Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-11-19
SATU RDAY PRESS.
THE POST.OFFICE.
NOTEMBER lp. lssI.

We have before had occasion to refer to the
post-oiice, aud the return Of His Majesty,
after several months absence, affords all oppor-
tuuity to again speak Of ii, with the hope that
some steps may be taken to place its manage
nett on more satisfactory footing During
his foreign tour, he must have observed the
admirable postal system Of Europe, but more
particularly that of England, where every
methodrb adopted that experience can sug-
gest, to make the delivery Of all mail matter
prompt and sure. The London post-otiice is
marvel Of ingenuity, continued for the rapid
handling Of the immense quantities OF mail
matter that continually flow through it, to be
Immediately examined, classed, and forwarded
without delay to every part of that immense
empire and of the world. When the Glad
stone administration took office, Mr. Fawcett
was appointed Postmaster General, not so
much because he was prominent statesman,
as because he possessed in u striking degree
tue qualifications that fitted him for this serv-
ice. And the result has shown the wisdom
OF the selection, for his administration has
resulted in vastly ausmening its efficiency
and usefulness. us well as its revenue The
British post Office is now the best managed in
world, rs it also produces the largest surplus
revenue.
When the late President Garfield assumed
office, he selected for the heud OF tile postal
department man who had long experience in
the service, aud who had proved his fitness
for tue place by making tue New York post
off Inl 6. a.. l..
despatch and system which govern it, till the
name Of Col. James has become Synonymous
with postal executive ability. Aud with such
earnestness did lie carry his reforms into the
national administration, that in very short
period the g Star route mail frauds were un-
earthed, those eLgnged in them dismissed,
| and the expenses of the department so greatly
reduced. that there is now every prospect that
the United States post-ofice will soon show :,
surplus revenue for the first time in the his
tory of the government. These instances show
that in Eng land and America the men best
fitted for the service are named for it, and
young Hawaii can find no better examples to
follow than these nations
Let us now turn to our own post office
For months there have been frequent COM
plants about the irregularity of the mails,
resulting in the miscarriage OF loss of letters
snd papers, sometimes involving pecumary
loss, sometimes detention i'll business but
always annoying. Latterly these irregulari-
ties have increased, till now, scarcely a week
passes, but we hear of CORES spoudence stray
ing from lis course, causing delays in filling
orders and meeting business engagements
These things should not be so. The people
have the right to demand that the public
nails designed to be the surest and speediest
conveyance, shall promptly perform the work
entrusted to them, and hot be the cause of
repeated losses, in some cases heavy and ire
parable. If this state of things is allowed to
continue, the public will soon lose confidence
in the post-utfice.
The mail service was originally established
in England and Europe chiefly to serve the
commercial aud industrial interests, which con-
tribute largely TO the government support, all
other interests being secondary 10 these. Such
being the case, those placed in charge of il
should command the full support aud conf
dencc of the business men Of the country ar
at least their interests and wishes should be
consulted, aud not ignored, in the appointment
, The position is tne that requires first-cIass
| executive ability, not only TO supervise and
carry out details. but to devise and adopt any
improvements calculated to render the mail
service more perfect
The posi-offce. more than any other bureau
OF the government is progressive i,stfaiiDn,
and improvements in tic method Of conduct,
ing II are being constantly introduced, render.
ing it more Convenient aud serviceablc; and
II should be the same here. The Postmaster
General, if alive to the duties required of him,
will watch every change in tho postal system.
abroad, and strive tn make ours equally p.r
feet aud reliable. There is room for improve
nient, and as soon as we join tho Postal Union
these improvements should at once be adopted.
II change is made. it oagh, to be made at
once, aud bsfore entering the onion. as many
OF tho details Of that service are different from
what are now in use hero.
What We have said Expresses tho candid
views Of the business men OF tho Kingdom,
who desire 10 see the post Office more efici-
entity managed, knowing that their interests
are identical with those of the government.
We have no prejudice against the present |
lncnmbent, who is worthy lnan, but we say
distinctly tina, he lacks the thorough business
irsining and application required ia one quail |
fed TO conduct the mail service, SO that II
shall steadily improve from year 10 wear.
Instead Of deseneraiiug into public scandal |
aud by-wori.
EDITORIAL HYSTERIA.