National Republican., 1881-07-08
THE PosT-oFFrcE DEPARTMENT.
Reorganization of the ChIer clerks or
ace-Importnut ChnnNes mnde.

Among the changes that have taken
place In tho Post ONCE Department none has
boen more important than the reorganization Of
the chief clerks office. Formerly the chief clerk
although appointed as chief clerk of tho entire
Department, was actually so only in title, the work
properly belonging to the Office being distributed
around in the various divisions, so that he had
comparatively little to do other than to sign GER
tain letters and ax his initials TO those signed by
the Postmaster General. When Mr.. J. H. Van
wormer was detailed 10 act as chief clerk the first
thing he did was TO cndeavor to familiarize him.
self with the details OF every division and every
branch in the entire Department. The examina-
ton Of the
COMMITTEE oN EEoRGANfzATfoN
ofwhich be was n member of course greatly aided
him In acquiring Information, and now that that
committee has concluded its labors he feels that he
has at least general knowledge of the duties Of
every bureau and division The reorganization
took effect on tho list instant, at which time MrVan
Wormcr received his appointment as chief clerk
and assumed the full responsibilities Of the Office
one oftho most important changes has been the
transfer to The chief clerks Office OF the blank
division, which was formerly attached to the Office
OF the first Assistant Postmaster General
As all the blanks for the ontiro
Department come under this division
and all the printing of them, involving an cxpen.
dituro OF say Sl5O000 per annuU, II was thought
that this important branch should be undor the
direct supervision Of the Chicfclerk The Supcrin-
tandent OF repairs aud the disbursug clerk with
their respective forces Of clerks and employees.
aro now under the control of the chief clerk. and
tho same action has been taken in regard to the
typographical branch. This last named division
is growing In Importance. and the expenditure for
It's purposes amounts 10 about $4,000 year. The
most decided indication ofthe
CoNCENTRATioS or POWER
IN the chief clerks office however is the attach
ing directly 10 II the appointment division, So that
now the appointments all pnss his Official scrutiny
The Department mail Is also now taken to the
chief clerks office. and after being bricfad and re.
corded Is referred direct 10 the hHrcnu or division
where action shOHldhc taken Mr. Van wormer
has also Commenced the classification aud or.
rangcmcnt Of the record files OF tho office. which
were found In some disorder and the work Is pro.
crossing rapidly II iS believed that In all the
changes mentioned the business Of the Depart
meut will I've greatly facilitated. and that instead
Ofis taking two days to get letter out Of q div
sion, as was formerly hcCnsc II will lnowgo direct
to the chief clerk and be Immediately dispatched
The selection and arrangement Of the rooms 10 be
lnycd by the sad occurrence Of last saturday hui
determination will be soon reached, and every
thing will 20 along smoothly. The clerks who
Will be Immediately about MI Van WOrmer will
be Mr.. +. n Bassett, stcnographcr to the Postmas.
ter-Goneral; DR.. w. B. Brown, Moses Bradshaw
and possibly one or two others not yet selected.