New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-11
ROBERTS ENUMERATED.
BROOKLYN POSTMASTER FOUND NOT
GUILTY OF WILFULLY VIOLATING
TIE CIVIL SERVICE LAW

Washington. March 1O.-The Civil Service
Commission has adopted a report generating
Postmaster Roberts of Brooklyn from any viii
full violations of the Civil Service law and rules.
as charged by the National Civil Service Reform
League The report was made by Commissioner
Fouke. who investigated the charges. The re-
port says that in general the remedy for the
irregularities complained of ought to be sought
in a registration system for laborers and in a
reduction Of the number of excepted places.
both OF which measures. it is hoped. Will be
adopted at no very distant day. II adds:
All the dismissals made by Postmaster Rob
erts from positions which were not in the
classified service at all TO Wit. laborers in the
BROOKLYN Postofice. or from positions in the
excepted class not subject the rule which
requires that no removal shall be made except
for just cause and upon notice for reasons given
in writing The postmaster had a right 10 make
these removals for any other cause Whatever
except political. which seemed 10 him sufficient
and il is not for the commission TO review the
proprIety of his decision. The postal regula-
lions very properly provide that employees
should not offend by ObtrUsive partsanshlp, nor
assume the active conduct OF political cam
pagns. This applies with equal force TO all fac
tional struggles within any political party as
well as to contests between different political
parties
At the time Mr. Roberts took possession of the
Brooklyn Postolf1ce a factional struggle had
been going on in Brooklyn. in the &NIth Assem-
bly, District. between William j. Taylor. former
assistant postmaster al Brooklyn. and Naval
Officer Sharkey. The adherents Of the Taylor
faction We're many of them employees Of the
postoffice. and their political organization. the
Imperial Club Postmaster Roberts was in
formed actively participated in the affairs Of
the postoffice nd improperly Influenced appoint
ments and promotions therein. Upon the dis
mssal reduction in rank of certain employees
belonging to this club a number Of its members
took active measures to have charges preferred
against his administration of the office. The
members Of this club were actively interfering
with the mana cement Of the Brooklyn Post
Office There We're fifteen Iaborers in that office
nearly all Of whom lived in the Twtnty-tfth
Ward the residence Of Mr.. Taylor. and most
OF whom belonged to this club. Ten Of these
aborers were removed by Postmaster Roberts.
Postmaster Roberts had the right 10 consider
that the influence Of such club was injurious
to the administration of the postofice, and that
the men who belonged to it and took active
part in this factonal fight ought 10 be dismissed.
The commission says that political considera-
lions appear to have had some influence in the
appointment OF the men who took the places
OF those removed which is stamped as undeslr-
able but not forbidden by any law or rule so
far as laborerS are concerned. The statement
that nobody in the pOstoftice reduced be-
cause he was d Democrat is accepted as true.