The New York herald., 1878-02-22
The TOLEDO POST OFFICE.
An Interesting Story Of Civil
Service Reform.
WHY REED HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED
The Owner of Two Newspapers Substi-
tuted for a Competent Official.
[rnoM AN ocoAslosAI CORRESPONDENT. ]

[FnoM AN OCCASIONAL coREEsPoNDENT.l
wAsHIxGros, Feb. 20. 1874
The case OF Alexander Reed, nominated for POST
master a. rojedo, the history OF which IL told below
promises 10 become, IN March, unless tho President
should refuse TO renomina,e him, Of the most ex
traordnary cases OF civil service reform on record
DETAILS OF rHE CASE.
Tho Senate Committee Post Ondces and Post
Roads, at meeting held recently, agreed formailyto
postpone the iurther consideration OF the nomination
of Mr. Reed to be Postmaster at Toledo, vice Mr.. p H.
Dowling, removed, until the 7th day OF March. The
commission Of Mr.. Dowlipg expires on the 5th OF
March, and az the namo Of Mr. Recl has been pressed
for confirmation by tho President tho course Of the
committee In making a vacancy OF two days IN
the Office requires some explanation. The case Is
altogether unprecedented IN the annals OF OWL
service reform and the operations OF the Tenure Of
Once act. II appears that at late session
OF the committee the nomination oi Mr.. Reed
was before the committee and occupied The
entire time of the session. He was hrst appointed
Postmaster at Toledo last summer, Woe Downg. sus
pended, aud his nomin alton sent TO the Senate
during the extra session. the law required The OPP
position was formidable ana the personal objection
OF Senator Thurman SO strong that the Post ONCE
Committee thought It charitable thing not to expose
the President and his friend Senator Matthews 10 the
attacks which the discussion Of the nomination would
inevitably bring the name was reported iavorably or
unlavoraby 10 the Senate. The chairman oil the CON-
mittee was Senator Ferry, Of Michigan. and among
the members Senator Hamiin. Of Maine. It will DO
rememuered that Mr. Hamlin was formerly chairman
OF this committee and regards himself as the highest
authority In evory matter pertaining 10 the postal SER
vice. Having also some dislike Of the Presidents
method OF making appointments no thought that
Mr. Hayes would take the hint and not insist upon re-
moving Mr. Dowlng If the committee failed to report
the name Of Mr.. Roed. Mr.. Ferry, the chairman,
likewise wished 70 be understood in tho attitude OF
pcacemakcr and adopted the nonactve policy as tho
most proper tor such an appointment The nomina-
ton therefore, not being acted on fell with the close
OF the session.
RENoMrxArED.
Shortly aser the meeting of the regular session the
President again sent the name oi Mr. Reed TO the
Senate Tor its action In the meantime Mr. DowlinR
resumed she office, and his term Of service would
expire in March next be prepared 10 resist the effort
ubridge his OF service as Postmaster Senator
Hamlin about this time. examining the renomina-
ton of Mr.. Reed, found that the President had failed
to set forth the reasons which the Tenure Of Office
act required should be given or wishing to remove
Official during the regular session Of tho Senate The
President, on receiving notice of this withdrew the
nomination. but promptly renewed It In due form, and
1t was with this persistent determination ON the part
OF the President to put the responsibility upon the
Senate that the committee has for weeks been
wrestling with about three hundred lettcrs and pct.
tions protesting against the removal OF Mr. Downing,
while there not said in favor oi Mr. Reeds
confirmation and very much against 1t.
. Tho Post Office Committee remodelIed at the be.
ginning OF the regular session, Senator Burnside.
Gaonv q
placcs with Senator Jones, Of Nevada. who was on
tho Post ONCE Committee. Senator Burnside was
told that as friend of the President he would do
wisely TO suggest the withdrawal Of Reeds name az
the Roosevelt Fitzsimmons and one or two Other
nominations were likely 10 give the Senate trouble.
Mr.. burnside looked into the matter and reported
that the President was determined stick by Reed
aud thought that 80 long the President wanted the
name aolod upon he ought TO be accommodated.
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.
Accordingly the committee proceeded to hear
evidence from Reed in his own behalf, and It Is un.
derstood that Reed made SO poor showing that hi
case was worse alter he was heard than before. He
was examined in reference to anidavits Of three o
the clerks In the Toledo Post Once from whose pay
Reed had, they swear, deducted sums Of money
after requiring them to receipt full IL appears
that these charges corroborated by the report
Two special agents OF the Post Othce Depart men t.
There was also before the committee 2 mass OF evil
dence which would make II impossible 10 favovaby
report the name OF Mr. Reed, and very recen
experiences had conclusivey shown the republican
Senators that nothing better was wanted by tho DEM
ocrats than u report upon unnt nominations. Senator
Thurman ready With damaging charges. With
all these facts, the chairman (Mr. Ferry,'n Is re-
ported, went to The President. and urged Dim te
withdraw tho OF Mr.. Reed, as 1t was a standing
menace to his friends in the Senate. Mr. Hayes
firmly refused, and in this dilemma tho committed
was compelled to act for him.
LETTING THE PRESIDENT DOWN EASY.
II was found that Mr. Dowlng had less than thre,
weeks to He had asked tbo committee 10 spare
him that length oi time. Some OF tho member
thought It would be gracious thing to do and woult
relieve tho committee OF It's white elephant So .h'
further consideration ot the nomination Of Mr.. Reet
was postponed until the 7th OF March Mr. Downg vii
serve his full term, aud as there Will be vacancy IL
the Office the President must Withdraw the pendni
| nomination OF Mr, Reed II he wishes 10 renew II
| fourth time. But 1t has become known tina
the quoting intention Of the committee will surei!
| fail. Mr. Matthews. who has been the strenuous nj
vocate Of Mr.. Reed, thought that 1t would not b
necessary for the President 10 Withdraw Mr.. Reeds
name. In the opinion oi some Senators no mus
| do so II he wishes to have the name considered
This iacl however, ID pot Important, uniess on w
TN oil March the name OF Mr.. Reed shall again chal
lsngo tno attention Of the committee Mr.. Bowling
who is not a candidate for reappointment, but who
said bo excellent postmaster, with ex.Attorne
General TAFT and largo delegation OF prominent re
| pubicans In Ohio, will come here to oppose the az
pontment OF Reoo, and the expectation is that th
fight will be very lively.
| TIE AGAINST READ.
The following documents. consisting OF two letters
Dowhng to the committee, and three anadavts, shoV
the against Reed, and pretty lively reading =
Mr.. BOWLING THE COMMITTEE
| WAsHyGroS, Feb. Ia, 1878
| To THE SENATE COMMITTEE Posr OFFICES AND Pos
ROADS,
first received a notice that the President contem
| plated making change in tho Toledo Post once 0
| Juno IA, 1877. then went TO Washington, and wa
! much surprised at his intended course. j had rea
| the Presidents letter oil acceptance and had jig
| tened 10 his inaugural on civil service reform.
knew that q. Wnggner had applied Tor the place bu