The evening times., 1896-11-27
POSTMASTERS ARE AFRAID
In Doubt Of What Republican OFF,
cials May Do.
Want the President to Protect
Them-The Civil Service.

Fourth-ciass postmasters throughout the
United States are fearful that the incoming
administration will resume the policy of
eight years ago, and institute general
beheading OF postmastcrs. Accordingly a
large number of these officials have again
agitated the question of bringing the four, H.
class poStoffices under the protection of
tie classified service, and dcterntineu
effort is being made To have the President
issue an executive order To this effect,
says the Brooklyn Eagle.
systematic plan is being worked TO bring
this about. The Fourth-Class Postmaster,
the official organ OF the postmasters, is
circulating "a petition throughout the cuun-
try, asking for the extension OF the civ IL
service rules, SO AS To include these Of
fees. This paper is receiving thousands
OF sigDers. The various congressman are
being urged To use their influence with the
President, and, altogether, every string is
being pulled by the postmasters and their
friends.
I For the past twelve years or more 1t has
been customary for the incoming President
t. make wholesale dismissals OF fourth
class postmasters ana to fill the vacancies
thrs caused with men Of his own political
belief. During President Cleveland's first
administration Adiai Z. Stevenson, as the
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General,
earned for himself the name of AXman on
account of tue vigorous manner in which
he Topped off the official heads of the
postnasters of the smaller offices.
1t was nothing unusual for 200 removals
t. bc made in Il single day. and the record
was kept up until more than 10000 Re
publicans had been turned ont and their
positions filled with Democrats. Gen.
Clarkson followed the same course under
j resident Harrison, and all Of the DcniD-
Gratis who have been appointed under Pres
ideut Cleveland were sunnmariiy elected
from office. but when MIR. Cleveland was
again elected the Republican fourth class
pOstmasters were retired as rapidly as
the department could make the changes
and put Democrats in their places. With
these changes still fresh in their minds,
thC present iDcumhcnts of these positions
are anxious to see the protecting arm OF
the civil service extended To cover their
offices.
The postoffice officials do not exactly
favor this scheme, however, claiming that
th, civil service rules aS now constituted are
hot adapted To fourth class poStmaSters
The salaries OF offices of this class range
from $ To $1,000 n year or the 60,sO0
fuurtig-Ciass postoffices, 900 pay less
tran So per ann,ln, while there are 20
oOU more that pay less than $50 a year.
tine remuneration Of the postTnasteTs ue-
pending on the number of stamps THAI are
Cancelled at each respective office during
the twelve months. Under these conditions
ii would he hard to establish a set of rules
that could cover all appointments to these
positions, as in some cases 1t is often riff
cult for the department to get suita bic per-
sons To acceptthe offices ON account of the
small salary attached to them.
The Civil Service Commissioners also
believe that the present rules of the service
are not adapted to fuurth-class posto;f'ccs.
In speaking ofthis subject today, "A member
of the Civil Service Commission said:
''Our present machinery is not in cond-
toa To take care of the large number Of
fourth-class postnffices. They present too
MANY phases TO be grouped together and
governed by one set of rules ! would sue
gesi that the bes planto ref,rm the foUrt H.
class postoff!ce system would he to apply.
so far rs possible, the consolidation scheme
that has been introduced So successfully
! would divide the 90 900 offices into two
classes, into one Of which / would place
the offices paying less than $500 Il year
l would O. nsOlidate these offices with the
nearest large postofficc and place clerk
Ia charge. who is to be- appointed either
by the postmaster at the main office Jr py
the Postnfficc Department
The balanc OF the ruurth-class post
offices would place in the classified ser
Wee. This scheme. ] believe coull be
successfully operated, and would in time
prove of great economy to the gOvernIn Int
l hh se no doubt that the incoming admins
tration will make wholesale rem Dvals
among the fuurth-ClasS poStrnaste but
there Will also be larg" number of changes
iIom ether causes There will be many
voluntary resignations. while other pOst-
masters will be forced to get out Of orf:cc
because of the complaints of patrons.''