APPOINTMENT TO POST OFFICE (1846).
Although I was confident that the return of the Liberals to power was
but a question of time, it followed so rapidly upon the events already
mentioned as almost to take me, and I suppose many others, by surprise.
After holding office somewhat less than five years, Sir Robert Peel
found himself without adequate support in the House which had raised
him to power, and on the 29th of the month in which I received my
testimonial he resigned.
Although I became aware, by repeated conversations which I had had with
my friend Mr. Hawes, who was a member of the new Government, that he
confidently reckoned upon my recall, yet, knowing that he could have no
direct power in the matter, I was desirous of further evidence as to
the intentions of the new administration. Mr. Warburton, who was always
believed to have great influence with Liberals in power as well as out
of power, undertook to communicate with the Government. On July 30th
he wrote word that he had had an interview with the new Chancellor of
the Exchequer (Sir Charles Wood, now Lord Halifax), and would be glad
to see me on the morrow. Of his oral communication I have retained no
record, but according to my recollection the Chancellor had spoken of
difficulties--had thought that the best post for me would be, not at
the Treasury as before, but at the Post Office, into which, however,
he did not yet see how my introduction could be managed without
disturbance to the department. In short, the matter was a problem, and
time would be required for its solution. I resolved, therefore, to make
good use of the interim, and entering on the longest holiday I had ever
known, went abroad for that change of scene and thought which alone
could fit me for the arduous duties in which I expected soon to be
engaged.
Meantime, some events of interest passed at home. On August 22nd
Mr. Duncombe, in the House of Commons, again complained of the
management of the Post Office. In the course of the debate Mr. Parker
(Secretary to the Treasury) stated that the new Postmaster-General
(Lord Clanricarde) had found "the whole establishment in a most
unsatisfactory condition."[31] Mr. Hume, in terms highly complimentary
to me, urged my recall. The Premier (Lord John Russell) admitted
"that he was by no means satisfied with the state of the Post Office,
nor did he think the plans of reform instituted by Mr. Hill had been
sufficiently carried out;[32] and Mr. Warburton, referring to Lord John
Russell's admission, strongly urged my reappointment to office.
My first intimation of this debate was received in a letter from Mr.
Warburton, of which the following is the closing passage:--
"I think it manifest from this statement of Lord John Russell that
a reform in the Post Office is meditated in good earnest.... You
must be within call, if wanted."
On November 2nd, five days after my return from abroad, I received a
letter from Mr. Warburton, of which the following is the substance.
He had just seen Lord Clanricarde (at his request), who said that,
knowing Mr. Warburton's interest in me and in Post Office matters,
he wished to have some conversation with him before negotiating
directly with me. There were difficulties in the way of giving me
any high existing office in the Post Office, and objections thereto.
The office of secretary, for instance, was so loaded with detail,
that if given to me, whose office should be to advise, suggest, and
consider of improvements, my utility would be destroyed. On the other
hand, there were objections to an office of the nature held before,
on account of antagonism with the Post Office. His lordship thought
the fittest appointment would be one constituting me the adviser of
the Postmaster-General. He thought that such an office, which every
day's experience convinced him was necessary, might be constituted
by himself at once. Mr. Warburton informed his lordship that, from
some conversation he had had with me, he knew that I would not accept
any office from the Government which might be regarded as a mode of
putting me on the shelf; but that if an office of permanence and
dignity, connecting me with the Post Office--not placing me under
the secretary--and giving me sufficient weight to carry out my plans
of improvement, were offered, it would be accepted; that the office
suggested by his lordship wanted permanence. I might be dismissed,
as before, by some cabal of the officers of the department. They
would bide their time until a Postmaster-General should be appointed
who would cashier me. If the office were ephemeral, I could be of no
utility; resistance to my proposed measures would be protracted until
they could be defeated by a change of dynasty. He added that, on his
(Mr. W.'s) suggestion, Lord Clanricarde would have an interview with me
on the subject. Mr. Warburton obtained Lord Clanricarde's permission to
repeat to me what had passed.
Having procured an appointment with Lord Clanricarde, I called
upon him two days later; but of my conversation with him on this
occasion, and at a second interview, I have no further record than the
following:--"Saw Lord Clanricarde twice during the negotiation; much
pleased with his straightforward, business-like manner." I remember,
however, that I suggested for his lordship's consideration the revival
of the title assigned to Palmer, viz., Surveyor-General of the Post
Office, and that in consequence of his inquiry as to the circumstances
of Palmer's appointment, I undertook to send him a report on the
subject.
