building. an Office
II which his immediate superior Is the
Secretary of the Treasurery, and which,
T while it involves immense additional re-
sponsibility and the giving of extra
bonds, Is filed by Postmaster James
, without salary. 1t was in this capacity,
therefore, that he received the above
mentioned circular. His reply was
prompt. and to the effect that as Custo.
J dian he should carry out the orders al
once. As Postmaster, however. hi;
course was very different. and consisted
simply in becoming personally responsi
bic for the indispensable supplies, o.
/, which gas is, Of course, the main item
amounting to something ike 500 Pc
day, and he remains SO at the presen
writing This prompt action on th'
part Of Mr.. James, which averted losse
and damage to trade which would hav
cost US dear, Is fully appreciated by tn
business community. and the Office Is il
: receipt Of numerous letters testifying it
gratitude. Through the courtesy Of th
Postmaster. your correspondent was ais
afforded an opportunity Of inspecting tn
building from sub-basement TO cupols
and also the interior workings of th
3 different departments Many Of th
particulars. when learned, would be {
, interest to your readers, but must be r'
served for another letter.
At the Custom House little troubl
was experienced. there not being Ii
same necessity there for night work, an
e everything there is running as smooth
as posi- he. considering the recent Gu
ting down of the force which was rel
dered necessary by the spasmodic ecOn'
my Of the Government Sixty employs
have been discharged this month, an
the Collector states that. as result, Il
\ Government is being cheated Of ten tim
the saving thus effected, through the il
Il sufhciency Of the remaining force
>, watch the importing business.
10 Plymouth can no longer boast Of Il
:, only first class church disturbance
"A this vicinity. A darkey Methodist co
lv gregation, also located in Brooklyn.
., exerting itself strongly 70 attract
- humber share Of notice, and Is meetil
-. with encouraging success 50 far. Tn
ke sable society has pastor. who, sol
- weeks since. offended his Board Of Tru
- tees. and then deliberately seOfed
:. their cordial invitation to him 70 ST
= down and out. This naturally anger
- that august body. who determined 70
n longer follow the leadings Of their co
g tumacious shepherd but to lock :
"a church doors against him But tbey b
reckoned without their host. for I
80 preacher getting ahead Of them took p
session or the sacred edi6ce and lock
4e Il -. . a . l. -,