Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-03-24
THE POST OFFICE PATRONAGE.

1t is beginning to leak out how Iaat-
ters are to be managed in the Office Of
cur new Postmaster General, and the
power of the new recruit is to be like
diferential in mathematics smaller
than any assignable quantity.
First, Mr.. Postmaster General Key
is to have Mr.. Assistant Postmaster
General Tyner, placed under him to
rule over him; we were at first in
formed that the Assistant Postmaster
was to have all the appointments under
81 900 a year, and the Postmaster all
those above that value.
Then came the statement that the
Assistant Postmaster, was to have all
the patronage North and the Post
master was to be consulted about the
patronage South, and, in accordance
with this, the appointment of two Ten
nessee Democrats in Tennessee was an
nounced as Deputy marshalls, and
great was the stir among small politi-
clans who were eager to serve their
country. But alas
o dream TOO briefly fading,
the Senate adjourned and these two
were, for reasons not stated, unconirm-
ed; then came out the Postmaster-Gen-
erals own declaration in answer to
Senator Merrimon, and the bright Wis
ion vanished in darkness; we print it
as it comes from Washington:
WASHINGTON March 19.--PostmasterG GEN
eral Key, in reply to letter of Senator
Merrimon, asking for information relative
to the distribution of patronage South,
says: Il will endeavor to explain the situ-
| alton as clearly and as briefly as possible.
! When vacancy exists in any office con-
| nected with this department in the South
/ ern States, preference will be given to the
Z Republican, all other things being equal;
1 but should il be impossible 10 lind a Repub-
/ lican who will be satisfactory to a large ma
! jority OF the people whose business is di-
/ rectly affected by the appointment, or in
4 case of contest for office, then i shall not
/ hesitate to step aside and select person
who, in my judgment, will give SatiSfac-
/ ton to the business interests of the COM
munity. While shall always be glad to
receive advice of Senators and Representa-
! tives in Congress touching matters of this
/ Kind, yet shall not consider myself as in
.
/ to do the greatest good to the greatest num-
/ Der, and to this end shall always be glad
| to have your cooperation. 1 very much
regret did not see you, and shall be glad
| to do so at any time"
Even so, Amen it suits US much
better than it would to see the Post
Office patronage used as fund for
bribing week-kneed Democrats.
But how does Hon. Key like it ,?
We should suppose it rather humili-
ating position for him; but that is his
business, and if his salary compensates
him for all humiliations we have
no word to say against it; only how this
is to serve towards breaking up the
Democratic party and reviving the old
Wing party is, as Dundreary says,
what mo fellow can understand" but
that again is the concern of Hon.
David McKendree Key Postmaster
/ General.
1t should be mentioned that Tyner,
the real postmaster, is a special prote-
gee of Morton's; who can doubt that
the patronage of the Post Office depart
ment in Indiana will be made subser-
Went to his reelection in 1879?