James Noble Tyner

James Tyner
26th United States Postmaster General
In office
July 12, 1876 – March 3, 1877
PresidentUlysses S. Grant
Preceded byMarshall Jewell
Succeeded byDavid M. Key
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 8th district
In office
March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1875
Preceded byGodlove Orth
Succeeded byMorton C. Hunter
Personal details
Born
James Noble Tyner

January 17, 1826
Brookville, Indiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 5, 1904(1904-12-05) (aged 78)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyRepublican

James Noble Tyner (January 17, 1826 – December 5, 1904) was a lawyer, U.S. Representative from Indiana and U.S. Postmaster General. Tyner was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1869 and served three terms from 1869 to 1875.

While in the House, Tyner opposed granting railroad subsidies, promoted gradual western industrial expansion, and spoke out against the Congressional franking privilege. In 1873, Tyner voted for the controversial Salary Grab Act that raised congressional pay, which resulted in his losing the Republican nomination for a fourth term. President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Tyner Second Assistant Postmaster General in 1875 then U.S. Postmaster General in 1876, and he served until 1877.[1] Tyner served as First Assistant Postmaster General under President Rutherford B. Hayes from 1877 to 1881. In October 1881, President Chester A. Arthur requested his resignation because of his involvement in the Star Route postal frauds and for giving his son, whom he had appointed Superintendent of the Chicago Post Office, a $1,000 salary increase.

Tyner served as Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Post Office Department from 1889 to 1893 and from 1897 to 1903. Tyner was a delegate to the International Postal Congresses in 1878 and 1897. Postmaster General Henry C. Payne requested his resignation in April 1903, after which Tyner was indicted for fraud and bribery. Tyner was acquitted after his family controversially removed pertinent papers from his office safe.

  1. ^ "JAMES N. TYNER (1876–1877)". 4 October 2016.