 Corruption in the post office also cried out for reform . In April 1880 , there had been a congressional investigation into corruption in the Post Office Department , in which profiteering rings allegedly stole millions of dollars , securing bogus mail contracts on star routes . After obtaining contracts with the lowest bid , costs to run the mail routes would be escalated and profits would be divided among ring members . That year , Hayes stopped the implementation of any new star route contracts . Shortly after taking office , Garfield received information from Attorney General MacVeagh and Postmaster General James of postal corruption by an alleged star route ringleader , Second Assistant Postmaster @-@ General Thomas J. Brady . Garfield demanded Brady 's resignation and ordered prosecutions that would end in trials for conspiracy . When told that his party , including his own campaign manager , Stephen W. Dorsey , was involved , Garfield directed MacVeagh and James to root out the corruption in the Post Office Department " to the bone " , regardless of where it might lead . Brady resigned and was eventually indicted for conspiracy . After two " star route " ring trials in 1882 and 1883 , the jury found Brady not guilty . 
