Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-03
CASE OF MISS TODD
Importance Of Action Of Post
master General.
NULLIFY RULING
FOR PROTECTION OF FOURTH.
CLASS PosTMAsTERs.
Appeal to Be Made to President and
Fight Will Be Carried to
the Senate.

The controversy over the removal OF MISS
Huldah B. Todd, postmistress OF Green
wood, Sussex county. Del, by the Post
master General, without written charges
being preferred against her and because she
was particularly and personally obnox-
ious'' to Senator Alice, is likely to have far
greater consequences than would usually
accompany an action relating to small
office. 1t is entirely likely that the fight so
for carried on between Senators Alice ana
Ball of Delaware, representatives OF the
Addicks and anti-Addicks men, will be car
ried to the President and then to the
United States Senate next winter. especial
ly If something is not done to pacify Sena-
tor Ball before the meeting of Congress.
There has not been a clear understanding
as to this question which has sprung into
Importance in a few days. When Senator
Ball was the republican representativ tive-at-
large of Delaware, and when there were no
United States senators from that state oc-
cupying seats in the Senate. he had all the
patronage of the state. So it happens that
all the fourth-class postmasseFs practically
have been appointed upon his recommended
ton.
To Divide Patronage.
1t was stated by a well-posted politician
of Delaware today that an understanding
had been arrived at between Senators Alice
and Ball to the effect that they Should di-
vide the patronage of the state, Alice TAX
ing that in Kent and Sussex counties and
Ball that in Newcastle county. Miss Todd
Is in Sussex county, and, naturally, the
patronage of her Office goes to Senator AL
lee.
But there was a way in which, 1t was ex-
pected the transfer of patronage would be
made so that it would be entirely within the
customary method of doing things. When
the terms of these postmasters expired they
could then be reappOinted or dropped with
out any violation of the rules that have
been in vogue in the department Such q
rule has been adhered to by the Postma ster
General. upon the recommendation of Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General BristOw and
there has been no idea that it would not be
continued. Miss Todd's second term would
expire at the end of three years. and then
she could be removed entirely within the
rules
Reason Assigned for Removal.
But the important element IN this case is
the reason given by the Postmester General
for removal. being that the pos.tnistress
was particularly and personally obnox-
1ous" to Senator Alice. If such a reason
can be assigned for her removal 1t my be
applied to any patronage. of any senator to
which the same rule has applied in the
past. 1t is stated that in the agreement as
made between Alice and Ball the fourth
class post offices were not regarded as pa
tronage until the expiration of the term
for which the incumbents are appointed
Until the expiration of these terms 1t was
supposed that removal would be made ONLY
on charges. 1t is now shown that this rule
may be put aside and that no one of the
offices Is secure from such possible action
In this case the wishes of Senator Ball
have been ignored. and it is this that leads
up to the United States Senate 1t is un-
derstood that Senator Balls friends have
int bo
Senate itself. Until March 3, 1905, at least,
ne Will occupy seat In that body His
friends believe that unless he Is pacified
Before Congress meets he will undertake To
retaliate upon the Postmaster General in
some way as a protest against his treat
ment in the case of the post Office at Green
wood.
It's Political Effect.
The recent action OF the Postmaster Cen
eral is also being discussed In view of the
interpretations that are being placed upon
IL In political way. 1t is claimed by the
Add1cks men that they will control the
next delegation to the national republican
convention. and 1t Is declared that 1t Is to
win favor in that direction that the rule as
TO removals of fourth-class postma sters
has been Violated in the case of Miss Todd,
1t is being charged that the power to con-
.roi that deiesatlon In the convention, in
voting for the next republican nominee for
the presidency, has been sufficient to over
ride rules that were supposed to give sta
bility to the postal service in making
fOurth-claSS poStmasterS feel that thew
were safe from political influence during
the terms for which they have been ap-
pointed. this being to that extent a conces-
sion to the spirit of the civil service law,
although such offices are not within the
scope of that law.
President to Decide.
1t is also said that Senator Ball will carry
this case to the President and ask that he
order the reinstatement of Miss Todd in the
Office from which she has been removed by
the Postmaster General. or at least insist
that her removal be made as a result of
charges to which she will be given the right
to make reply. Her friends DECLARE that she
has been without fault in the conduct of the
Office and that she Is regarded as an IDEAL
postmistress. She herself has stated That
the only reason which has caused the Ad-
dicks men to desire her renewal rs the fact
that her relatives have been pronounced
anti-Addicks men.
Since Miss Todd's removal there has been
CONSERVATION among all the fourth-class
postmasters in Sussex and Kent scounties
as they fear that their places will be de-
manded before their terms have expired and
without charges being made against them,
in order that the partisans OF Addicl,s may
be appointed to the places These post
masters are exercising what piwor they can
in order to prevent such an outcome and
they declare that If that is permitted to be
done in Delaware it may be daue anywhere
in the United States with the ..efsalt that
the rule for the protection OF fourth IS
postmasters will be. in effect. entirely nulli-
fed.