The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-12-28
No SMOOTH SAILING .
The Civil Service Rules Must
be Respected.
A KANSAS CASE IN POINT
President Cleveland Removes Demo
cratic Postmaster at Topeka For Placing
Too Liberal Construction on the Rules
and Removing Republican Carriers.

A few days ago the HERALD stated that
the Shenandoah clerical and carrier force
would continue in the service in the absence
of voluntary designations or removals for
cause, and that the cause would have to be a
bona fide one. 1t was stated at the same
time that any attempt on the part of the new
postmaster to violate the civil service law
would meet with prompt dismissal and the
appointment of a successor
These remarks Were not directed asathreat
or challenge, and were not directed to Mr.,
Mellet in particular because that gentleman
was not appointed at that time. They were
simply a general construction of the declara-
tions of President Cleveland and Postmaster
General Bsse
Our esteemed contemporary, the Sunday
Nelos, very naturally differed with the state
ment and in its last issue said
owe guess not. The new postmaster can
and will, for the good of he SERVICE appoint
new clerks and new carriers No sensible
postmaster wants himself surrounded with
people of opposite political affiliations, and no
administration Of his own faith either ex-
poets or demanded him to do it. The HER
Alb should brush itself up Oh actual civil ser.
vice rules and the carriers and clerks would
do well to be on the lookout for new jo s."
Just what the Netos means by actual civil
service rules the HERALD is not prepared to
say, but it will undertake to cite an actual
occurrence which seems to sustain the asser.
ton which called forth the reply.
Shortly after his inauguration as President
Nr t,I Z
postmaster at Topeka Kansas. Mr.. Thomss
guided by actual civil service rules and
dislike for having himself surrounded with
people of opposite political affiliations" i'm
mediately dismissed all the carriers and other
employees in the Topeka office to make room
for his Democratic friends, who, by the way
had not passed civil service examination.
Mr.. Thomas action caused great hue and
cry and he was threatened with removal, but
convinced that "no administration of his own
faith eithor expects or demands that he
should be surrounded with people of opposite
political affiliations" Thomas only laughed al
the threats He declared that he was tho
boss, knew what he was doing and, being an
influential Democrat, felt sure that the Presi.
dent and Postmaster General would not mind
"a little thing like that"
But Mr.. Thomas was mistaken. Charges
against him, alleging violations of the civil
service law, were made by the Civil Service
Commission and then brought to the atten
tiOn of the Postmaster. General.
One of the last acts of President Cleveland,
before taking himself and family away to
Lakewood for the Christmas holidays was to
remove Frank s. Thomas and appoint A
J. Arnold ia his steld, as postmaster of Tope,
ka, Kansas.
1t would, perhaps, be well if the NelgS
would brush itself up on true civil service
rules and the declarations Of President Cleve-
land and Postmaster. General Bissel in regard
to them