New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-19
TIE PosroFfIcE wHERs IT BELoHoa

There IS no nOvelCy In tne suxHes@Vh tnst
the general Postofios should be removed to
some point nearer the centre Of the city, At
frequent intervals ddring the last ten ye6rs
this proposal has been made, rather lansuidly
discussed and dropped. At the present time
it derives moro than ordinary significance from
the assertion that our sagacious and efficient
postmaster advocates the change. 1t must be
conceded that Mr.. Van Colts opinions. on any
subject relating to the administration OF his
Office are entitled to careful and respectful con-
sideration, not only because they possess ofti-
cial importance, but still more because his man.
agement of the vast business which concerns
every citizen Of New York has been distin.
guished by uncommon zeai and aptitude, and
in particular by the introduction Of new devices
for facilitating and expediting the service.
The argument chiefly relied on to, sustain
the theory that the postal business OF tho
metropolis could be conducted more salts
factOrily to the people from point much fur
ther uptown is the centre-of.population argu-
ment The city. it Is said, is rapidly covering
and is destined to crowd the whole island, and
not only that, but to expand indefinitely toward
the north, and therefore the general Postofice
will be more and more out of place so long as
it occupies its present site. Undoubtedly that
would be the case if the centre of exchange
and communication moved north with the centre
of population. There was time when 1t
seemed possible that this might come to pass,
but no such contingency is now visible to the
eyes of faith or of foreboding. For better or
worse the gigantic interests which are clustered
around and below the City Hall will remain
where they are. The vast capital which has
been expended for their security and mainte-
nance has permanently fixed their place.
The transportation system which connects
New-York with the rest of the country and with
the world has its terminals, with only one eX-
ception of the first Importance in closer con-
nection with the present Postoffice than they
could be with postofice situated at any other
point. The project OF great railroad centre
in the neighborhood of Union Square is nothing
moro than vision, whereas the occupation Of
Staten Island for railroad purposes is certain
ty of the near future, and the development Of
Brooklyn as railroad centre at least pos
sibility.
In considering the project for Q new Post
office the question of expense is not Q con-
trolling or even highly important oonsidera-
ton. New-York is entitled to the best facili-
ties for handling the mails that money can pro-
cure. 1t pays an enormous net revenue into the
Treasury, and upon the efficiency with which
its postal business il conducted depend in an
inoalculable degree the convenience and pros
perity of the whole country. II it were evil
dent that new Postoffice in another location
would be of permanent advantage to the in
terests concerned, we should regard the mill
ions required for its establishment as we'll ex-
pended for that purpose as they could be for
any Other. For the same reason, believing
that the present location is the best, we should
heartily commend the expenditure OF whatever
sum may be necessary for a reconstruction Of
the existing building to meet the require
ments of the service now and hereafter. No
doubt it is ill-adapted to its uses no doubt also
it can be greatly improved. Space is now
wasted which might be utilized, the whole in
terror arrangement could be remodelled; the
mechanical equipment might be augmented and
perfected; perhaps even one or more Stories
might be added certainly it might be e1-
clusively devoted to postal business.
We are anxious to see the cost of COM
petely adequate postal service limited by no
other consideration than that of getting the
full worth Of the money expended. And that
really involves the whole argument against q
removal.