In 1885, one Robinson, a postman at Liverpool, and number 210 in his class, was jumped to the position of assistant inspector. "He had, when a young postman, been selected by his inspector as a superior and promising officer. He had been temporarily employed [by way of tests] as assistant inspector, and had discharged the duties so efficiently that, on a vacancy occurring, he had been promoted to it." This case, as well as those previously mentioned, were cited as "grievances," before the Tweedmouth Committee, by the men selected by the Post Office employees to act as their spokesmen before the Committee. Lord Tweedmouth, chairman of the Committee, commenting on the case, said to Mr. Joyce: "Still, it seems to have been rather a strong order to appoint an assistant postman to such an office and to give him such a great promotion." Mr. Joyce replied: "Yes, it certainly does seem so; but for the position of inspector or assistant inspector of postmen there is no doubt that qualifications are required which are not ordinarily to be found in postmen.... For the positions of inspectors and assistant inspectors, I think I may say that the local authorities, and also headquarters, are more particular than they are about any other promotion, and they are most anxious to select actually the best man. In almost every other promotion, very great allowance is made for seniority; but in the case of inspectors it is not so, on account of the somewhat rare qualities required of inspectors, and because the post is a most invidious one."[296] The reader will note that in 1896 the Post Office employees were complaining of a promotion made in 1885. [Sidenote: _The Ablest Man in the Sheffield Office_] It was established before the Tweedmouth Committee that in instances the Post Office employees, with the aid of Members of the House of Commons, have succeeded in forcing the Post Office to revoke promotions, or to promote men that have been passed over. For example, Mr. Joyce, Third Secretary, General Post Office, said: "Wykes is unquestionably a very able man--probably the ablest man in the Sheffield office--and it is quite true that he was promoted [from a second class sortership] to be an assistant superintendent; but for reasons quite unconnected with his ability and qualifications, that promotion has been cancelled. Having said that, I trust the Committee will not press me further upon the point, inasmuch as it is very undesirable that I should say more." Mr. Spencer Walpole, a Member of the Committee and the Secretary of the Post Office, added: "Except, perhaps, that the cancelling of that promotion had nothing to do with the evidence that has been quoted?" Mr. Joyce replied: "It had nothing to do with that; the matter is still in a certain sense _subjudice_."[297] [Sidenote: _An M. P. promotes Eleven Men_]