New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-06
PosToFFrCE AND CUSTOM HOUSE.

The appointment of Cornelius Van Colt as
Postmaster of New York, and Joel b. Erhardt
as Collector of the Port win satisfy the iudg-
ment of most good citizens who understand
that combination of executive skill, practical
sagacity and intimate knowledge of men and
affairs is essential in the administration Of those
great offices. Mr.. Van Colt has been an en-
ergetic Republican politician all his life, buo
he has never been charged with importing poll
tics into the business pursuits with which he
has been honorably and conspicuously identified
for many years. 1t might as well be said pub
licly, since the fact is privately admitted that
Postmaster Pearson is in physical condition
which has given his friends reason to fear that
he would be unable to retain his place to the
end of the term which has Just expired, and
which precludes reasonable expectation that
he would have been fit to discharge the duties
of postmaster for any considerable time to
come. A change being imperative, therefore.
the President has selected from among the
leaders Of the party an active politician who
is also man of character and capacity.
1t may be said frankly and without ill-will
that MIR. Pearson's administration has disap-
pointed those representatives of both parties,
including THE TRIBUNE whose satisfaction at
his reappointment by President Cleveland four
years ago was most cordially expressed.
Whether through his fault, or owing TO obsta-
Giles which he could not surmount, it is a
fact that the New-York PostOffice has declined
in efficiency since 1885, and has not for years
been in so unsatisfactory a condition as during
the year 1888. 1t is certain that party or
ganizaton cannot be maintained by ignoring
party leaders, it is equally certain that party
leaders, to be SUCH must be men of energy and
executive capacity, and people of sense will
not condemn the appointment Of Mr.. Van Colt
until it appears that the qualities which have
been applied to excellent purpose in other fields
Of activity are out of place in the postofllce.
The appointment of Colonel Erhardt may be
confidently expected to escape the censure of
even the most supercilious critics, and to win
the hearty approval Of the great body Of his
fellow-citzens. President Harrison, unlike his
predecessor, did not think that it was essential,
in order to promote the security and con-
venience of commerce at this great port, and
to inspire confidence among the business men
of the country. to choose for Collector a country
lawyer from remote corner Of the State and
destitute of knowledge, experience and adapta-
bility. The selection of Colonel Erhardt is not
only tribute to the man who was chosen to
lead the party in the local campaign of last
November, but it is also ssgacious recognition
of his integrity, his conspicuous abilities, his
sound judgment, his wide acquaintance and
his general fitness for great administrative
post. With Mr.. Roberts as Assistant Treasurer
in this city, Mr.. Van Colt as Postmaster and
Colonel Erhardt as Collector, the people will
expect to see those branches Of the general
Government zealously, faithfully and skilfully
directed.