Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-17
CIVIL SERVICE REFoRM gxTsNsmN

00 lONs
The announcement by the postmaster
general that hereafter fourth class post
masters win not be removed from office
except for ineficiency or misconduct and
that the department will no longer con-
slider these places as political patronage,
will be heartily approved by the $4,000
-postmasters of the fourth class through
out the country. 1t will also have the
very general approval of the friends of
civil service reform, who will regard It
as a very proper application of the re-
form which can hardly fail to have a
good effect. 1t is quite in accord with
the presidents views respecting the
merit system and undoubtedly to him
belongs the credit of this departure from
the old policy. Indeed, it is noted that
when Mr.. Roosevelt was a member of
the civil service commission he often
discussed the idea Of placing the fourth
class postofices under the civil service
rules, but it then seemed a task too
great to be undertaken. Conditions are
now more favorable for such a change
Of policy.
1t is not contemplated to make the
new regulation strictly applicable to
cases where senators or representatives
have already asked for changes In
fourth class postofices. 1t Is stated not
to be the intention OF the department to
run counter to senators and representa-.
tives in carrying the new policy into
execution. Therefore where changes
have been contemplated, or where there
are promises outstanding to make
changes, the department will give them
full and fair consideration. Whenever
a senator or representative hereafter
shall call at the department TO urge a
change In a fourth class Office the new
policy VIII be called to his attention and
he will be urged to allow the depart
ment plan to proceed in its own way.
1t is to be expected that the spollsmen
will kick vigorously against this change,
but it is said that the president and
postmaster general expect it to meet
with all the encouragement necessary
to establish 1t successfully and per-
manently. The civil service reform
principle has encountered opposition
from the spoils politicians at every step
81 Its progress and there is still a goOdly
number of such politicians. They mani
fest their hostility to the reform at
every session OF congress. Only two
days ago a United States senator de-
clared that he is opposed to the system
from start to finish. But the principle
has the support OF Intelligent public
opinion and IL will assuredly get no set
back from the present administration,
President Roosevelt being one of its
strongest and irmest friends.
The rule that fourth class postmaster
will not be removed except for inef.
hcieney or misconduct is reasonably ex.
pected to prove Of benefit TO the service
IL is believed that its effect will be Il
induce fourth class postmasters 10 exer
else greater care and take more Interest
In the service, thus conducting 10 NOR.
efficiency. At all events. the postal ser
vice cannot suffer any injury from tn,
new policy, while it is a very notabI.
extension Of the civil service reform
principle. Reducing the number of OF
hees that have served for political pat
ronage TO the extent of 1900 is a cir
eumstance Of more than ordinary ia
n terest