New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-20

n. uas made n Postoffice Inspector being placed
in charge Of the New-York district BY Postmaster
General Montgomery Blair in ls6t TINS positioh
gave him an opportunity to display his skill as
detective and he made many important arrests
In two cases alone he succeeded in recovering over
500 900 which had been stolen by postal employees
Mr. Gaylcr has a large share OF that peculiar iac-
ulty which makes the perfect detective He Is also
a handwriting expert OF great ability, having given
testimony In the celebrated Cadet Whitaker case AT
West Point His official duties. however, have pre-
vented HIS appearing in court in recent years.
In 1896 Mr. GayIer was requested by Postmaster
General Denison to suggest a substitute for the
system of registration then in use, which was so
imperfect that its entire abolition had been
recommended by Postmaster General Campbell
He accordingly devised the registered package
envelope" still in use together with many other
improvements. and prepared copies Of all the neces
sary blanks and drafts Of the regulations applying
to the plan.
These were submitted 10 and approved by the
department. but the report was 'pigeon-holed
and lost and II not until 1861 that. having
duplicated his previous labors. he was able TO
secure the adoption ~ his law. which. with some
minor notifications. las been in effect eyer since
Ex. postmaster-General Thomas l.. James says
IL has been the means OF saving millions OF
dollars TO the public The registry system OF the
United States PostotrcA Is believed TO be superior
to any other I'm the world.
Mfr Gavler in 1873 resigned his place as Post
Office Inspector to become Superintendent OF city
Delivery here Seven years later he appointed
10 his present rlnce. He knows the postal service
in every branch and Is at the office here the court
Of last rosor' on all questions Of Postothce laws
and regulations ~" has suggested many improve
rnenis some 81 which have been adopted and others
Of which have been recommended 70 Congress
by various Postmaster Generals He has also
done some notable pieces of detective work since
he became Assistant Postmaster, notable among
v-hich was the discovery OF the identity Of the
man "Gentlcman Joc" who annoyed the Rev
Dr. Morgan Dix rector OF Trinity Church. by hav-
ing tradesincn by the dozen deliver goods at his
house. etc.
The idea OF issuing a series OF columbian stamps
this wear originated with Mr. Gayler ON August
. 1891. ~ wrote 10 Postmaster General Nanamaker
suggesting the plan. and naming the vessels Of CO.
limbuss fleet. his interview with queen Isabella
the landing etc. as appropriate subjects Tor the
designs Of the stamps Mr.. Gayler said that Great
Britain made special coins and stamps In honor or
the Queens Jubilee. and h. thought that IN" as
coy.rv Of America might well be commemorated by
rho postoflcc DEPARTMENT OF the United States.
Mr. Wanamakcr concidcd with Mr. Gayler's view
He estimated that s950O0Q0 Of the new stamps
would 20 into collections unused. The Government
Will therefore make n neat sum out Of the issue
Mr. C;aycr f. a member Of the Old Guard. lie
* An ACCOMPLISHED amateur astronomer ana a
great lover of fishing. He has never been II pom,
for the extension Of Cyll Service reform IN the
postoiiice. His acquaintance among business men
IS wide and Mr.. DAYTON will be warmly COM
mcndcd by the public for retaining Mr. Gayler.