The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-06-05

The United States postal commission,
which Il now on visit to Charlotte,
North Carolina, was accompanied to
that town BY Postmaster General Key.
Alta reception given 10 the commission
on May 10Th, Mr. Key made the follow
ing speech:
My FRIENDs-The position l occupy
Is an anomalous one. Ten months ago
TO the best OF my ability / was canvass
ing in Tennessee, urging the election OF
samuel j. lilden TO the presidency OF
the United States, and now find myself,
to my own surprise. and have no doubt
to yours also, n confidential officer and
member Of the cabinet OF Rutherford b.
Hayes. Bui, rs previous TO that
election ana u, sei Democrat
SIN, and yef. on readily understand,
tbeIefOre. rSts Z, rpr Srnsatwfi epsA
Darr1ssin. ~ - III. rosi- Yin
pollica, point u view. When the pro-
position was made 10 me--when | was
requested 10 become member Of Mr..
Hayes cabinet, my inclination was to de-
cline il, and have no doubt great
many OF the people OF the South thought
would do so. A very short reflection,
however, brought me TO different con-
clusion. thought when the president
Of the United States extended his hand
to the people. Of the South through
me it was my duty TO receive that hand,
lest millions OF the South might be suf.
terers, whereas II made mistake there
would be no sufferer but myself and as
announced at the time, as is well known
throughout the whole country
accepted the position in the
cabinet OF The president Of the
United States with the simple intention
OF assisting the people Of the south II
could to regain some of the gound that
they have lost during the last iew years.
The president required no pledge or
promise OF me; | went into his cabinet
without any Instructions and as indie
pendent as any member oiit, and was re-
ceivcd into his secret councils. and would
have been in his council to-day had l
been in Washington City. This was
most extraordinary confidence on the
part Of the administration, and one which
never will betray. This position Is Of
course embarrassing yet it Is my duty
10 assist in supporting and building up
the administration, if can, rather than
seek 10 destroy II. As the president
says, take it that there is 10 difference
whether a man i Republican or Dem
ocrat, "he serves his party best who
serves his country best
This is not my trip. The postal com
mission has already made one trip. me
chairman, who has just addressed you,
asked me 10 accompany them. lie tolu
the that lie had discovered that the mail
service in the Southern states was very
detective, and stood in great need OF i'm
proyemcnt. was glad 10 accept the IN.
vitation to come aud see these things tor
myself and the people Of the South, ana
become satisfied Of the wants IN this
branch OF the public service. The gentle.
man who preceded me thinks this has
been due greatly to the fault OF the
North. Think it is not altogether so,
and yet 90 not blame the South. De-
feated rs we were In the late contest, the
South felt some mOdesty in making de-
mands on the general government.
After lapse OF twelve years 1t becomes
our duty TO buildup our waste places
and make our fields blossom as the rose.
and it is the duty Of the people OF the
South. as members OF this great union.
10 Ctemand Of the government Their share
of the benefits OF the government.
These Yankees are a wonderful people.
One Of the gentlemen has told you how
| they get appropriations from the govern
mcnt how they have gone into the
northwest and established these post
| routes. how they make the stage driver
| a postmaster at one point and the hostler
at another. Every route they 50 procure
| leads to an APPROPRIATION of money.
| Each extension Of these routes innure TO
| the benefit of the people upon them. we
cannot have the perfect service OF the
north and the northwest. because COM
mercc patronizcS their routes, and they
| have smoother and better roads. They
can afford 10 make better time. Our
lines. like the balance of the Southern
world are having hard time. The great
thing the South needs is what is called
| the "star service route, extend
ing not by railroads and steam
boats. but from cross road to cross road
to the people of the country. The law
declares railroads and navigable streams
to be post rOuts; but this "slow service
these horse routes that intersect our coun-
try are established by acts of congress,
and it is for the people OF this community
to tell the commission what route you
want established. 1t Is your duty, in
other words, to do this. The commits
sion will then lay the matter before con-
gress, and then it is the work of your
congressman to get the appropriation
granted. Don't give them any rest until
they get the bill through. That is what
they are there for. to carry out the de-
sires of their constituents. The commits
sion will recommend that you get your
rightiul share, no more and no less.
But find, my friends, and must beg
j NJ L a,riirI.iIanr Tho EDnn Of