Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-06-01
THE STAR ROUTE SERVIOE

The public have beard for many
years Of the frauds of the Star posta
route service, and Assistant Postmas
ter General Brady has been wei
known as the authority responsible iol
them, Several years ago a Congress
sional inquiry fully exposed his rascal
tiles, but he nevertheless retained biz
plate and continued his profitable ma
nipulation during the whole Of Mr.
Hayes term, under the authority o.
Postmaster General Key, who seems
to have been chief Of bis department
only in name. 1t has not been under
stood that the Postmaster General
himself was sharer in the profits oi
the iniquitous transactions of his Sec
ond Assistant II appears that this
Assistant Postmaster General is per.
mitted to administer his office without
interference from the head of the dc,
pLrtment, the reason being that be is
held in his place by authority superior
TO his chiefs and by the influence OF
politicians who are partners in the
stealings. The Second Assistants is
the rich prize of the department, and
Brady, who has long held it, has &C,
qnired great wealth and influence, and
is the owner Of tho National RepuJH-
can, party organ published at the
Capital. 1t is not to be supposed that
ho would so long have been continued
in post which he has administered
ne'ariously, to the knowledge OF all
men, if he had not been sustained by
powerful ring Of partners lie alone
would not have been permitted to
pocket what has been stolen so brazen.
ly. Who have been his associates may
never publicly be known; for no doubt
they stand high in the Republican
councils, and Mr. Garfield is not the
man to cause their exposure His
virtue has sufliced to induce him to
cut down Brady and abAte the scanda-
lous practices of the postal administra.
tiOn. For this let us be thankful to
him and to the present Postmaster
General, whose efficient administration
ot the New York postoflice gave as.
'urance of his ability and disposition
10 abate the abuses of the higher
post which fortunately was placed in
bis charge.
Ever since the era of Postmaster
General Cresswell, the Postoflice De
lartment has been o stencil. That
,flicial is generally belived to have en-
'iched himself by this connivance in
traw bidding. The science of pecu.
alton has advanced slnco his day, and
lnder Brady the chief source of profit
las been found in changing the terms
# contracts, after they had been let at
uinous rates TO ring contractors, un.
Ter the pretenso of necessity for an
increased number of trips, and for
reater speed these requirements be.
ng accompanied with a greatly dis
roportionate increase of the contract ,
rice. Notwithstanding the notoriety
I this abuse especially in certain
outos in the West, known as the Star
outes, Congress has never found a ,
ray to put stop to it. No law could {
G passed which a dishonest official |
'ould not find way TO evade. 1t was
OF possible for the Assistant Post.
laster General to permit the Govern.
tent to be robbed without exposing
imself to criminal indictment for col.
lsion in the act and Brady has had !
risk the penitentiary in doing his
'ork. Doubtless he thought the risk !
ight in view of the good company
lat he bad with him in his boat and q
robably be was right We do not ?
Spect that he will be punished or !
zen made to disgorgO, He goes out Il
office disgraced; but as he has staid v
it under the same opprobrium, prob. d
'ly the Only additional pang he now v
ffers is in the loss Of the revenue 1
at he can no longer tlch.-Laacas. Il
r JDfelIfgoncer h