On the following day, I received a letter from his lordship, in which,
after expressing a wish to hear my more considered opinion of the
proposal which he had intimated to me, he continued as follows:--
"I assure you that I am convinced such an appointment as that
I wish you to hold--we will not quarrel about a _name_ for
it--would afford the best possible opportunity (under all existing
circumstances) for carrying out steadily, safely, and constantly,
every possible improvement in the Post Office, in conformity with
your plan and general views."
Objection having arisen to the revival of Palmer's official title, and
my position being, as I well knew, matter of grave importance to my
efficiency in office, I wrote to Mr. Warburton on the 17th, but was
prevented by his illness at the time from receiving that immediate
assistance which in health he was always so ready, I might say so
eager, to give.
Meantime, the negotiation was carried on by Mr. Hawes, who was at once
a member of the Government, and exceedingly zealous for my interests;
but in the course of it a vexatious mistake occurred, which was by no
means without injurious effect. Knowing how difficult it would be for
me, after all that had passed, to co-operate either harmoniously or
successfully with Colonel Maberly, I urged the importance of the step
actually taken eight years later, viz., of removing him to some other
office. To this it was replied that there was no post available for
the purpose, save at lower salary than he was then receiving; and as
the loss involved was said to be £300 a-year, I expressed my perfect
willingness to sacrifice that sum for the purpose of indemnification.
My salary at the Treasury, it may be remembered, was £1,500 a-year
(the same as that of the Secretary to the Post Office); and I now said
that I was ready to accept £1,200, provided only that my position were
such as would enable me to carry out promptly and efficiently the
remaining parts of my plan. Unluckily for me, it came to pass that,
while my offer as to salary was caught at, the accompanying stipulation
was somehow set aside; the definite proposal being that I should
take office as Secretary to the Postmaster-General with a salary of
£1,200 a-year; thus placing me in a lower position than that which I
had previously occupied at the Treasury. When I pointed out this to
Mr. Hawes, he expressed his regret at the perverse form the thing had
taken, but saying that the error could not now be retrieved, gave it as
his earnest advice that I should accept the proposal as it stood. Upon
my objecting to this, he urged that the arrangement was but temporary;
for that as soon as I should have demonstrated my fitness for the
entire control of the department, I should doubtless be placed at the
head. As I still resisted, his urgency increased. He warned me that, if
I now declined, my plans might remain for ever incomplete, for that no
second opportunity was likely to be offered; and he concluded with the
words, "Let me implore you to accept it." To such an exhortation from a
kind and valued friend I could not return an abrupt answer, and though
grievously disconcerted at what had occurred, I promised to consider
the matter.
Here, then, I found myself in a painful dilemma. On the one side I
was called on to accept a lower position than before, and thus to
maintain from inferior ground a contest which had almost worn me out
when the ground was equal; to consent to carry out my plans, if at
all, through wearisome controversy, over factitious obstacles, and by
reluctant hands; perhaps to break down in the trial, and thus leave
my work still undone. On the other hand, could I let slip this, my
sole chance, as it appeared, of at least attempting to complete the
great task on which I had entered? Could I disappoint the friends who
had striven so earnestly on my behalf, and for the promotion of my
great object? Could I forget the noble subscription raised for me by
the public, and seem to show, by my acts, that I preferred emolument
to achievement, or doggedly stood out for unimportant distinctions
of title or position?[33] The question was a very difficult one,
and though, after much consideration, I felt inclined to give way,
I resolved first to consult all such of my brothers as were within
reach. The result in each case was curiously identical, though for some
reason, now forgotten, I had to consult them severally. Each began with
an indignant ejaculation at the terms as they stood, and a declaration
that they could not be accepted; but each, after hearing the matter to
the end, came to the conclusion that, unworthy as was the treatment
to which I was subjected, it would not do to forego what might prove
to be my only opportunity of completing my great work. Since my own
conviction accorded with theirs, I wrote to Mr. Hawes in acceptance of
the offer. As the letter fully sets forth my reasons for this step, I
give it in extenso:--
"Brighton, November 23rd, 1846.
"MY DEAR HAWES,--You will be glad to learn that I have decided
to accept the offer of Government of a permanent appointment as
secretary to the Postmaster-General, at a salary of £1,200 a-year.
"The opinion so strongly expressed by Mr. Warburton and yourself as
to the necessity for so doing, backed as it now is by that of Mr.
Samuel Jones Loyd, has overborne my own objections, though I cannot
say that it has removed them, as I still feel great apprehension
that, notwithstanding the promises of support which I have received
from the Postmaster-General and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I
shall have to encounter that opposition which has hitherto been so
successful in retarding the progress of penny postage, and on some
occasions in resisting the most positive orders of the Treasury.
