Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-06-19
PROOTER AND MERRITT

The confusion Of government officials and
ex-of1cials who Joined in chorus Of denials
as to the Tulloch charges has been marked
since the publication of the Civil Service
Commissions report on the Washington
postoff1ce. A comparison of parts of Com
missioner Proctor's language with letters of
ex-Postmaster General Smith, ex- First As
sistant Postmaster General Heath, and Post.
master Merritt shows either in general terms
or specific language that the Civil Service
Commission is not in accord with those
eminent Republicans. The assertion of the
commission that abuses as TO appointments
continued TO the end of the administration
Of Postmaster General Smith is also signif.
cant, because the period likewise includes
the major portion Of the administration OF
Postmaster Merritt. Then certain instances
are cited of Irregularities continuing at pres
ent, such as that OF Oliver Ii. Smith of In
diana.
Commissioner Procter's report says that
the Washington postoffice has been mere
bureau Of the department, and that irregular
appointments were made largely by direc-
ton of high officials. Postmaster Merritt,
however, in his statement TO the Postmaster
General, printed May 30 last, assumed full
responsibility himself. The postmasters Ian.
gusge in that connection was:
"As to a tendency in the Postofice De
partment TO convert this Office into bureau
thereof, TO disburse funds, appoint, promote,
and transfer its employees without record, and
adding additional employees, whether theil
services are needed or not as Mr.. Tulloch
asserts, i have TO state that have perceived
no such tendency. have disbursed no
money on accounts of any kind without
written authority thereof. Appointments,
promotions, and transfers, with very few ex-
captions, have been made upon my recon-
mendation, approved by the department"
Commissioner Procter's report, which
would seem TO indicate that information on
the same point had come direct from Post.
master Merritt or at best from some one en-.
tirely authorized to speak for him, was as
follows:
"The investigation seems 10 show clearly
that most of the irregularities herein set forth
were directed by the department or requested
or suggested by high department officials,
and In either case came TO the Postmaster
with all the force oil direction. With the
exception Of the appointment Of eight labor
ers afterward separated, three clerks ap.
pointed TO offices about TO be classified, anC
one employe appointed in the Good Hope
District Of Columbis) postoffice just before
its consolidation, it appears that Postmaster
Merritt did not initiate any OF these i'm
proper appointments or assignments, and
his responsibility Tor them appears TO bt
secondary and dependent upon the extent
to which a subordinate is justified in pro.
testing against the orders or suggestions oil
his official superiors."
Like inconsistencies, more or less emphatic
run all through the two reports and show
how two very distinct official views are pos
sible. 1t has been generally recognized tina
Postmaster Merritt has been embarrassed
decidedly by conditions imposed upon hin
by the department, and that it has been
cross Tor him 10 bear in having TO assist In al
effort TO offer up ex Cashier Tulloch as
sacrifice In the general postal investigation
however uniriendly his personal ieelinl
might be toward him.