New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-27
TIT: r. BRNEDIcr. J Committee.
/. u. MAYNARD.

WHAT POSIMNSTEhS WILL HAVE ~ DO
This order, for it is nothing less than an order,
requires every postmaster who receives it to make
a canvass of the voters who receive mail at
his office for the benefit Of the committee. For
example, Postmaster Pearson, Of New-YorlS, will
be required to ascertain and report the names
and political status of about 100000 voters,
and the $500 postmasters more or less, IN the
State of New-York will be compelled TO ascertain
and report to the Democratic Committee the names
and political preferences Of more than l.2OO,OoV
voters. That the performance OF the task VIII
cost immense amount Of time, labor and money
is selfevidcnt. IL must be that " Th. +. Benc-
dict and |. II. Maynard, committee" do not re,
not exact Of postmasters, in the face of section
IA of the Civil Service law, approved January
1G, 1888, which stands in these words:
Section 14-That officer clerk, or other person
in the service OF the United states shall directly OF
indirectly. gvc or hand ovor to any Other onc"r'
clerk or porson in the servico o the United states
" to any Senator or member Of tho House OF Repre-
sontat, territorial Delegate any money or other
valuable thing account Of or 10 be applied to the
promotion OF any political object whate'er
The penalty for violation Of this section is
n fine not exceeding $4,000 or imprisonment not
exceeding three years, or both fine and lmprlson.
are valuable things or Assistant Secretary
Maynard and Public Printer Benedict. would not
want them. The lists are valuable political
the way proposed will save thousands of dollars
TO the Democratic campaign treasury Doubt
less the poStmaSterS will engage in keen rivalry
to see which shall furnish the most accurate and
complete lists in the shortest time.
:" These lists are desired for the purpose OF
distributing documents and papers discussing the
political issues which now attracting public
attention" Certainly and the lists are classified
l. ray be remarlIed hy the VA way, that there IS s
oversight? or does the committee" regard the
Mugwumps well informed or densely and
hOpelesSy ignorant respecting the issues which
are now attracting public attention. TO render
II unnecessary useless 70 include them IN the
scheme of distribution 1t may be that post
masters will be expected 70 write -" AFTER tne
names of such mon ms George William Curtis,
Larry" Godiin-il be be a voter-and other Free
Traders who masqnc rade as Mugwrmps
GREAT CAUTION REQUIRED.
The committee will be obliged to exercise a
good deal of caution in the distribution of docu-
ments and papers" For example, it would not
be profitable to send copy of Cleveland's Free
Trade message to an r. or even to ID, iN-
Weed, or John Thomas Spri2gs. Mr.. Cleveiand's
proclamation Gf July. 1886, warning Office holders
NOT to il be fy b s Of 70 pfnSbUIs pSTb9e eey IN the
rural districts. The Battle Flag order VIII mol
be- useful except among " Ds' of the copper-head
variety. Copies Of the Terre Ilaute and Chicago
speeches OF Mr.. Cleveland, while not bearing dl-
rcctly on the political issues etc, Will be
harmless and afford pleasant reading. Every ID
should have a copy.
The Dark Lantern tariff bill and tho speeches
in support of 1t will have to be dealt ont with
the eXtremest caution among the ps" and PGns no;
The committee doubtless will refrain from dis
tributing copies Of Garland's Pan-Eleotric con
fcssion or Lamars opinion in the Pan-Electrc
case Copies of the Fishery Treaty may be
distributed in limited numbers only among rock
ribbed free trade Democrats who have forgotten
that William l.. Marcy was once SECRETARY or
State The report of the majority Of the Elections
Committee in the Lowry-White case will be an
unsafe docum, Mt TO place in the hands or any
natnralized citizen. whether he be D. an
Il" or an IT, It does not seem to I've nm
available document neither will Mr.. Cleveland's
message veroing the Dependent Pension bill be
found useful. Indeed, It IS rumored that he has
vetoed the proposition to distribute any OF his
pension vctoes as campaign documents.
The foregoing brief catalogue Of some OF the
more important Democratic contributions to re-
cent political literature will sufficiently indicate
the difficulties which the committees VIII en-
counter in its task, only Of selection, but
of distribution also II will be noted that the
letter Is dated February 1s four days before
the meeting of the Democratic National Com
mittrc. Mr.. Clcvclands friends took time by the
forelocll and they evidently hope 70 plant seed
in New-Yorl< and have it rpen before the del
egates TO the National Convention are chosen.
II seems to be apparent that he Is to he the
first and chief beneficiary of their scheme.