"You are aware that, with a view to neutralize, or at least
diminish, this formidable opposition, I was willing to sacrifice
a large proportion of my own salary, in order to enable the
Government to offer Colonel Maberly his full salary as a retiring
allowance. It is not for me to discuss the reasons which have
led to Colonel Maberly's retention in office, but it obviously
is my duty carefully to consider how far such retention ought to
influence my own conduct.
"This difficult question has occupied my mind for several days, and
the result, I am sorry to say, is a confirmation of the opinion
which I expressed to you and Mr. Warburton when the offer was first
communicated to me, namely, that, under the circumstances of the
case, to accept office would expose the improvements which remain
to be effected to a serious risk of failure, and thus perhaps
bring discredit on the general plan as well as on myself; and
consequently that I should best consult the public interest and my
own by respectfully declining the offer of Government. I need not
tell you that I am most anxious for an opportunity of completing
my plan, and that throughout these negotiations I have proposed
no conditions, except that I should have the authority requisite
to secure the success of the measure. Much will undoubtedly be
done by making my office permanent, and by placing me in immediate
communication with the Postmaster-General, as well as the Treasury;
but I fear this is not enough. I think Colonel Maberly should
have been induced to resign. I see almost insuperable difficulty
in attempting to collect information and to issue instructions
otherwise than through the general secretary's office, and yet,
judging from past experience, it appears hopeless to look for his
voluntary co-operation, while his position makes him too strong
to be effectually coerced. But assuming that Colonel Maberly must
remain in office, then I think that my appointment should have been
one of at least equal rank with his. This point, as will be seen
by the published correspondence, was fully considered when I went
into the Treasury, and the reasons which then existed, the strength
of which was in effect admitted by Mr. Baring, apply with at least
equal force now.
"These are my own views on the subject, and I think it best to
state them without reserve; but seeing that Mr. Warburton, Mr.
Loyd, and yourself entertain a different opinion, that you all
express a strong conviction to the effect that if this opportunity
of completing my plan be lost no other will be afforded me, that
public opinion would not support me in declining the offer, and
that I may look forward to a probable reorganization of the Post
Office, and, if I show that I possess the requisite administrative
powers, to promotion, at no distant period, to a position of higher
authority--I am naturally led to distrust my own opinions, and to
adopt the safer guidance of my kind and able advisers.
"After an interval of four years, during which my attention has
necessarily been devoted to other matters, I am therefore about
to enter on my arduous task. I shall look forward with as much
hope and as little apprehension as I can; but if improvement in
the mechanism and in the revenue of the Post Office should be less
rapid than I had anticipated under the impression that opposing
influences would be removed, I cannot doubt that Government and
the country will do me the justice to bear in mind the peculiar
difficulties of my position, and to recollect that, whatever
circumstances limit my power, they to the same extent limit my
responsibility also.
"Though the fact does not at all touch the public ground to which,
in considering this question, I have endeavoured to confine my
attention, I may be excused for mentioning that my acceptance of
the appointment, accompanied as it must be by the abandonment of my
present occupation, will be attended with an increase of labour and
a sacrifice of income.
"I am sure you will excuse my troubling you with this letter.
My object is, first, to give you the earliest intimation of my
decision, and, second, to place on record the circumstances of the
case while they are fresh in our memories. To any other member of
the Government than yourself I could not speak in so unreserved a
manner.
"I remain, &c., &c.,
"ROWLAND HILL.
"P.S.--... November 24th.--I have kept back my letter in order that
I may show it to Mr. Warburton, who authorizes me to say that he
approves of it."
Two days afterwards I received a letter from the Postmaster-General,
requesting that I would call upon him on the following Saturday. Having
meantime inquired of Mr. Warburton whether there were any further
information which he thought it important for me to receive before this
interview, I had a letter from him, in which he mentioned that he had
told Lord Clanricarde of my acceptance of the offer made by Government,
accompanying his announcement with the remark that those whom I had
consulted had been in doubt as to the advice they should give, fearing
that Colonel Maberly would be able to thwart me in my exertions. Mr.
Warburton's letter then proceeded as follows:--
"That the objections had been overcome by the promises of support
which had been given both by his lordship and the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, and by the assurance of the latter that, if you proved
yourself an able administrator, you were to look forward to promotion."
A few days later, having in the meantime called on the
Postmaster-General, I received my formal appointment. As I had again
cast in my lot with the Post Office, I withdrew, of course, from my
previous employments, resigning all my directorships, already three in
number.
I was now in my fifty-second year, and in the tenth from that in which
I first took Post Office reform seriously into my thoughts. I need
not say that the interval had been a period of very hard work, that a
decade in my life was in every sense gone; in short, that I was already
somewhat old for the heavy work of reform that still lay before me.