Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-06-25

since the foundation Of political parties"
That accounts for about all the scan
dals which have surrounded the service.
do not speak OF the matter ia a partisan
sense. In this particular there has been
no ground for discrimination. | think
this a good time to begin to break up
this notion that the postmasterships are
the peculiar property of the politicians
and that everything must be subservient
to their convenience and purposes. /
believe, of course, that the offices, as
rule, should be given to persons in ac
cord with the views of the administra-
ton. But there should be some discri-
mination exercised so as to secure the
person who is most satisfactory TO the
majority OF the community in which the
office is situated. Instances have oc-
Cured in which an entire community
supported one man and the member of
Congress insisted on another and gained
his point. This, | think, is wrong and
will not occur with my knowledge and
consent while | have anything to say"
you will have difficulty in making
politicians think so.
1.-THE President is determined TO raise
the public service to higher standard
than it has ever reachad. | think his
course thus far will sustain that high
purpose. a few lapses which have &C.
CURED were not his fault, and his noble
ness of purpose was fully indicated in
the summary manner in which he cor
rected the matter. | believe it is now
very generally. understood that the Post
office Department is now being managed
for the benefit of the people.
1T is reported that you intend to ig-
more the recommendations of members OF
Congress"
well, that is stating the fact too
broadly. 1t is presumable that the Rep
resentative of district is interested IN
its welfare; therefore he should naturally
seek to consult the wishes of his constit-
uents The cooperation of the Repre-
sentative of district, if in accord with
the views of the administration, al
things being equal, will have weight IL
the selection of postmaster, but his
support will not be regarded as of neces-
sity paramount TO all other influences
and considerations. 1t has too often
happened that the department has beer
imposed upon from the very source from
which il had right to expect the mos
| valuable aid. If the department fails K
secure the best man in community i
will not be for want of proper judgment
according to the sources OF Information
at command.
The most significant indication tina
| the Postmaster-General means what h
says and proposes to treas Representa-
tives and people alike is instanced IN tn
| fact that an order has been issuet
through the office of the Postmaster
General to the clerks in charge of tn
| Il. mt
postoffices in the different States, prohib
| iting their examination by members o
| Congress or anyone else, under penalty o
| immediate dismissal. Under the lat
and former administration Representa-
tive of Congress, without the knowledg
of the Postmaster General or his Eirs
Assistant, was privileged, by virtue o
his position, to go to the clerk IN charg
and examine all the papers in the cas-
of any postmastership he might call foI
In this manner he became acquainte,
with the names of candidates other tina
his own, and their supporters, and wit
this information was In position to thwaT
the purposes of the community and tn
selection of probably better man tina
his own henchman.
A Representative, if he wishes any in
formation, is now required to go to tn
First Assistant Postmaster General an
state specifically what he desires to knol
and that officer then determines whethe
to comply at all or to what extent he ma
see the papers which are brought to hi
Office This is one of the most importan
and beneficial reforms adopted in tn
conduct of business in the department
When a member of Congress begins t
discover that he is the servant and 10
the sovereign of the people he begins t
strike his level. The Postmaster Gen
eral has contributed largely to the bring
ing about Of this result.