Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-14
My GUT Patronage
Politicians Alarmed at New Pol
icy Adopted by the Post.
master General.
Fourth. Class Postmasters Will
Not Be Removed Except for
Proper Cause.
Changes Will Not Be Made Ex-
cent on Charges Preferred
and Substantiated.

| Washington, Feb. 14.-Postmaster
General Payne has adopted a new poll
cy In relation to changes in the offices
| of fourth-class postmasters. Hereafter
| the fourth class postmaster will not
be removed at the suggestion or re-
quest of members of congress. national
committeeman or thru other political
or personal influences. Changes Will not
be made in these positions except upon
charges preferred and substantiated,
| so long as the postmaster performs his
duties properly.
The policy of the postmaster general
has not been made the subject of an Of
fetal oredr or regulation of the depart
ment but he has expressed 1t as his de-
sire that this policy be carried out in
dealing with appointments Of fourth
class postmasters. He has expressed
himself as being strongly opposed to
the smack of the spoils system that at
taches to frequent changes in the ranks
of the postmasters of the fourth class.
The purpose OF the order is to prevent
changes from being made after every
election. In many states there are fac
lions of the party in power, which sue
coed each other in control of the state,
county and congressional organizations.
Each change OF this kind has been fol-
lowed with requests from the success
full congressman and party committee
men for changes in large number of
fot h. ri ufar
for this class of offices are appointed to
indefinite terms and are subject to re-
moval ait any time upon the order of the
fourth assistant postmaster general.
Most of the present incumbents in the
fourth-class postoffices were appointed
during the first administration of Pres
ldent Mckinley. A very large majority
of them were retained during his sec
ond administration. altho many changes
were made in some of the states, owing
to the success of factions which did not
have control of the state organizations
during his fiji st term. 1t is the purpose
of Mr.. Payne to put an end, so far as
possible. to these changes. 1t is not pro-
posed that changes In offices of this
class will not be made, upon the recon-
mendation of political leaders In the
districts. but something more will be
required to effect change than the de-
sire of congressman and political lead
ers to reward their political friends. Mr..
Payne contends that 1t is neither good
policy nor good politics to make such
changes without cause.
The fact that the new policy had been
decided upon became known and caused
much discussion among members of the
house. The new members looked upon
the decision as a curtailment of the
patronage privilege. and many of them
were disposed to criticise the wisdom of
the policy. Older members, however,
approve of the action. They state that
the system of making changes In the
fourth class postoffices has always been
productive of political trouble. and are
pleased with the prospect of being re-
lieved of the annoyance that comes
from applications for such changes.
The effect of the decision of the post
master general is to place the fourth
class postmaster under civil service pro-
lection during republican administers
lions SO far that they can not be re-
moved unless sustained charges are
made against them.