New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-27
THE ATTACH ON TIE POST OFFICE.


DIGNITY OF DEPARTMENT oFrIcIALs-THE
MONEY TO BE DISTRIBUTED WHERE 1T WILL DO
THE MOST GOOD POLITICALLY.
The report on the workings of the New-fork Post
Office recently made by Examiners Stewart, Adsi,
and Clifford to First Assistant Postmaster-deneral
Hatton continues to be the subject OF comment
among those who interested IN POST once
affairs. Postmaster Pearson refused Yesterday 10
talk the subject, and his chief were
likewise reticent Many Interesting 1acts
were, however, gathered from persons who
have had knowledge OF the past management OF the
New-York office. The report of the examiners
praises most highly the efficiency OF the present al
innstration of the office, and commends the meth
DDS now In use The inspectors when IN tins city
expressed to TRIBUNE reporter the opinion that
the New-York Post Office WAS " the most efficient
and best-managed in the country so far as they
knew hey however recommended tine abolition
of certain subordinate offices, and reduction OF the
sa aries paid to the heads OF departments.
The most important office which 1t IS proposed to
abolish is that of Superintendent OF Branch sta
tiOus, and il Is interesting TO note That That posi-
ton was created under General Grants Presidency
ON the urgent representation of Chester A. Arthur
whose friend William Have, was the first person
appointed. The subordinates of the Post Office
Department do not see the need OF tne
office which a few years. ago deemed
so essential by the present head of the
executive branch of the Government. Anthony
Yeomans, the present superintendent of stations,
has been nearly thirty years i'll the postal service
The postal regulations require that the stations
shall be frequently visited and the work of the car
tested. The postmaster cannot perform tHc-c
duties himself and the SUPERINTENDENT IS made re-
sponsiblc for their performance. tie Is constantly
and arouously employed. The salary attached to
the nositlun rs 81 900. There ore fourteen branch
stations 20 be frequently visited. The
other members of the POstnaSters inmed
ate staff having charge OF departments
so receive "a 600 each. They are Lew Biakesec,
the auditor John Richards, superintendent OF cty
delivery; ". III. Waring, superintendent OF mall
ing and distribution; w. Russell, superintendent
of the registry department; and George Louns-
berry cashier. They have been from eight to
eighteen years II the service, and are all OF
them regarded as active and elhclent. inc
examiners propose reduction III the sala-
rles OF these officials. 1 heir salaries were
fixed soon after Colonel james took charge OF
the office and have not since been changed. In
spectors acting under orders lrO caCh OF Tue IOst-
MASTER GENERALS from the time of A. }. Creswei,
have examined the office, ana the salaries have al
WAYS been approved. The reason gwen Tor the
sudden desire Tor economy is that Mr. liaJtOn Is
paid for ms services Assistant Postmaster-t'en-
eraI at the rate Of 50 900 year, ana he does not
relish the idea that suOordlnates at local ONCE
however long they may have been IN the
service, or however Important their duties
should receive higher compensation than
himself. The abolition OF two other Offices deemed
necessary by the Postmaster is also recommended.
The examiners who have just reported to MI.
hatton have not tbenselve been familiar with the
practical working OF large post Offices. One Of
them was for many years a posi- o1ice Inspector;
another has been Tor year clerk at a low salaIy
in the Office OF the First Assistant Postmastcr-en
ersl ana the third, alter being a postmaster III
small town III ILLINOIS. ObtalLed an appointment
Jew wears ago in the Sixth Auditors Office III " ash
ington. IL noted that while visiting
the Post Office in this city they asked
for few suggestions from those most familiar with
the needs OF the Post Office, and their recommends
tons made without consultation with The Post
master.
with the service that the proposed reductions were
made on account OF the personal hostility OF the
First Assistant Postmaster-General toward the
Nsw-York Office. One Of Mr.. Hatton's cx-
ouliners spoke of the office IN TINS city
times past. An order was issued several weeks
ago when was thong ht at tue time To be designed
to emDauass Postmaster Pearson. or Pearson ana
ms predecessor, Co,oncl James, had been III tine
habit OF loOAIng over the letters that were deposited
with insufficient postage, ana where the address
MADE it apparent mat the communication
mI,1bt be Important the envelope was sent
to the address Indicated, at the private eX-
pense of the POSTMASTER, with notice attached
requesting repayment. Mr. uattOhs ORDER
tornado this practice, which had Ocen of much con
venience TO business men for whom letters had acct
deutally been posted wltn an Insufficient amount
O, stamps BY the method which is now rendered
compulsJry Ine person 10 whom the lettcr Is ad
dressed must be informed of It's detention. and the
amount OF postage scot back to the Office where the
lstter WAS deposited, before IT. can he forwarded.
In some cases. much complaint Is made at these de-
Laws of important COMMUNICATIONS and the Post
master receives the Dlalne. - 80
The amonnt allowed the Post Office Department
this wear clerk hire Is over 300, OOO and
II is sa that the distribution OF this large amount
viii show how s.rong is Mr.. Hattons interest in
N htcs About three-Iiiths of the appropriation Is
given to the small post offices iii country dis
frIcts where the positions often en-
devote a small portion their time
Ia the discharge of their official duIcs aud are
usually engaged i'll other occupations. The New
York Office according to the Igurcs previously pub
lished asked TINS year an extra allowance OF
SAG 900 against Si4, 800 which was available last
wear when the extra appropriation was only one
third as large The business OF the New York Office
has largely increased, but there has been only a
slight increase the appropriation for clerk hire.
1 nc amount allowed Is lttie more than half of
that thought necessary. The political influence ex-
erted by the head Of the Ne @York Office his sub
orduates is small that it has been thought better
to distribute the appropriation among the country
postmasIers, who usually keen political
workers.