The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-08-24

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Contrary to the prevalent impress
sion, the postmaster life is not all
sunshine. AS is often expressed, the
postmaster has little more to occu-
py his time than the drawing of his
salary, writing an occasional letter,
handing out letter when called
for or selling few stamps, but when
patron attempts to get regis
tered letter or package addressed to
another, or to cash money order
not his own without written en-
dorsement a different idea is often
obtained.
In most communities, especially
in the smaller towns and cities, the
postmaster is the sole representa-
tive of the general government. and
the application of "public servant
peculiarly fits his position. In the
postmaster must be confined all the
qualities of business man, the di-
plomat and general advisor of the
public on all matters relating to the
postal service AS a business man
he must attend to all the details OF
his office, the management of the
clerical force, look after the finances,
and be prompt and efficient IN all
his relations with the Department.
AS diplomat, he must ever be ready
to convince the patron that the rules
and regulations are solely for his
interest and protection, though often
referred to by the public as red
tape" and in all of his dealing with
his patrons, the postmaster must
exhibit affability. and unfailing cour-
tesy and good humor, even though
his collar becomes moist with per-
spiration. AS advisor, the postmast-
er must necessarily have thorough
knowledge of the regulations govern
ing the postal system, and must be
capable of answering inquiries put
to him regarding the service in gen
eral.
The average postmaster, however,
should have little difficulty in rem
dering efficient service after a year
or two of experience. but it must not
be overlooked that the most sue
cessful and popular postmasters are
the ones who have the spirit of &C
commodation inculcated in their
makeup, for there is no institution
ON earth where opportunities for
showing courtesies and accommo-
dations are as ample as in the local
postoffice. And upon the courteous
and obliging conduct of the clerks
and letter carriers toward the pat
rons, much of the success of the
postmaster's administration depends.
If the postmaster is so unfortunate
as to be surrounded by discourteous
and unaccommodating employees, the
complaints are made personally to
him, and, while the offending en-
ploye is directly accountable for his
own conduct, the postmaster may
nevertheless grow in disfavor with
the public by reason Of his having
an undesirable employe in his SER
vice.
It, therefore, devolves upon the
postmaster to see that his empoyes
are obliging and courteous at all
times, during Office hours and after
Office hours.
Note now the difference between
the postmaster Of large city and
the postmaster Of a small city or
town. There is an interesting dis
tinction between the two as viewed
through the public eye. The metro
politan postmaster, by reason of the
fact that he is resident of great
city, where families live in adjoin-
ing flats without ever getting ac-
quainted, does not come in touch
with the every day patron Of his
office, and, outside of his business
acquaintance and personal friends,
the multitude of people served by
mis- office are unknown to him. The
situation is reversed, however, with
the small city postmaster. who
knows practically every man, woman
and child within the delivery of his
office. And, by virtue of this
dinction, it must be understood that
the conditions surrounding the large
and small office are widely different.
The postmaster is, therefore, obliged
to adapt himself to the conditions
found in his own community. and it
is safe to say the postmaster Of the
small office will have more personal
demands upon his time and more
courtesies to perform than the post
master of larger city.
1t is fairly well understood by
the public that every United States
postoffice is governed by volume
Of statutes known as "The Postal
Laws and Regulations" and it Is
contemplated by the Department
that every postmaster will carefully
observe the rules of conduct set
forth therein. When a question aris-
es in the mind of a postmaster as
to the right course to pursuse in
the handling of certain matters per-
tanning to his office, he naturally
seeks instructions from the postal