New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-27
'PER\ICIOUn ACTIVITY"
CorteIyou VII Soon Define It
POStm0sterS and Politics.
[FRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington April S.-"The very best service a
postmaster can give to his party is to conduct his
postofice in a proper manner"
This remark made to-day by Postmaster
General George E. Cortelyou in discussing the gem
eral subject Of political activity of postoffce Off
Gals, not only as brought out by the just de-
clded in Louisville also in connection with the
plans of the department under the Postmaster Cen
erals direction TO issue set Of rules and reg
ulations for the guidance of postal employees.
Postmaster General COrtelyOu has made a study
of the subject from the point of view of an Off
cial and also the head of the Republican po-
htical organization. His expression to the real
good postmaster can do to the party organization
comes from his knowledge a political manager as
we'll from his experience as a federal official.
which includes service as a postal employe. secre-
tary to the President and later member of the
Cabinet for departments.
1t was recently announced that Postmaster Cen
eral Cortelyou would formulate and issue new set
of regulations covering the question Of activity by
postal officials in politics He said to-day that the
in existence Including the formal rules prescribed
by the Civil Service laws, and the orders which
dent These will all be codifed and printed in tho
form OF circular copy OF TINS circular VIII DE pc
sent 10 all officials Of the postal service. II mas
been the custom of the heads of the Postofice De
replies to postal employees who have written asking
whether certain line of political work would be
ing the Civil Service. The result was that various
opinions were sent out. Postmaster General COrte-
YOU proposes that a general circular covering the
whole subject shall be issued and the only answer
an inquiring postal employee will get in the future
when propOunding queries TO the department as to
tust how far along certain lines one may go WlthoOS
violating the law and regulations will be a copy or
the circular. The Postmaster General insists that
any official in the service ought to know from these
rules and regulations how far he may be active in
politics II he does not know, the department Will
supply the necessary discipline up to actual dis
missal in proper cases. -.
This whole subject has just been brought to the
attention of the Postmaster General in connection
with the action Of the assistant postmaster az
louisville Ky This official became member OF
the Republican State Central Committee in that
state The objection raised in this case was that
the committee was engaged in raising funds for
political purposes. and 1t is held by the Postmaster
General that such work should not be engaged In
h,y the officials of the service to the extent
of serving on committees which may not be en-
gaged in collecting funds for political operations
The department does not rule that the officials not
in the classified service shall take no part in poll
tics but points out how such work. IL conspicuous
or connected with financial operations in political
work becomes offensive and contrary TO sood us
cipIine and the good of the service.