Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/79

Organization of Post- Office Department of Confederacy 69 of Texas was secured, but of the other southern states there were no charts, and these had to be made with considerable difficulty. Also much of the supplies for the department was purchased in Washington by Mr. Brewster, especially the heavy bound volumes; the rest was ordered from Xew Orleans. The next step in the organization — once the appointments of the new-comers were registered — was the enlisting of subordinates.^ All necessary officers and clerks were added, and then was opened the Judge's school for instructions. It held from eight to ten o'clock every evening. The attendance of all members of the department was required, and in this manner the routine was systematized. One of the first things set about was the preparation of the appointment-book, which contained the names of the postmasters under the jurisdiction of the Confederacy, together with the data of their offices — the amount of receipts, and whether they were draft or collection offices. Also a complete tabulation was made of the names and addresses of the agents of the service, and of the compensation awarded to each. At the same time were pre- pared the books of the contract office, which showed all the mail- routes under the control of the new government, the names of the contractors on the star routes, and the contract price. Also all contracts with railroad and steamship companies for carrying the mails were brought under scrutiny : and all vacancies were dis- closed and appointments made. Thus much done, the practical problems were ready for solution. Writes the Judge : To organize the Department so as to carry out the purpose had in view by Congress;" to insure the continuance of our postal facilities in such manner as to meet the public necessities; to avoid the suspension of the postal service until a new system could be adopted and put into operation, and to prevent a serious shock to the public interests by a temporary suspension of mail service, were the first questions to be con- sidered by the Department. The Provisional Congress adjourned JMarch 16, 1861, but the threatening events following President Lincoln's inauguration caused Mr. Davis to call Congress to meet April 29 in special session."* ' First, Second, and Third .Assistant Postmasters-General were represented by the chief of the contract bureau, the chief of the finance bureau, and the chief of the bureau of appointments. It might be added that the officers and clerks in the new department were not so nimierous by half as those engaged at like tasks in Washington. - The Confederate Congress contemplated the establishment of a Post-Office Department on the lines of that of the United States, witness the early legislation in regard to the same ; and it was, as a matter of fact, so patterned. ^Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States, I. i53- J James D, Richardson, Messages and Papers of the Confederacy, I. 60.