The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-09
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L u Coffee Cools.

The recent postoflico appointment at
Moscow would seem to Offer favor
able illustration for the use of people
who argue that postmasters should be
elected by the people instead OF being
appointed by the president. The fact
that au unpopular person without
qualification can through the influence
Of political party leaders supplant a
faithful and deservedly popular public
servant is obnoxious in this land of
government by the people The Mos-
COW postoffice case furnishes one OF the
most fragrant examples of the evils of
the political patronage system on rec.
ord. Previous to the first election OF
Grover Cleveland, Miss SuO Pyle, an
estimahle young lady. was appointed
postmistrsss of Moscow. Miss Pyle,
nero girl, who at the death OF her
father and mother had been left with
several younger brothers and sisters to
care for, received the hearty endorse
ment OF the good citizens OF Moscow
regardless Of political faith and creed.
During Cleveland's first reign differ
en5 class Of men had contro! of the
patronage in this locality and the sug-
gestion of ousting the young girl who
was struggling to provide for her little
brothers and sisters, it seems, was not
even thought Of.
Miss Pyle served through the Cleve-
land and Harrison administrations and
Al 90 l,a t,,ff fftpo
were ever conducted in businesslike
manner. Each day the young post
mistress could be found at her post
faithfully guarding the trust repOsed
in her. and 80 far as is known no conf
plgint has ever been made against the
service rendered. At the second elec-
ton Of Cleveland the average citizen
had no thought that Miss Pyle's posi-
tion was in danger, They did not bA.
lieve that man could be found in
Moscow who would seek under existing
circumstances to drive woman from
an Office, and the friends Of Miss Pyle
in both parties never thought it worth
their while TO inquire il an application
for the Office had been filed.
In this, however, they vera deceived
For during the past few years an in
dividual living in Moscow by the
name of Erhardt had been secretly
longing to occupy the position by
which the orphar girl had gainsl
livelihood for hersalf and the little
ones lett in her care. So far as be as
certained, Erhardt is not representa-
tive citizen Of Moscow. He had never
been known to enter the Moscow post
office until after his appointment. In
fact about the only qualification for
appointment he seemed to possess was
his acknowledgment OF the d mocratc
faith. At II convention held In this
city Erhardt, as 4 delegate, represented
the handful Of Moscow Democrats.
He was fortunate in holding some
thing like the balance Of power be-
| tween two factions OF the unterri-
fed. Eo cast his vote in the interest
OF tho faction which today controls
Lackawanna county patronage.
As soon as the plums began to be
distributed under the Cleveland admin
istration, Erhhardt secretly made an
application for tho Moscow post Office.
His claim was not backed by the in
dorsement Of his fellow citizens Of
Moscow; it was not based upon import
ant service that he had ever performed
for his country or the Democratic
party. But he could vote and Miss
Pyle could not. Oa the strength OF
the convention ballot, it is said Err
hardt demanded and secured the ap-
pointment, and four weeks ago the
young lady who has served as postmis-
tress to the satisfaction Of nll, was
thrown out of employment to make II
place for the man who had "pull "
So secretly was the whole business
transacted that even Postmaster Wand
ling, of this city. did not know of the
change until the appointment had been
officially announced. Tue indignation
Of Moscow citizens has been very great
over the affair, and sort Of boycott
against the posioffice has been establish.
ed by many leading business men who
mail letters on the trains and uso the
office as little as possible. The leaders
are chagrined over the storm that has
been raised, and in suggesting future
appointments will probably consult
the wishes of their constituents before
clinching bargain.