Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-03-22
Policy in Regard to Postmaster Patron
age.

w ASHINGTON. March IS.-The fol-
lowing correspondence between Senator
Merrimon, Of North Carolina, and Post
master General Key, will be Of particu-
lar interest. as it sets forth officially the
policy which will be pursued in refer
ence to the distribution of the immense
patronage Of the Postoffice Department
in the South:
United States Senate Chamber, FasA-
iagton. March IS. 1977-Hon. D. NJ.
Key, Postmaster General-Sir: I have
repeatedly endeavored to have a per-
sonal interview with you. mainly for
the purpose Of learning whether persons
of the democratic party may expect a
share at all in filing the offices and
places connected with the Postoffice
Department Of the governmental
have not been fortunate enough to OBJ
tain such interview, and now, in the in
terest Of the people of the State 1 in
part represent, l respectfully request
you to inform me:
First. Whether such persons may
expect office or place by your appoint
ment; and secondly, whether Senators
and members Of the House Of Repre-
sentatiyes shall be recognized or heard
in making recommendations Of persons
to be appointed to Office or place. An
impression seems to prevail among the
people that in filling the offices, parti-
cularly in the Postof1ice Department
and the postal service, the present adj
ministration Will ignore political party
distinctions. If this Is so the admins
tration ought to make a candid avowal
Of it. A frank understanding on this
subject will relieve me, and perhaps
others, from some embarrassment and
much annoyance. I am constantly i'm
portuned to recommend persons for
office and place. 1t IS idle to do so if
such recommendations are to be gener-
ally disregarded. I do not wish to an
noy you with fruitless requests.
Il do not mean to imply that it is
proper Or wise that members of Con-
gross should recommend persons for
office. l think it unWise, but without
reference to whether it is right or
wrong, we know that the practice has
prevailed in the government for long
while, will thank you for an carly re-
plv. I am your obedient servant,
a. 5. MERRIMoN.
''POsToFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Washington. D. c. March Il,
1S77.-My Dear Sir: Your favor of the
18th inst. reached me in due course,
but l have been so pressed with business
that until now I have been unable to
find time to reply to your inquiries.
Il will eEdeayor to explain the
situation as clearly and briefly as
possible. When a vacancy exists in
any Office connected with this depart
ment in the Southern States preference
will be given to republican, all other
things being equal. But should it be
impossible to a large majority of the
people, whose business is directly affec-
ted by the appointment, or in case of
contest over the office, then I shall not
hesitate to step aside and select a per-
son who in nay Judgment will give salts
faction to the business interests of the
community.
"While I shall always be glad to
receive the advice of Senators and
Representatives, in Congress, touching
matters of this kind, yeti shall not
consider myself as in any way bound to
act upon it. My desire is to do the
greatest good to the greatest number,
and to this end [ shall always be glad
to have your cooperation. I very
much regret that did not see you, and
shall be glad to do so at any time. Very
truly yours, D. NJ. KEY, Postmaster
General"
Hon. A. S. Merrimon, United
States Senate"