The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1903-12-10
Responsibility Of Congressman.

There is one feature OF the BriStOw
report to which sufficient attention
has not been paid. We refer to his
statement Of the relation of certain
members OF congress to the frauds
committed in the postal service. We
have said that much of the corruption
is due to the spells system, but Of
course this does not tell the whole
story. individuals are also to blame
and individuals other than those
charged with corruption in Office. In
one sense, of course, it all goes back
to the spolls theory of politics islarge-
based on congressional patronage. AT
the same time, no mar is fit TO be in
congress who would tempt men in
executive Office, who would accept
much less demand-favorS at their
hands the granting of which was in
consistent wit the public walfare. In
the Bristow report it is pointed out
that George w. Beavers. late chief OF
the division of salaries and allowance,
did considerable business with men,
bers of congress. Increase IN allow
ances for clerk hirs were made by him
as matter of favor without regard to
the requirements of the service. Pro-
motions we're frequently made ire
spectiye of the merits of the man
promoted. Leases for postoffice
premises, having long time to run,
were Cancelled, and new leases made
at increased rental on the recommen-
datiou Of political leaders, often with
out regard to the rental value of the
property.
The appropriation for third and
fourth class postoffices, amounting to
81 900. 900 annually, was distributed
by Beavers, largely on the basis of
favoritism. If senator, a congress-
man, or any leader whom Beavers was
anxious to please, asked for an in
crease in the clerk hire it was allowed
as a matter of course. Here are some
typical cases:
The postmaster at Duquoin. H.,
in December, 1901, asked for al al
lowance for clerk hire. The post
master was directed to keep count Of
the transit mail handled, which he
failed to do; but submitted state
ment showing the local work of the
Office. He was informed that no clerk
hire could be allowed under the law
for local work. In March. 1902. the
member of congress recommended that
an allowance Of $500 year be given
TO that Office and the request was COM
piled with. The amount was after
ward increased to 5000 per annum.
Under the rules Of the department.
on the basis of count made in Aug
ust, 1903, the office was entitled under
the law to $50. At Port Deposit,
Nd, the postmaster was receiving an
allowance of $50 year for separating
purposes. On February Is. 1908, the
member OF congress asked that on &C
count of increased business. the al.
lowance be made $500, and that Ethel
w. Colvi1 be made clerk at that salary.
On February II he was advised that
the increase had been authorized. On
February p, the postmaster having
refused to appoint Miss Colvin, the
congressman wrote, stating that fact
and suggesting that the allowance be
reduced to $50, which was immediate
ly done. The foregoing cases refer to
clerk hire In third and fourth class Of
ices. A hundred other similar cases
could be cited.
All of which means that congress
men were demanding and accepting
favors to which they had, and knew
they had no right. under the law, and
that Beavers granted them In order to
make himself 'solid" with congress.
indianapolis News.