Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-06

Postma ster- General Cortelyou has Gre
atcd something Of a sensation among
republican politicians by his policy In re-
gar to filling the Offices of fourth class
postrnasters. He has decided, after full
conference with the President. that all
these places, numbering more than 1,ooo.
shall be placed under practical form OF
civil service, There will he no wholesale
dismissals in order to make room for new
political favortcs. On the contrary, all
postnasters who have made good records
will be retained.
The news has been handed out to scna-
tors ana representatives who have called
on the new postmaster-general during
the past few days for the purpose of
pressing the claims of applicants for
postmastcrships. 1t also has been sent
to every quarter to the country in let
ter from Mr.. Cortelyou to politicians seek
ing appointments in the postal service
for faithful workers. Politicians gradual
ly arc awakening to a realization that
what amounts to the most sweeping civil
service order since the enactment of the
civil service act has been quietly put into
effect under their very noses. Practically
the last bit of patronage remaining out
side of the classified service has been
taken away from them. and they don't
like it. While all those interested in good
government indorse the new policy that
is to he observed in the postoffice depart
ment. the professional politicians take no
pains tn conceal the fact that they are
far from pleased with the change
1t has been the custom in the past to
completely reorganizc the postal service
with every change in administration. at
least 80 far as the postmastcrs were con-
cerned. When the new president belonged
to n different party from that OF his i'm
mediate predecessor there was always
a clean sweep of the postmastcrs. The
changes were not so numerous when the
old and new presidents were of the same
political faith But senators and repre-
sentatives generally thought this year
that there would he no difficulty about
getting reasonable number of appoint
mcnts as postmasters after March A..
Various candidates for these places We're
encouraged to believe that their papers
would go through all right. Consequently
tons.
But when members Of Congress called
on Postmaster-General Cortelyou to as
certain the reason for the delay in maxi
ing the desired changes. they were in
formed that no dismssals We're to be
made except for cause. tierea fter the
postal service is to be conducted more
along the lines of business establish
[ment and less as a haven for politicians.
'If the present incumbents discharge their
duties in a manner satisfactory to the
patrons of their respective offices and to
the postmastergeneral. they need have
no fear of losing their jobs. Postmaster
General Cortelyou believes that frequent
changes In the heads of postoffices are
destructive of efficiency and economy in
administration. If a postmaster is COM
petent. looks after the affairs of his Of
flee properly and has a good record he
will be permitted to remain. for in cases
of this sort Mr.. Cortelyou believes that
no good would be accomplished by APP
pointing green man.
OF course. there will be some removals
Whenever it is shown to the department
that IA postmaster is inefficient and un-
popular. he will be dismissed. 1t will be
easy enough for the department to de-
termnc whether a postmaster is unsat-
isfactory. The patrons of the offices in
question will aid the politicians in max
ing this clear to the postmaster-general
In instances of this kind the members
of Congress will be consulted in the
selection of new men, and the wishes of
the local representatives, will guide the
dcpartmeo in making appointments.
Another important feature OF the new
postofiicc policy is that the length Of
service of postmaster shall not enter
into the matter of re-appointmcnt at all
This will be good news for the men who
have been in the service for eight years
| Recently an impression got abroad that
a record of eight years in office would
be considered reason far removal. This
rule will not apply to the postal service
however. Fourth class pOstmasters are
appointed for indefinite service. so it will
not be necessary TO renew their commits
sons ut the end of four years. as is the
rule with other federal officers.
Some members Of Congress have in
formed General Cortelyou
that they are pleased with his decision
in regard to postmastcrs. They think il
will give stability to the service and pro-
mate efficiency all along the line. At the
same time it will relieve the members of
Congress of IA vast amount of embar-
ra ssment and trouble. Patronage is al
ways a source of trouble making. parti-
cularly when half dozen men are afte.
the same job. Members of Congress
usually make five enemies for every
friend gained in awarding postoffice
plum. Those who have had disagreeable
experiences of this kind say they are glad
to be relieved of the responsibility for
recommending men for postotfce appoint
ments.
But there arc a lot Of disappointed
politicians who do not take kindly to the
new order of things. They are the profess
SIGNALS who are out for the spells. They
realize that misunderstanding are the only
places not included in the civil service
by order of the President, and they say
if these jobs so by the board also they
might as well go out Of business.
1t is understood that this policy is tn
he extended to postofficcs of the first,
second and third class also. These are