Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-22

ty stand by the administration, while the
Ledger, Record and Times and other indie
pendent and Democratic papers are taking
the side of Mr.. Waamaker. The conSs-
quence may be noticed in their advertising
columns. The Ledger. Record and Telegram
have large display advertisements from Mr..
Wanamakerts store every day. because
they have stood by him faithfully when
evil minded men have attacked his repu-
tation. and they have encouraged and as
sisted him in the pursuit of political honors.
The Press, Inquirer. North American and
Bulletin get 10 advertising whatever from
the .Wanamaker establishment, although
they We're formerly his favorite papers. He
shut them off several weeks ago on the
theory that lie could not afford TO furnish
the sinews OF war TO his political enemies.
The publishers of these papers say, how
ever. that the absence of Mr.. Wanamak-
ers advertisements from their columns has
increased rather than diminished their in
Gomez. because other merchants in The city
who have not been in the habit of spread
ing their announcements over much space
are now coming UP in great shape and buy
ing columns where they formerly took only
a stickful. Is the Philadelphia Times is
only half-hearted in its Endorsement of the
great merchant. IL only gets half a loaf of
patronage. The tone of the Times edi-
torials and the treatment of the political
events in its news columns. which are
variable. regulate the size of the advertise
ments Mr.. Wanamaker sends in.
A municipal election was held in Philadel-
phia last Tuesday, in which the anti-Quay
faction won. and thus secured control of
the purity organization. which Is Very i'm
portant. as it dictates the nominations and
runs the election machinery. A few days
before the event the Wanamaker news
papers published i circumstantial account
of an alleged case of bulldozing on the part
of the postmaster. 1t was charged that he
had called the chief subordinate in his
Office for a conference and delivered a lee
ture upon their duties as citizens and indi-
viduals. in which they were advised that
the tenure of their employment depended
upon their political influence and activity,
and that they were afforded Il good chance
to display ii in behalf of the Quay ticket
at the approaching election.
This publication, of course, caused a great
deal of excitement among the politicians.
and particularly among the mugwumps and
civil service reformers. as il was interpret
ed to mean that the administration was an
1i-Wanamaker. and was permitting the use
OF official patronage and power to secure
his defeat. The publication undoubtedly
cost the Quay candidates a large number of
votes. Complaint was made to Washington
by both sides. and two Investigations Were
ordered. one by the postmaster general and
the other by the civil service commission.
In the latter case a volunteer committee
consisting of William Dudley Foulke. of In
dianapolis; Charles Jerome Bonaparte, of
Baltimore, and Richard Henry Dana, OF
Boston. was authorized 10 conduct the in
quiry. while the postotfice department in
trusted that duty TO an ordinary special
agent. The great have not Yet
completed their report but ii is expected
daily. The poStofiiCe inspector finds that
no such meeting as described in the Wan
amaker newspapers was ever held, that no
such speech was ever made. and that the
postmaster carefully ahStained from any
attempt 10 control the votes or political
conduct of his subordinates. Affidavit
signed by every man who WAS represented
tn have been present AT the meeting have
been submitted 10 that effect. and fully ac-
quit the postmaster. 1t now appears that
u man by the name of McDevitt gave the
anti-Quay managers the formati upon
doing was based. and il appears TO have
been an invention of his own. McDeritt
made a partial confession and endeavored
TO implicate u fellow clerk of the name of
Murphy. The latter admits that he talked
the matter over with McDevitt. but swears
that he had nothing To do with the publ
cation.
1t IS understood that the civil service re-
formers who are making the other invcsti-
CATION have ascertained that although tile
published accounts were incorrect. there
was some foundation Cor them. II is ex-
pected that they will report that the post
master did make an address. and that I'M
mediately after persons known 10 be in his
confidence circulated among the employees
and explained that be was speaking from
q political standpoint when he said that
their tenure would depend upon good con-
duct and efficiency.
one interesting feature of this fight Is an
attempt on the part of the Quay faction 10
secure the removal OF the sub-station of the
postofhce from Mr.. Wanamaker's store.
postmaster general. They complain that it
is only three or four blocks from the main
postofice and Is therefore unnecessary for
ruhlic convenience. while IL affords him a
decided advantage over his mercantile CON-
rftitors by drawing trade. They contend
that II the government keeps a branch office