New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-17
nnnrr4p P0STAL CHANGES.

Tho National LEGISLATORS who are soon TO re-
oa.anhie in Washington will be in serious
u,ood The results Of the elections nave
tended to promote deliberate renection upon
the transitions of public opinion ana the per
sonal RESPONSIBILITIES of political leaders ITO
neoplc have been so intent upon cohueuin'ns
IA. miscellaneous Intervention Of the fcderh
Administration in State politics and the arIo-
rance and ef1rontery of the bosses that only 'e.'
and there has an inefficient OF dlsrepuIao'e
member of Congress been emphaucahy io-
linked. The present attitude OF the CONSTITUENT
cias however. is a standing menace to the leg
isl.tor:s peace of mind. He KNOWS that their
accounting with him has only been deferred
for a season. and that unless public indignation
lanses sueedily into Indifference, he cannot he
too jealous in representing taithliliy the po'l"-
zeal convictions of his constituency ana IN eVihc-
ing his usefulness and efficiency III pracIicai
legislation If the members OF our NATIONAL
Parliament face tho responsibilities OF puohc
eervice in the same critical and serious spirit
with which the people have exercised the prl-
mary rights of citizenship during the last two
months. there will be few barren debates, and
many practical measures of the highest utility
will be added to the statute-bOOks
There is one class of Legislation which can be
safely commended to the consideration of MEM
beers who are anxious to promote the public
welfars. The department of the National Ad-
ministIation with which the public is brought
into the closest relations is the Post Office, and
any series of reforms or any single improve
ment in the postal service will excite popular
int rest NJ Cookery, in France, has shown
such marked administrative capacity that he
has retained the portfolio of Posts and Tele-
graphs in several successive Ministries. He
has made national reputation as depart
ment officer whose services cannot be dis
prnsed with on political grounds. Post
master General Fawcett, i'll England, has in
troduced so many measures OF practical utility
that he has won tie respect of both political
parties as an original and sagacous Minister. Ii
the malevolence of faction politics had not given
Guiteau an opportunity for crime, Mr.. James
would undoubtedly have outrivalled either of
these Ministers in administrative influence and
popular regard. This is subject in which the
public is invariably interested, and conse-
ouently it may be proftably studied by legis-
lalors who are anxious to add to their popu-
larty. Mr.. Fawcett's scheme OF Post Office Saw
ings Banks has been so thoroughly understood
and appreciated by the mass of the people in
England and Wales that one cut of every
eleven OF the entire population has become a
depositOr, and the gross deposits in the United
Kingdom already exceed 1871, 100000. In
France the system has also been introduced
with extraordinary success 1t would be most
Interesting experiment if it could be made in
the United States on large scale, and it de-
serve, a more critical examination than it has
vet eceiyed in Congress. Abroad, it is one of
the.easiest ways of promoting habits OF thrift
among the lower classes, and it may have the
same tendency here, This IL only one of many
branches of subject in which our legislato rs
ga, interest themselves with q reasonable as
surouce That their zeal will be appreciated by
the public.
W bocyer il instrumental in lowering the rates
of postage will obtain immediate recognition as
a useful ser, ant of tie people. The subject Of
cheap postage has already received attention
from the present Congress, and tho discussion
ought to he resumed ut an early stage oil the
approaching session. There Is pnblic de
maud not only for cheap postage but Tor
cheap money orders What is known as the
sample trade" has acquired great bulk in every
large city. Samples are sent to customers, es-
pecially in the retail dry goods trade, and Or
ders are returned with remittances; and as
the purchaser generally finds it "a incOnve-
nient to go to the Post Office Tor money order as
to the store Tor the gOods the remittances are
uniformly made in cash. Book and uewsua-