The Portland daily press., 1884-01-25

a
given Judge Goddard testimonials that his
personal integrity was not questioned by the
administration. Concerning the efficiency
or wisdom of bis performance of his duties
we have never undertaken TO express an
opinion for the reason that it was quite I'M
possible for us, or for any citizen having no
Official relations with the Post Office,
to have such knowledge of the matter as
would warrant the expression of judgment.
so far as the relations Of the post Office with
those who send and receive letters through
it are concerned, if there have been COM
plants they have not come to our knowl-
edge. In these matters the public have been
well served for aught thas we know; and the
long list of citizens who favored the reten-
ton of Judge Goddard because they had no
occasion for dissatisfaction, and because
they respected him personally, makes tes
timonial with which he has reason to be
gratifed.
1t Is well known, however, that the office
has been under investigation, and it is cur
rently reported, and, as we believe, on reput-
able authority, that the Postmaster-General
was dissatisfied with some of the features
and conditions of the postmaster's admins
tration. We take it for granted that if this
had not been the case Judge Goddard would
have been successful in his strongly support
cd petition for reappointment. There has
been long consideration of the matters in
issue, affordng ample time for full investi-
gatisn and for full hearing. There is no
occasion to suppose that the Postmaster
General has not treated Postmaster Goddard
with entire fairness, because he has not been
convinced that it was best to recommend his
continuance in Office There is no ground
that we know of for doubling that the Post
master-General came TO his conclusion not
to recommend the reappointment of Mr..
Goddard for reasons that had to do solely
with the interests of the service, as he re-
garded his duty. 1t is natural al such
time that the friends of disappointed can
didate should feel sore, and they are liable
to be unjustly suspicious thst other reasons
than the true ones were controlling. But
the integrity of Judge Gresham's action
ought not to be assailed on eG parte repre-
sensations and in ignorance of the facts upon
which it was based
When the Postmaster General had decid-
ed that he would not recommend the reap
pointment of Judge Goddard, it was an
open question who should be selected. There
were three other candidates, Mr.. Barker,
whose appointment was asked for by a very
large body of merchants, politicians and
professional men; Mr.. Gerrish, whose petit
ton was supported by a smaller number
OF citizens, although many of them were
gentlemen of influence; and Mr.. Knowlton.
wko had, we believe, no generally signed APP
plication, but in behalf of whom some of
the prominent politicians in the State
had written letters to the President or Post
master-General. There is no question, we
suppose, of the high character and entire
competency of either of these gentle
men, and if the choice had fallen upon
either of the two not selected we
presume it would have been acquiesced
in with good grace. Mr.. Barker appeared
to be the choice of a larger number
OF the citizens, representing important
business interests, than the others. 1t is no
disparagement Of the character or the quail
ifcations of the others that, under these cir
cumstanees, the Postmaster General and
the Congressman from this district recon-
mended the appointment of Mr.. Barker to
the President
1t is reported however, and we presume it
is true, that the petition of Judge Goddard,
who had already personally presented his
case to the President. was submitted at the
same time, and that the decision between
these two was made by him after review
of the whole matter.
Judge Goddard will retire from his long
service conscious of having been supported
to the last by a large body Of citizens whose
support and friendship is solace. Few
have had larger share of the honorable
and profitable rewards that come to polite
ians. While the circums tances of his relin-
punishment of office are not perhaps such as
he would have them, he is man of SO much
native good sense and so wide an experience
of affairs. that he must know that men with.
equally good motives and equally honorable
intentions will disagree as to the wisdom or
unwisdom of particular acts. If his con-
science and judgment are clear as to his
performance of duty, and no imputation
upon his honor is made, it onght not to
rankle in his mind that somebody else has
different opinion. Nothing that has &C.
Cured in this regard will materially affect
the estimation in which he is held by his
political associates and personal friends If
they are alienated 1t will be for other causes
not yet apparent.
Mr.. Barker has his career as public Of
ficer before him. He will begin it with such
assurances of confidence and favor as will
be high incentive to fidelity and earn
est endeavor. There is reason to expect
that he will make an efficient and accepta-
BILE Postmaster.