Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-04-26

The experience of the last administra-
ton as we'll as of the present one up to
this time clearly shows that this irregu-
lar and unconstitutional mode of dis
tributing public offices serves only to
cripple the members who make the ap-
pointments and the political party under
which it is done. Members Of congress
realize this embarrassment when they
order an election or caucus among the
voters of their own party in the respec-
tive neighborhoods where postofhces are
to be filed. The effort IN such cases is
undoubtedly to cast from themselves the
responsibility of making choice, which
is quite sure to engender dissension.
Such an expedient is not only unjust
in itself, but 1t rarely affords the relief
sought. 1t is manifestly unfair to make
an appointment for postmaster in GER
tain town depend upon the votes of one
political party only. These may be an
actual minority among the patrons of
that office. The service to be performed
is public service, paid for without ref
erence to the political affiliations of the
patrons, and if the choice is to be made
by the suffrages of those who are inter-
ested it is not just that any should be
disfranchised. The result of these cleo
tions often adds TO the confusion and
embarrassment which patronage entails,
as your committee has learned in the
course of its inquiries.
To our question: 'Haye any elections
been held in your district to determine
who the appointee should be; and, if so,
IN how many instances, where, and for
what positions?' the following answers
have been received from congressman in
whose districts such elections have been
held:
4. In two instances, for postrnasters, resulting
in both cases in difficulty and dissatisfaction.
6. Elections have been held in eight places in
my congressional district for the selection OF
postmasters. No elections have oeen mad for
the purpose of designating any other appoint
ment.
s. One election, to determine VINO should be
the postoffice appointee; We let all parties vote
and confined it to one town; would not hold an
other election for that purpose under any con-
sideration.
ter, which was unsatisfactory on account of
small attendance. There will be another on
March "a for postmaster.
IL. In few instances elections by petitions
for the position of postmaster.
II. One last year for postmaster. The result
Is. None. At the solicitation of candidates
and others called three postoffice elections.
and 1 got into hot water. The very persons who
had asked for elections protested most loudly
against them, and / then appointed the post
masters or recommended them myself.
D.
the district where there has been avacancy since
the 4th of March, 1889, caucus of Republican
voters has been held to recommend the eandl-
dates for the Office. These caucuses have been
largely attanded, and the result IN every in
stance has been perfectly satisfactory, both in
the character of the candidates elected, who
have been, without exception, excellent men,
and entirely removing the disputes and fsctious
quarrels which arise from such appointments.
16. Two for postmasters.
II. Two for possofices.
IS. None. Oae held without my knowl-
edge, in which voters were excluded who had
right to be heard, and paid no attention to
the election.
81. 1 mad few postofice elections in my
congressional district, but as there is no law
regulating such elections, they have resulted in
bitterness and strife, and did more to engender
animosities and i'll will between the patrons OF
the Office than any other method could have
adopted for settling postofhce contentious,
henceI have not favored them, and henceforth
shall discourage them where can.
p. Yes; settled perhaps twenty postofice
contests by caucus Of Republican electors. 1t
worked fairly well.
"a. In one instance elected q postmaster.
The other answers state that no cleo
tons were held.
An amusing account of an election held
in his district was given In an interview
with one of the representatives. He
said: g 1 have held one election only un-
der this administration and that had a
most disastrous result. It resulted in
several men losing their characters, oue
or two were turned out of church, and
all was turmoil and confusion. Car
| risges were hired 10 bring voters fourteen
miles distant, and citizens of anoter state
voted. The doors of the polling places
! were broken in. Democrats were al
lowed 10 vote. There were no safe
guards about the polls. 20 oaths were
required, and there was no respect for
the election. The judges certified
the election of one man, but sent
statement with the certificstion that the
election was carried by fraud, the same
name appearing on both papers. The