Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-12
Ma. BIsSgLL ON HIS PLANS.
Postmasters to he Removed Only on
Proof Of Grave Charges.
fsnacinl to the New York WorId.l

lRINNH-
W~isE1yGToy. March 10.-Mr. Cleveland's
policy of refusing TO reappOint his old Of
fice-holders will be extended TO every
branch of the government service. In the
Post.Ofice Department IN particular the
rule will be s~crupuIOUsiy observed, u
the ciyll-service principle OF permitting
rostmasters appointed for four years 10
serve their full terms Will govern the
POstmasSer-General in oil cnses except
whore grave charges or gross inconpe-
tency are proven.
prominent western congressman
called on Postmaster-Genera BlsseIl this
afternoon TO obtain certain information
regarding .he distribution OF postofhce
appointments in his state. Mr.. Bisseli
listened 10 the congressman's statements
courteously and then proceeded 10, out
line very clearly the policy or the admin
istration. What Mr.. Blsseil seld VIII be
read with much interest not only bv post
masters and applicants for post-ofhces,
hut by all persons interested in the eXecu-
ton of the cIvil-seIvice law according 10
its spirit as well as its letter.
On the subject OF removals Mr.. Blssell
said {" II is not the Intention OF the ad-
mInlstration TO remove any postInasters
until their term of Office has expired, ex-
cept for serious cause"
"Will offensive partnership be accepta-
BILE cause" was asked.
II do not say il will not" said Mr.. Bis
| cell. a. but every Gaze will have 10 stand
upon It's own merits, and 1t will have TO be
O grave case before n removal VIII DC
made. The mere fact that q postmaster
| has taken interest IN the work OF his party
will not, / think, be considered suticient
| cause, but. as l said before. every case
must stand by itself. Complaints OF III
| competency, neglect of business. or aOso-
| Int misuse of position wall certainly re-
ceive attention.
Mr.. Bissell was asked what form Of ap,
pllcation tor fourth-class postmasters had
been adopted for the department. He re-
piled Send in all applications and they
will be considered"
but how about the recommendations
! of congressman in the districts ="
lyon had better send in all the recon-
~mendations and petitions and put your
| own endorsement on any one that you
| please" was the Postmaster-GencraFs re-
Would it not be better to lot the repre-.
| sentative decide what petitions he Will
| forward and thus settle itE"
That might settle i, for you." replied
Mr.. Bissell, " but If Won think 1t would
settle 1t for us You are mistaken. OtheI
people might object. For instance. / bad
q call to-day from a gentleman from Mis-
/ BULL VIM M0lANOA ~ hAbN 81 w. hHHs W.
TO have the distribution of all the
patronage in the district and who
thought that every person should bt
gwen an opportunity to present his case,
If due weight IS 10 be given TO the recon-.
mendatlon OF a congressman no harm Will
be done by the presentation OF petitions
and certainly there should not be any 90,
lection TO an expression of the wishes oil
the community in anY FORM"
Tho Postmaster-Gener added that the
department had promulgated n genera
rule under which ~post-ofiices would not
be given to keepers of stores. Sir bissel
SAID that he did not mean that the rule
should apply TO small villages II distant
States. where, unless some store
kceper would handle the mail no
one could be induced TO accept the Office
but he did most emphatically intend t.
refuse to appoint any postmasters. presi
dental or otherwise, who would not give
their personal attention TO tho business OF
handling the mail and who simply de
sired TO secure the Office as an advertise
mont for their business.