Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-31
HIS FIRST APPOINTMENTS.

Postmaster Mexican Announces the Reten.
tIOn of Misses Steele and Johnston
Formal Transfer of the POstoffice To.
NighI-The Line of Policy Mapped Out.
Postmaster Mexican will assume charge of
the Office at midnight tonight. At the close of
business hours tonight there will be instituted
process which in mercantile houses is denom-
mated taking account of stock" Every stamp,
letter sheet, postal card, payable money order,
and, in fact, everything transferable into money
will be taken into account. The two Govern
ment inspectors will perform this task, aided by
Su 'trintendent of Mails Collins and Cashier
McOalley. The accounts and books will be
balanced to a cent a statement in full will be
made with the retiring postmaster, Mr.. John b.
Larkin, and Mr.. Mexican will be installed.
such weighty preparations for a settle
ment are neither usual nor necessary
in ordinary offices. The Pittsburg postotice
is, however, a Sub-treasury of the United
States, and receives daily financial reports
from no less than l, 400 money order offices con-
tanned in four States and covering territory
of over 8 900 square miles, and the Government
detailed two of its most expert inspectors to
rush the transfer in order 70 make sure that
there would be no interruption of business be-
tween to-day and tomorrow.
All the present officials and financial clerks
in the office have filed their bonds with Post
master Mexican. and every detail has been at
tended to- Measurements were taken yester-
day for entire new furnishings and appoint
ments, and they will be in Colonel Swords
Office tomorrow. He has promised to send all
the material which the Treasury Department
provides early next week. The cabinet work
which is to go in comes from local workshops
and is nearly completed. Within a week the
interior OF the office will be entirely trans
formed.
Postmaster Mexican sprung a surprise on
the community last night in his announcement
of the appointees to the two best paying offices
within his gift Miss Mary E. Steele, Superin-
tendent of the Money Order Division, and
M JOhOStOn SuOnrlntapd1nt 0f %
Registry Division. will retain those positions
under the new regime. Miss Johnston is the
sister of Hon r. H. Johnston, District Attor-
ney, and daughter of Ex-Governor Johnston,
and her Democratic lineage is unqueBtioned.
Mr.. Mexican gave his reasons for the contin-
uanee in Office of these popular and efficient
ladies to a DISPATCH reporter as follows: II
am well aware that the numerous applicants
for the two positions which Misses Steele and
Johnston will retain may feel inclined to ques-
tion my action, but am perfectly free-footed
in every regard so far as the administration of
this office is concerned, and L choose to take a
higher ground in this matter than mere spoils-
manship. Although both positions are beyond
the scope of the civil service, it was my judg-
ment that the retention of both ladies was the
best kind of business policy. Perfectly familiar
with their duties. awarded high praise by the
as to competency, L feel that in availing
myself of their services l am adhering
to the policy l have mapped out: that
of running this office in business manner. l
opportunity to question the business qualifca-
tions of those who gradually displace the pres
ent appointive officials. intend to study the
demands of the service and the best interests
of the public and shall take ample time to
determine the fitness of those who will serve
under me-"
Miss Steele was appointed a clerk in the
monev order division on February l, 1877, by
Postmaster George H. Anderson. She became
Superintendent of the Division two years sub
seQuently, and has challenged the commenda-
tion of every Postofice Inspector who has
visited this Office by her business-like methods.
She has three clerks working under her. and
is brunette, very aHable in manners and re-
markably bright business woman.
Miss Johnston was appointed by Postmaster
Anderson on April ], 1877 and like Miss Steele,
began as a clerk. She became Superintendent
of the Division in 1888, succeeding John Gripp,
Esq. She has received high praise from seve-
ra, Postmaster Generals for her able admins
tration of her duties. Miss Johnston is a finely
educated woman, and belongs to one of the
oldest families in the State, and her appoint
ment will please the business world Of Pitts
burg. Mr.. Mexican said yesterday that post
Office employe who made it point to reach the
office at o'clock every morning. as Miss John
ston does. may fairly be classed as an enthu-
siast in her work.
James S. Mexican, the lately-appointed post
master, who takes office tonight. yesterday
visited Chief Bigelow to get the use of one of
the Council Chambers for the civil service ex-
animation, which takes place February 4.
There are l30 applicants for examination, as
against l60 when Postmaster Larkin first took
office, so the ambition for being letter carriers
does not seem to diminish very materially.
Mr.. Mexican said he was as much astOnished
as gratified at the fact that SO few people had
applied for positions so far. 1t relieved him of
the annoyance and pain of refusing favors
the use Of the Council Chamber for the exam
ination.