The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-29
STATUS AGAIN DEFINED
Of THE OFEICEHOLDER
IN NATIONAL POLITICS
Postmaster General Payne Defines
the Limits of Their Zone of
Campaign Activity.
PUZZLE IN LEGISLATION
Matter of Providing Scheme of
Government for Canal Zone
Service Pension Question.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


ties OF persons in the classified service.
This time the pronouncement comes from
Postmaster General Payne. Directly, the
postmaster generals admonition applies TO
employees in the postal service. but Indirect
ly and to all intents and purposes, it ap-
plies as well 10 all employees Of the CLASH
fed service, and is, of course. in line with
the Presidents wishes i'm the matter 1t
is to be observed, however that, infer
entially, distinction is made between en-
ployes Of the government in the classified
service and those who are drawing govern
ment salaries and are not in the classified
service. That means, of course. that post
masters, United States marshals district
attorneys, internal revenue collectors and
customs collectors are not debarred from
engaging in politics, although it is well
derstood that such officials are not 10 use
their Offices for political purposes. To pre-
vent those not In the classified service from
engaging in politics would be TO impair
the effectiveness of party machinery in
many instances. The President however
has made it known heretofore that he is
not especially DESTROYS of having post
masters conspicuous in Republican conven-
lions as delegates. He does not want his
nomination brought about by federal office
holders, and hence will discourage them
from participation as delegates.
Every effort will be made by the Repub-
adjournment by May l. That is the pro-
gramme mapped out, and all indications
point to its being carried through The
leaders devoting all time possible to
getting through the appropriation bills. but
some weeks Will be required to get these
measures out of this way There is very
little or Importance pressing for consider
alton, except the necessary legislation relat-
ing TO the Panama canal. 1t will require
n he int
TO provide a system of government for
the canal zone. This is a new field for
the legislators in Congress. We have all
kinds OF outlying territory now: Hawaii
with a practical form of territorial gov
eminent, Governor and a delegate with
full powers in Congress; Porto Rico with
territorial form OF government of an
other kind, and instead of a delegate in
Congress, resident commissioner; Alaska.
with little in the way of territorial gov
eminent and no representation at all in
Congress. Then there is the question of
citizenship OF the residents of all these
outlying possessions. And the Philippines
with nothing settled as TO citizenship, and
commission form of government, with
no territorial organization nor representa-
ton In Congress. Truly IL is a peculiar
mix-up, and one very puzzling to the Amer
lean legislators. TO say nothing of the
people generally. Now comes proposition
Tor government under American author
ity in zone of territory in a sovereign
country foreign to the United States. This
government will exercise sovereignty over
government to be provided for il will be
materially different from any other we
have known.
Representative Holiday is a constant at
tendant on the meetings of the House
committee on invalid pensions. His inter
est at this time is conferred in the proposed
service pension law. 81 am of opinion he
said to-day. that some action will be taken
in this connection. The committee is almost
unanimous in favor of some sort of a
service pension law, but there is a
divergence of opinion as TO the form and
scope of the bill. The measure advocated
by the Grand Army is an excellent one. but
1t involves expenditure which probably
will not be authorized by Congress. l. be-
lieve that Justice should be done the widows
of soldiers. and in any bill that is reported
to the property qualification of widows.
Under the present law If a widow has
income of $3.50 she is debarred from pen
sion. 1t is impossible for anyone to live
comfortably on such an income, and the
limit should be increased"
=
"a bill to increase the pension Of Elias
Holiday to $24 a month";
This is what the clerk of the House read
one day last week, much to the astonish-
ment of the Indiana members. Representa-
tive Elias Holiday of Brazil, was at once
sought out, and subjected to good-natured
chatting by his colleagues. II see you are
taking care of No. !, Elias said Jim Wat
son.
Inquiry was made, and 1t was discovered
that the Elias Holiday in question is
Minnesota soldier in whose behalf a bill
was introduced by a representative from the
State.
Il was somewhat shocked myself when
the bill was read" said Mr.. Holiday
+
Turing no week precedinoy his dera rturo
to attend the Shelbyville convention Repre-
sentative Watson acted as Republican
whip" in the place of Representative
Tawney. of Minnesota. Watson is Taw-
ney's chief lieutenant, and there is prob
ability that in the Fifty-ninth Congress
the Rushville statesman will become the
Republican whip" Mr.. Watson has
wide acquaintance among the members of
the House. and has done much to perfect
the majority organization in the lower
branch of Congress. the duties Of the
whip" are onerous. That official must see
to it that the Republican membership is
on hand when n vote is about to be taken,
and Ii Is his business 10 send for absent
members and keep them in the House un-
til they are needed. The position Of whip,
which in the English Parliament is a dis
tinguished and important one, was revived
here only a few years ago.
Five thousand postal clerks will receive
advances in salaries, commencing with July
1 next These promotions will be distrib-
uted throughout the large postoffices, and
the force at Indianapolis will receive its
proportionate share. The pending postal
appropriation bill carries 100000 for the
purpose. No provision is made for increas-
ing the salaries of the carriers in the cities
Many members of the committee believe
that the city carriers should receive bet
ter pay, but in the absence of a recon-
mendation from the postmaster general
action was taken. In commenting on
the failure OF the committee 10 increase the
city carriers salaries. member said:
MY advice to the carriers is to work on
the officials of the POstOff.ce Department
and get their Endorsement of the salary
almost entirely by the advice OF the de-
partment In passing on matters coming
before The postmaster general has not
yet recommended more pay for the carriers
and / think IL is likely that the committee
will look for his Endorsement before il
takes the matter up"
Representative Charles Lands has re-
turned 10 Washington with another nomi-
nation in his gripsack.
Rural free delivery will be established at
Corunna. De Kalb county. and at Sellers
burg. Clark county. on April l. on the rec
ommendatiOn of Senator Fairbanks.
Postmaster Newton Myers spent part of
the past week I'm Washington. He was on
his way to New York ON business. Mr..