The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-05
PosTMAsTERs' LEAGUE.
Progress of the Movement in Min
nesOta.

Progress of the Movement in Min
To the Editor Of the Globe.
Minnesota postmasters have found In the
G | b e warm sympathiZer in their move
ment for national organization. | there
fore send you this little sketch OF the prog
ress of our movement to date. AS secre-
tary of our Minnesota branch, can give
you reliable statement of facts that may
interest your readers,
But first let me announce that our first
state. convention will open at the Merchants
hotel, i'll st. Paul, on Wednesday, Dec. 8,
at 10 a. m. AS large proportion of post
masters cannot get away from their offices
even to attend a convention, it is hoped that
every person so situated will send to H. G.
Schramm, assistant corresponding secretary,
Cottage Grove, MIMI. letter Of regret in
closing, If not already member, % cents,
as his initiation fee a member of the North
Star league. The public will judge of the
Importance of our movement largely from the
showing made at this convention; therefore
every postmaster and assistant postmaster
who can possibly attend should make per-
sonal sacrifice to do so. A call by postal
card for the convention is being mailed to
each postmaster in the state, but should it
fail TO reach him he is expected just the
same.
The first suggestion for a national league
OF fourth-class postmasters came from d.
Med Lindsey. editor of the Fourth-Class
Postmaster, published at 603 Louisiana ave-
hue, Washington, ID. c. He ISSUED the first
number of his paper in September. 1885,
There are over $4,000 fourth-class postmasters
in the United States, and as many more as
S1stants. Their Offices have hundreds of
thousands of patrons dependent on them for
the proper handling of their mall The post
masters are brought into close contact with
the business affairs of their patrons and
not unffequently are cogniZant of their most
sacred private domestic affairs. These Off
prudent and absolutely trustworthy. The
most sacred interests, both public and pri-
Vate, demand that they be selected and re-
tatned in office solely on their merits. Yet
we ind them the victims Of a nonsensical
and scandalous spoils system the mere crea-
lures of contending political parties, placed
IN office for partisan services rendered, or
kicked out to make room for some man who
controlled so many votes in a previous cleo
ton, and sold them for promised political
appointment.
Mr.. Lindsey sought to arouse this vast
army from its lethargic sleep, wisely foresee-
ing that if once awakened to a sense of it's
own power; it would sweep everything before
IL as the autumn wind scatters the dead leaves
in it's path. few subscribers rallied to his
support; the vast majority slumbered on in
blissful Inconsistencies of their own slavery.
But he perseYered. In January, 1895, he had
the Cummings and Hardy bills introduced in
congress to secure for postmasters some ade-
quate compensation for the responsible SER
vices required of them. These bills were
read twice, ordered printed, and referred to
| the committee on post offices, where they
rest at present. Our energetic editor next
explained the principles on which it is based,
pointed out its wonderful success in improv-
ing the efficiency of the public service and
in protecting competent men in their tenure
or once and urged the postmasters to sign
petitions, and to get signatures from their
patrons asking that the law be extended to
them. This movement has been a complete
surprise to many by bringing to the sur
face an almost universal and unanimous pub
lie sentiment in favor of the civil service
law. Next followed personal interviews with
individual members of the civil service COM
mission. They entered heartily into the
movement, and drew up and submitted to the
department a plan for sweeping the entire
body of fourth-class postmasters into the
civil service ranks. The postal authorities
warmly welcomed the suggestion, but de-
clared the plan submitted too complicated to
meet the requirements of fourth-claSs offices,
and referred 1t back for notifications. This
mas now been done, and a practical test will
be made in filling vacancies now awaiting
action. Ii the test proves satisfactory the or
DER viii be laid before President Cleveland
Tor his signature. The precise situation now
is simply this: The present administration
actually presents to US a plan already drawn
up and asks: Do you want this or not
II you DO just step up and say so; if you
L don I, then pack your grip and prepare to
vacate, for what you will not ask for you
VIII not get. Take it or leave it; the game
is in your own hands
And all Of this time where are the post
masters? few of Mr.. Lindsey's subscrib-
ers began to gather here and there into little
III.
another. But it was not until last August
that Minnesota began to move in earnest
All through the excitement of the recent
political campaign the movement went quietly
on, ignoring party politics, aiming steadily
at one object, viz: organization for the pro-
lection of cur own interests and the improve
ment of the public service. In August we
| began our work with IA members residing in
| four counties; now we have nearly $50 resid-
| ing in 81 counties in Minnesota. In August
| " counties had no members in the ranks
in fhn 71IoI1
/ has been accomplished by a handful Of men
| practically without financial resources to
properly push the work. Three county
| branches exist in Minnesota. There are
| local organizations in about then other states
| At the convention next week it is hoped that
| thoroughly organized state league will be
| put in the field, arrangements made to Sc
| cure county branch in each county, the
movement brought to the notice of our Min
| nesota congressman, and committee or
national organization appointed who will take
4 off their coats and drive that portion of the
work rapidly on to completion.
/ Each postmaster and his assistant now,
whether he attends the convention or not
! is asked to send Is cents to the North Star
| league for current expenses, one dollar sub
scription to The Fourth Glass Postmaster q
personal letter to the civil service commits
| sion, Washington, D. c., asking that the Law
| be extended to us, and a petition from the
| patrons of his office, regardless of politics
creed or color, making the same request. This
| is not much to ask, but it must be done al
| once. Do not wait for personal appeal.
1 thank the o for the space allowed
me, and trust that the postmasters of Mime
| sofa will ever show a grateful appreciation
| of the practical sympathy that it has ex.
| tended to us from the very beginning of oul
| movement.
| 1 will merely add, in reply to certain news
| paper correspondents who seem to prefer
| guesses to facts, that this movement is no
| a post-election movement designed to keel
| certain individuals in Office, or prevent GER
| tain rivals from supplanting us, or to advance
mere personal schemes for individual benefit
but an honest effort, started over year ago
to establish an organization which, while
| protecting our own interests, will greatly i'm
prove and elevate the public service; move
| ment which we confidently expect wiz appea
straight to the hearts of all true citizens am
enlightened statesmen, and draw to US thei
cordial sympathy and support
Lorenzo J. Markoe
Recording Secretary North Star League.
White Bear, Mimi. Dec. 2, 1896.