The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-23
sENATORIAL COURIEsN.

We have more than once heretofore
explained how the Postmaster-Generh
has under authority unwarily conferred
upon him by Congress. inaugurated the
policy Of consolidating with large cen
trail post-office the near outlying small
post-ofIices, causing the mail at the latter
TO be delivered by the agents OF the CEN
trad office instead Of by machinery under
the direction of a postmaster for each oil
the small Offices. This has resulted where
the system has been put into operation In
the greatest possible benefit TO the peo-
ple who get their mails at the small post
offices. They receive many moro deliver
les. and they receive their mail at much
earlier hours. 1t is a most adnlraolc
thing for the people but most hatelui
thing to the politician. since 1t doptlVes
him of the appointment of postmasters at
each NJ The small ofrices-of that much
.patronage." We have also mentioned
the fact that the Senate, under the IN
spiration Of Senator German, has passed
a bin providing for the repeal OF the
law that authorized these consultations
Germans especial interest in the propose
ed repeal being due, perhaps, 10 the TACT
that as Baltimore is the nearest large
city 10 the Postmaster-General, he COM
menced his changes by consolidating sew
eral of the small Offices near that city
with the Baltimore post-oifce. The House
Of Representatives has refused TO pass
the Senate bin. and it is now before a
conference committee OF the two houses
the conferoes on the part OF the senate
being German, Allison, and Blackburn.
on Monday last delegation OF the
leading citizens OF Towson, Md. which Is
one OF the small towns incorporated INTO
the Baltimore Office, went 20 Washington
10 wait on the Senate conferees and 20
petition them not 10 pass the bill. but 10
have their town consolidated with the
Baltimore Office. They represented 10
these senators that they spoke Tor y
per cent. of the citizens of Towson, who
were unanimous In rcsenting re-estah-
nshment of the old order of things as a
most serious interference with their busi-
ness. and with their convenience IN re-
ceivIng their mails. one Of tho delegates
said:
"No one knowing the difficulties under
which we iabored with the old mail ser
vice and the benefits We have derived
from the consolation OF our pOst-oihc'
with the Office in Baltimore can wish e
return TO former methods, unless actual
ed by motives. other than a desire fol
the good OF the town. Formerly our maj
service was no better than that OF som'
cross roads settlement. Sometimes we di'
not get our morning mail until late II
tho afternoon and sometimes we did no
get II al all. II the weather was bad, IN
masl-carrier would sometimes abandon III
mail pouches al a convenient point ol
the roaA and either leave them Their
until the next day or send word 10 Towso
or 10 the Office In Baltimore. so that som
one could be sent after them, Since IN
consolidation with the Baltimore office on
mail service has been as good as that Ii
Baltimore, and In my opinion, could no
DO improved upon"
German remained obdurate in his reso
luton to have the law repealed. and {
have the old order OF things restored
He never said oTe word about patron
age" and the advantage to him IN can
vases for the Senate OF a postmaster a
Towson, whose appointment he had secul
Cd. Not ne. He put his advocacy OF tn
change upon very high grounds. II
said 81 must be dcne TO preserve 10 IN
people the priceless boon of local sci
government. though 50 per cent. OF thof
people insisted TO him that IL was not
Gaze IN which they wished the principl
applied. But German knew what wa
best for their interest better than. the