National Republican., 1881-08-10
Mr.. James's Policy.


Mr.. James's Policy.
A statement has been put forth to the
effect that Postmaster-G General James has
made n retrenchment in the cost of the
mail service to very large amount
morethan million of dollars, we believe.
This statement is made so as to convey
the impression that this sum was either
being squandered or stolen under the
iniquitous star system. The clear pur-
pose is to create the belief that this large
sum has already been saved to the Treas
ury, and that the postal service has not
been curtailed to the detriment of the
people anywhere. This may serve pur-
pose, but it is not honest.
If this be true, then these half dozen
Postmasters-General, with numberless
subordinates, ought to be in the peniten-
tiary. For what Mr.. James has undone
they not only sanctioned but deliberately
perpetrated. The idea which is intended
to be conveyed is that General Brady is
the sa.e guilty individual, and that Mr..
James has simply been ferreting ont and
shutting Il his ini4uiious work.
About the only part of the statement
flr The gluiifcaiioa Of our present Post
mHster-GeDeral that il true Is that the
United S4ates mail service has been cur.
tuiled 80 As 10 make the cost less than
formerly 10y Just the sum named. Whether
OF MOI This has been wisely done is quite
another question. II the idea is to make
the sum as great rs possible, then Mr.
James is deserving of little credit
for what he has done, for he
might just as well have made the sum
three times as great. We will concede
for the argument that Mr.. James
has acted according 10 his best judgment.
We will cOnCede also that in some in
stances the curtailment was iudicious
and in the interest of economy, and
perhaps honesty, though that may,
after all, prove 10 be matter of opinion.
The whole thing is q matter of opinion,
and it may turn out that Mr.. james has
greatly erred. A million Of people may
differ from him-probably us many
as that do. Where, then, is the
special credit due TO Mr.. James
1t was in the exercise of their best iudg-
ment by score or so officials preceding
him that they provided for the service
which Mr.. james thinks is unnecessary
and u useless expense. 1t is a difference
Of opinion solely, and there is no warrant
for saying that Mr.. James is whit wiser
or more honest than the officials with
whom he differs.
A great many very honest and saga
cious persons are of the opinion that the
mails should frequently be sent where
service costs more than the receipts
amount to. They point to the fact that
nearly all, if not absolutely every mail
route in existence, was at one time non.
paying Certainly this is the fact as to
the new States and the frontier regions
1t is TO be observed that they who hold
most strenuously to the doctrine that the
true policy of the Department is to have
the postman keep step with the settler
know the country well, and they
are able to point to tho fact that
mails are important adjuncts to the set
tlement Of the country. These opinions
are universally entertained by those
whose experience qualities them to judge.
How much experience of the kind Mr.
James has had We will not undertake tu
say 1t Is understood that his ideas were
formed while he Tas postmaster in New
York city, when, we believe, lie distin'
guishGd himself somewhat in giving free
delivery to the people-an cminently
non-paying service, 1t has been sug
gestcd, not inaptly, some persons will
contend, that just there would be good
place TO enforce his sself.sustaining policy
We applaud economy. Mr.. James's no.
tions of economy, however, appear to be
after the fashion of The prudent farmer
who was opposed to hogs because it cos
SD much to raise pigs. Furthermore, We
object most decidedly to the suggestion
covcrtly yet industriously mculcated L
win applause for Mr., James, that thost
who condemn his policy presumably arC
rascals, and should be indicted for benz
engaged in conspiracy TO dciraud thu
Government
WILL the Posi- please examine Major
Daniels vote in the Virginia Legislature
Oh the appropriation of the pubic-schoo
fund forthe payment Of the interest on
State bonds2
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GENERAL GRANT has accepted an invi'