Sobriety was, of course, indispensable--a drunken car-driver
being amongst the most dangerous of servants. The drivers must
also be truthful, and the man found telling a lie, however
venial, was instantly dismissed. Honesty was also strongly
enforced, not only for the sake of the public, but for the sake
of the men themselves. Hence he never allowed his men to carry
letters. If they did so, he fined them in the first instance
very severely, and in the second instance dismissed them. "I do
so," he said, "because if I do not respect other institutions
(the Post Office), my men will soon learn not to respect my own.
Then, for carrying letters during the extent of their trip, the
men most probably would not get money, but drink, and hence
become dissipated and unworthy of confidence."
Thus truth, accuracy, punctuality, sobriety, and honesty being
strictly enforced, formed the fundamental principle of the entire
management. At the same time, Bianconi treated his drivers with
every confidence and respect. He made them feel that, in doing
their work well, they conferred a greater benefit on him and on
the public than he did on them by paying them their wages.
When attending the British Association at Cork, Bianconi said
that, "in proportion as he advanced his drivers, he lowered
their wages." "Then," said Dr. Taylor, the Secretary, "I
wouldn't like to serve you.
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