Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1911-09-07
Lincoln's Postmaster General

Il knew Mr.. Blair before he became
postmaster general" said Mr. MARI
to Inc one day in the early eighties.
Il first met him during Buchanan's
administration and about the time he
was the counsel for the defendant in
the famous bred Scott case. About
that time he got into the habit OF
dropping into the postoffice depart
ment whenever he was in Washington
his home was near by in Maryland
and many half hour he spent chat
ting with me at my iesk. He was an
exceedingly gentle hammered man.
and yet it was easy to see that he
was a man of firm determination. II
he was gentle, he certainly was not
meek
When picked up my paper one
morning in 1861 and read that Mr..
Blair had been appointed postmaster
general by Lincoln | was overjoyed:
by that time he and ! had become
firm friends. and was chief clerk in
the Office of the first assistant post
master general. AT the first opportu-
nifty | called upon him to pay my re-
spects and give him my congratula-
tons. He received me like an old
friend He told me to draw my chair
up TO his desk He looked at me with
a little twinkle in his eye. recalling.
am sure, the many chats we had
had. At last he spoke.
Mr.. MARI said he, don't you
think the government can get along
without you?'
For a moment | wondered whether
politics were not going to make it
necessary for some one 10 be appoint
ed in my place. BIT replied bravely;
"'Yes. the government can get
along without me. but how could /.
after my long service in this depart
ment get along without the govern
ment?
Mr. Blair bestowed upon me his
most cordial smile. Well, Mr.. Mari.
he said firmly. the government is
not going to get along without you
while | anne here Then he looked at
me intently.
mr.. MARI he said. did 1t ever oc-
cur to you that the postoffice is the
only department of the government
with which all of the people all of the
time are brought into personal touch
with their country and their govern
meut at Washington? For. you see
the postof1ice is everywhere: the post
master Is the only visible representa-
tive of the government at Washington
that literally millions of people are
brought in contact with They dom
see the tax collector. because most Of
our taxes are indirect; they don't see
the soldier although ! am apprehen
sive that they may speedily see toe
many of them. But the flag Of the
2 United States floats officially ovei
every postoffice in the country.
I Nov. don't you think. Mr.. Mari
that you and ought to do everything
o we can while we are in this depart
5 ment to bring the people into ever
y closer touch with their government
/ It's n great opportunity for both OF us
K WIN you help me? shall need al
y the help can get!
Il THAT" continued Mr. MARI wa
( the way in which one of the creates
9 nostmaster generals | have personall'
e known-and | have known them al
? since 1S35-counseled with one OF nj
subordinates a few days after he be
). came postmaster general And becaus
X he ran the department in That splrr
y free delivery of mail was introduce
n in the cities. and sorting of the mail
e on postal cars was begun. and o'he
L improvements looking to bringing tn
IF people into closer touch with thei
lie government at Washington wer
y made
10 downright. 1911. by f. J. Edwards.
le Rights Reservedl
d --,.,