Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-18
Favoritism in Appointments.

Mr.. TulIoch then cites Endorsements by
Mr. Beavers and Mr.. Machen of the Eco
nomic Postal Association as an investment
proposition over the question of favor
itism in appointments he says:
"Oliver H. Smith of Muncie, Ind, was
an intimate friend and associate of Perry
| S. Heath . The latter, November ~, 1885,
wrote as follows TO the washington posl-
master: 800
~ have this day allowed you 5000 per
| annum to provide for the appointment or
| Oliver H. Smith as laborer at the several
stations connected with your office. Mr..
Smith will act in a dual capacity, serving
| both clerks and carriers. The free delivery
division will also make an allowance of
| 81 per dav to cover carfareS and incidental
| EXPENSES for Mr.. Smith who is, 1 believe,
| to report to you the morning OF the 23d
| instant. This is the gentleman whose ap-
| pontment has been frequently recommend
| ed by you
"Mr Heath i,sed the expression at your
request or in accordance with your rec
| ommendation,' in connection with many
| appointments concerning winch the post
| master was entirely ignorant and for whose
| services, if he received theH at all, he
| had no use or need.
| December Is, 1897, Mr.. Heath wrote:
Mr. oliver H. Smith has been detailed
to assist in repairing, paintlhg ana erec.,
| ing street letter boxes. He Will be paid
| through your office at the rate of y per
| day for every working day, commencing
November 3D.
| Maid from the allowance for clerk hire
| a fund under the salary and allowance d.
vision; in the second, he is palo as per
| diem mechanic from the allowance FOR
| repairing street letter boxes, fund under
| the free delivery service and audited by
| different clerks in the Treasury Depart
| ment person faithfully performing the
duties of the one would pc unable TO devote
| fun time to the other. Mr.. Smith did very
| little of either. During The summer of
1898 Mr.. Smith was in service at Camp
| Alger. Va, in connection with the mill
| tary postal service:
"A clerk in my office, Charles w. Nc
| Whorter informed me that an employee in
| the mailing division. whose name he gave
at the time had told him he had been
approached by another empioye, recently
| he had been authorized to pick out seven
men in the mailing division for promotion
| July /. 1899, provided those promoted
| would divide with high offtclals in the Post
Office Department ~
| The Complimentary Roll.
ION account of the intimate relations be-
| tween the department and the Washington
| office verbal directions often accompanied
| the written orders and were far more in
| teresting. For example the postmaster one
| day brought me an allowance of the first
| assistant postmaster general, salary and
| allowance division, July 81, 1898, appoint
! ing emma James and Fannie r. Winans as
| cleaners, or charwomen, for one year from
| July /, 1898, at 5000 per annum. Handing
me the allowance, he stated 1t was the
| order of the department that the names of
| the women should not appear upon any pay
roll that the parties designated should not
| know that the other was In receipt of any
| money or had any connection with the
| Office He also stated that neither of them
| was expected to report for any duty. This
| complimentary roll was added to later"
Mr. TulIoch says that the classification
| act of March 2, 1885, was ignored by First
| Assistant Postmaster General Heath, and
| that sundry persons designated finance
| clerks. auditors, ETC., were paid Illegally
| from 5000 to $500 each per annum over their
| lawful salaries
With only one or two exceptions the APP