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

irresponsible patron. These are not
fragrant violations, and in fact, in
some cases are not violations at all.
In fact, is is the self-assumed at
titude of the postmaster as the
bumper" between the Department
and the public, the mere overriding
of technicality, as it were, in or
der to help out patron in distress.
And it is a singular fact that in
nine cases out of ten the patron is
perfectly unconscious of the gener-
Gus constitutions placed upon the
regulations by the postmaster who
is outwardly glad he has obliged his
patron, yet correspondingly annoyed
at the interior sensation which fol-
lows accommodations in variance
with printed instructions. The post
office is, however, strictly business
institution, and as emergencies arise
in every line of business, the post
master who fails to recognize an
emergency when he meets one gives
no cerdit to his administration. Bill
Jones, a well-to-do farmer, who lives
- miles from town and does not
have rural delivery service, comes
to the postoffice for his mail, and
is given a notice for registered let
ter addressed to Mrs. Jones. 1t con-
tains important information that
Mrs. Jones has been expecting, but
she is unable to come to town, and
Mr.. Jones is allowed to sign for the
letter without written order from
his wife, who is the addressee. This
action is not in accordance with the
regulations, but it is an emergency,
and in the event that the letter does
not reach Mrs. Jones the postmaster
is sponsible to the government. A
register parcel is sent to the bride
on her wedding day. The ceremony
, is about to be performed, and it is
desired to have all the wedding pres
ents arrayed for the inspection Of the
guests. In the absence Of proper
authority of the addressee, the faith
er or brother is permitted to receipt
for the parcel. Even after delivery
as above described, the postmaster
will insist upon registry orders be-
ing made out by the person address
ed to filed in the Office as a matter
of record and protection to the
postmaster and the government, but
the delivery of registered article
in advance of written authority is
a violation just the same, and the
postmaster sis held responsible in
the event of wrong delivery by the
receipter. There are two Instances
where the postmaster assumes the
role of bumper" between the regu-
lations and the patron.
It must be understood that post
masters in the conduct of their Of
fees must be guided largely by their
own judgment. Many of the regu-
lations promulgated by the Depart
ment were especially designed for
for the big offices and as the environ
ments of the large city postofflce
are largely different from the small
city office, certain sections Of the
postal statutes are inconsistent with
the needs and conditions of the
smaller office. Every postoffice in
spectos is familiar with the con-
spector is familiar with the con-
es within his territory, and advises
the postmaster accordingly. If post
masters confine themselves to a
strict Interpretation according to the
letter of the regulations, it would
result in much embarrassment to the
service.
In concluding the phase of the re-
lationship between the postmaster
and the public, no criticism Of the
regulations is intended, but in main
tanning the spirit of the law as en-
bodied in the regulations, the post
master must exercise judgment in
their Interpretation. The regula-
tions were not made in day. They
are the result demonstrated by years
of experience in the conduct Of the
postal system, and were created for
the protection Of the public who
make the strongest protest against
their strict enforcement in individ-
ual instances. And this suggests
the postmaster must use his discre-
ton, as occasion arises. 10 fit the
unyielding edge Of the Departments
orders into the groove Of the pat
ronts demands, and 1t IS his success
in uniting and making smooth
joint of these apparently irreconcil-
able phases which measure his sue
cess as a public servant.
Postmaster make mistakes. They
can not help 1t, however earnest they
are in their desire to prevent them.
They are like all other men. The
first man ever created made a mis-
take when he rambled into the Gar
den of Eden, and ever since Adams
time the habit of making mistakes
has fastened itself so strongly upon
the human race that it is impos-
sible to throw it off. The doctors
mistake is buried, the lawyers is sent
to Jail, but the postmaster can not
so readily dispose Of his. If the
guardian angel hovered around the
;ntAr;a. nf Tho nnctnfino dnrinn tho