JAMES, Thomas Lemuel, American banker and Postmaster-General of the United States: b. Utica, N. Y., 29 March 1831; d. New York, 11 Sept. 1916. He early learned the printer's business and bought out a weekly Whig paper, the Madison County Journal, at Ham ilton; and in 1856 changed its name to the Democrat-Republican, which was for 10 years the most powerful Republican organ in Madi son County. He was collector of canal tolls at Hamilton 1854-73; was appointed inspector of customs in New York 1861; weigher in 1864; and in 1870 was promoted to be deputy collector in charge of the bonded warehouse, which de partment he immediately proceeded to arrange according to a new system. In 1873 President Grant appointed him postmaster of New York, and he was reappointed by President Hayes in 1877. He filled this office with signal success and originated improvements in the delivery system, involving the whole postal methods of the United States. President Garfield in 1881
gave him the portfolio of Postmaster-General, and his chief important service was his initia tion of inquiries which led to the investigation of the Star Route frauds, the saving of over $2,000,000 a year to the department. and a rec ommendation for a reduction of letter postage from three cents to two cents which was soon adopted. He received the degree of A.M. from Hamilton College in 1863 and that of LL.D. from Madison University 1883, Saint John's College 1884 and Saint Francis Xavier's Col lege 1886. From 1882 he was president of the new Lincoln National Bank of New York city, which brought him into intimate relations with some of the most powerful financiers of the metropolis and the nation. In 1895 he was elected mayor of Tenafly, N. J.