The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-12-02
VILLAGE POSTMASTERS.
An Effort to Have Them Placed Under
the Classified Service.
TIE PgEsIDEET ASKED 10 DO SO.
Decided Last Year That Such Change Was
Eot Practicable.
-ron the Public Ledger.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 23-AnOther at
tempt viii be made this winter to per-
suade President Cleveland to issue an
order placing the village postmasters OF
the entire country under the classified
service. 50 as TO prevent the removal OF
the present fncumbents by the next adj
Ininistration. but il is doubtful whether
he viii consent % 90 %. 1t would be
considered rather undignifed tor him to
make such a sweeping and radical change
in the system that has prevailed from the
beginning Of the government just al the
expiration Of his term. and he would lay
himself open to the charge OF INTENTIONAL
IL depriving his successor OF patronage
he had himself enjoyed in order to pro-
tect his own appointees. II IS an open
secret that Mr.. Cleveland had this matter
under consideration last year, and then
decided that such change was not prac-
gicable. The objections that existed then
still exist.
THE ONLY CHANGE.
The only change IN conditions is that a
Republican President has been elected
and nearly all the fourth class postmast-
ers are now likely to be replaced with
Republicans a. last as their terms expire
Il Is for this reason that the movement
has been recently revived with even
more energy than ever. even blank petit
tions are being sent TO all persons who are
likely TO favor the cause, asking them 20
sign them and forward them 10 the Pres
ident. Postmaster General Wilson and
his assistants, Jones and Maxwell, who
have had the matter in charge, and have
made thorough investigation, do not
favor a general order, for they do not
believe it would work well particularly
in sparsely settled districts, but they have
been gradually taking into the classified
service all the fourth class offices TO which
they think ii can properly apply.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
There has been an enormous change in
the civil service during the last four
years. While it Is true that President
Cleveland filled the barn with Democratic
horses before he locked the door, he has
done great good, which Major Mckinley
ought 10 appreciate, 10y reducing the pat
rouage formerly distributed by Presidents
- the very lowest possible minimum.
Nearly 5000 offices, which have hitherto
been dispensed as rewards for political
servic q, within the last two years have
been placed beyond the reach Of spoils
men, and 75,,344 altogether are now under
the civil service rules, 70 be iiled only by
competitive examination and promotion
for merit. Before the 4th Of March four
OF hve thousand more viii be added To
this number. inclUding 4O19 pension sur
ge0us. who viii % on the list as soon as
the clerks al headquarters can IL axe out
the papers.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS.
There VIII be a great deal ofastonish
ment and chagrin among the faithful Re-
publican campaign workers who viii
come TO Washington with letters ofrecom-
menda.ion. after the inauguration next
spring. to ind that President Mckinley
viii have les than 200 good appointments
at his disposal, instead OF the S).OO0 that
have usually been The alimony of the ex-
ecltive: and among these 700 are many
which viii not y-mpt the ordinary Office
seeker. ike blacksmiIhs. butchers. teach
ers and policemen on Indian reservations.
keepers of national cemeteries, light
house attendants. etc. There are s,63S
laborers, watchmen. etc, under the va
rious branches of the government, who
may be selected from private life without
examination. There are 4sl5 appoint
ments confirmed 10y the senate which are
within the Presidents gift, although. if
Major Mckinley respects Mr.. Cleveland's
order OF September -, 1886. placing all
the consular officers whose salaries do
not exceed $500 under the civil service
rules. this number viii be considerably
reduced. II was the intention Of the
( President TO protect the rank and Tile of
the consular service. and make it possible
only TO Ill vacancies 10y promotion or 10y
competitive examination. Major McIlin-
ley VIII subject himselfto criticism if he
takes a backward step in this matter, and
7 do not believe he VIII. although he can
improve the service by cleaning out
large number of the consuls who were
appointed by Josiah Quincy and filling
their places with better men. J. c.
''For three years 7 suffered from Salt
Bheum. It covered my hands TO such an
extent that I could not wash them. Two
bottles of BurdocS Blood Bnters cured
me" L5b5.e Young. Pope-s Mills, ST.
Lawrence county. y. Y.