The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-21

Congressman Seek n Definition, but Meet
with Only Indifferent Success.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March 20.-On the assump-
tion that the action of the Postofice De-
partment with reference to the postmaster
at Pontiac, H., was to be considered pre-
cedent, a large number of ofapplications were
made to-day by members of Congress for
the removal of offensive partisans in other
districts, with variety of results. Forex-
ample, Representative Wade, of Missouri.
asked the removal of the postmaster at
Kansas City for the reason that he has
been an offensive partisan without extenu-
ating circumstances. 1t was shown that
the Democratic postmaster who had been
in Office during the most of the admins
tration of Cleveland, was removed last
December at the instance of Senator Vest,
and another Democrat appointed, whose
term will not expire until December, 1892.
Mr.. Wade appealed to remove him and ap-
point Republican In his place. The Post
master-general consented to do so. and said
it would not be fair to the Republicans of
that district to let him remain.
Another Congressman who appealed to
the Postmaster-general to remove an Of
fensive partisan in his district, came away
disappointed. When he cited the Pontiac
case, the Postmaster-general told him that
the cases were not parallel; that
there could be no cast-iron rules
in deciding such matters, and each case
must stand on its own merits. Representa-
tive Thomas, of Wisconsin, this morning.
asked for the removal OF an offensive par
tisan In his district and the Appointment Of
a Republican to his place. He was told
that he must file written charges to secure
the removal of the present incumbent and
a petition from the patrons of the Office
to secure the appointment of his successor.
A Senator from an Eastern State applied
to the Postmaster general for a defini-
tion of the policy he proposed to adopt
in making removals, and was told that
whenever charges are made against the In
cumbent by Senator or Representative in
Congress showing that said incumbent is
unfit to perform the duties of the Office, or
is offensive to the patrons of the Office,
such charges would be considered sufficient
cause for removal. and the removal will be
made upon the responsibility OIL memoer
of Congress. f a postmaster Is shown TO
have used his Office for the promotion or
the interest of political party or to secure
the election of one candidate over another.
he may be considered an offensive partisan
and removed for that cause.
/ asked Judge Payson to-day if he knew
what policy the department had adopted
with regard to OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
they would adopt the recommendation of a
member of Congress in each case, or re-
uuire all of the papers to be submitted. as
in the case of Mr.. Funston, cited in these
dispatches. 81 heard Mr.. Clarkson say to
a member of Congress yesterday" replied
Judge Payson, that the rules of the de-
partment would require the presentation Of
all the papers, including petitions. letters
of Recommendation, ETC.; that the member
with a letter designating the candidate
whose appointment he would prefer, and
that the department would act upon that
recommendation after having gexamined the
papers submitted ~