Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-10-12
AID Of POSTMASTERS
Invoked to Help Republi-
cans in Michigan.
ROOSEVELT INVESTIGATES.
And Furnishes an Interesting Letter
on the Subject.

DETROIT, Oct 12-Daniel j. Campau,
committee of Michigan has formally made
complaint TO Hon. Theodore Roosevelt,
chairman Of the civil service commission,
against the conduct of Republican post
masters of Michiyan These oihCehollers
are now making, at the request OF there
publican state committee, a list Of all the
voters, patrons OF their ON ces, with nota.
tions as TO their politics, connections with
farmers movements and labor societies,
and to enlist the prominent Republicans
of their towns in the work.
The chairman further charges that the
postmaster at Pontiac receives numerous
papers containing campaign broadside
that Is in no sense newspaper matter, in
violation of the postal laws. He further
charges that Democratic campaign litera-
ture, properly addressed and stamped. is
thrown into the waste basket by the Re
publican postmaster at Shaftesbnrg. Mr..
Roosevelt has replied that the charges
will get an immediate investigation.
Secretary Bates of the Republican com
mittee says the wholesome literature he
sends out cannot do anybody harm. and
suggests AN interview with eX-postmaster
General Dickinson on the precedonts dur
ing his term of office.
Rooseveit's Letter.
WASHINGTON, Oct. l2.-rhe following
was furnished to the press by the secretary
of the United States civil service commits
sion:
WASHINGTON, ID. C.. Oct 10 lsa?
blank book. purpoTting 10 have been sent
by w. X. Bates, secretary AT Detroit, on behalf
OF the Republican state committee, TO George
Il. Daniels, the postmaster at Withey, Mich,
has been laid before this commission. II re-
quests that postmaster % furnish n canvass OF
the patrons of his Office, with information as
TO their former and present politics, and as 10
the papers they take, together with recon-
mendations as 20 what papers should be sent
them, etc, etc. The postmaster Is further I'm
formed that he is expected 10 consult with
prominent Republicans of his locality a. TO
this work, but, as far rs possible, 10 keen his
labors from becoming public. The signature
IL printed the address l. in writing.
The commissioners also received informa-
tion from several sources 10 the effect that
requests of this kind have been made by po-
litical committees, not only in Michigan, but
elsewhere. services Of the kind requested
In the book submitted TO the commission are
clearly political services, and 10 render them
Is contrary ~ he postal regulations. With
this, however, the commission has nothing
TO do, but 1t feels in duty bound 20 inform this
postmaster and all postmasters, and all
other postal employees in Michigan and else
where that The civil service law expressly
provides, section :. division second, sub H.
vision nth. tLut no person in the public serv-
ice is for that reason under any obligation TO
render any political Ice, and that he will
not be removed or otherwise prejud iced for
refusing to rsnler IL, while general rule OF
the civil service rules, provides Tor the dis
missal of any public servant removing him or
causing him TO be removed because OF such
refusal. CHARLES LYMAN,
THEODORE RoosEvELr,
GEORGE ID. JOHNSON,
Commissioners