Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-22
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
Arrival Yesterday OF the Postmaster
General and Party-A Conference
with Leading Citizens Regarding
Improved M all Facilities.


As previously announced would be the
case. Hon. Thomas L. James, Postmas-
ter General, accompanied by General R. A.
Elmer, Second Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral, Col. W. B. Thompson, General Super
intendent Of the Railway Mail Service, and
others, arrived in the city yesterday morn
iug. They were taken in charge by General
Lafayette McLaws, our efficient Postmaster,
who showed them through the post office,
aud pointed out to them the various OBJ
1ects of interest to be found in the city.
A little before twelve o'clock the Post
master General and General Elmer, accom-
panied by General MeLaws and q committee
Of citizens, chiefly merchants on the Bay,
proceeded to the Exchange, where 1t had
been decided to hold conference regard
ing improvement In the mail facilities OF
the city. The party was cordially invited by
His Honor the Mayor into his private office,
aud the Postmaster General requested the
gentlemen present to state to him such sug-
gestions as they might have to make re-
garding the object sought to be accom-
plished. In response to this invitation. Mr..
William Hunter, who had been requested
70 act as spokesman on the occasion, Offered
the following:
First. he stated that frequently delays oe--
Cured in the Transmission OF the mails, and
therefore they did not arrive promptly at
the hour specified. When this occurred,
merchants had to send to the office to ascer-
tain when the mail would arrive and be
reldy for delivery. This was often a source
of considerable annoyance, and the only
remedy for it was either prompt delivery
of the mails st the office at regular hours,
or the establishment of telephone at tf e
post office, so that the business men Of the
CITY could find out from their offices when
to expect to receive their correspondence.
The Postmaster General promptly gave In
structions for the establishment OF the
needed telephone, and General Elmer stated
that the messenger service and carriage OF
the mails was under his immediate charge,
and he would give the evil complained OF
his personal attention.
Second. Il was stated that considerable
delay was frequently experienced In the
transmission of registered letters, and an
Improvement in the system was greatly dt-
sired The Postmaster General sisted, In
response to this. that he had heard similar
com laints st other points, and had already
given orders to remedy all defects Il the
system as far as lay in his power.
Third. A mail from the North which can
arrive here at as early an hour as possible
in the morning, and leave as late as possible
on the same day, is another improvement
greatly desired by our business men. The
Central Railroad have agreed to put on a
special train which will bring such a mail
into this city by at least half past ten O'Clock
each day, provided the department will
shorten the time from New York so that the
mail can arrive in Augusta at an hour suth-
GENTLY early to enable this to be done. Gen.
Elmer again replied to this suggestion,
fbo4 n tho dasfra Of the danart-
ment to give the South as rapid
q mail system as possible. he
did not know, however, what were
the relations between the department
and the Central Railroad. He would imme-
diately upon his arrival In Washington look
into the matter, and he said that any paper
transmitted to him on the subject embodv-
ing the views of our citizens would receive
careful consideration and all possible atten-
ton.
TIE insecurity and inconvenience OF the
present post office building was next brought
TO the attention OF the visitors. Postmaster
General James said that he had made q
thorough examination of the post Ollie =,
and he fully concurred in all the objections
raised against it by the gentlemen present.
He said he regarded 1t as disgrace to a
city of the business importance OF Savan-
nah. Under existing Circumstances, however,
Q0Lnlng could De QODt. Inc u6PdItueul
had leased the present Office for ten years, at
s., 500 a year. and this lease would not ex-
pre- for three years. II the citizens would
exert themselves TO relieve the government
from this lease, every effort would be made
10 give the city more commodtous and
convenient Office. the department would
at any time heartily cooperate with the
citizens in any efforts they might make In
this direction.
This ended the conference, and Mr.. Hunter
then expressed great regret that The visitors
made their stay so short, as 1t 2 uld give
the business men great pleasCri 10 meet
them, extend them some courtesies,
and give them a specimen of S4yannah's
hospitality. Mr.. James thanked him, and
expressed the hope that at some future time
they might return and pay longer visit.
At this time, however, engagements further
South pressed on them, and IL was necessary
for them 10 take their speedy departure
for Jacksonville. The conference was an
exceedingly pleasant one on both sides
and the visiting officials, by their uniform
courtesy of bearing, pleasant manners and
evident desire to do everything in thetl
power to advance the interests OF the city
made a most favorable impression upon al
present-sn impression which we believe
was heartily reciprocated.