The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-12-11
The Rumor That the Post
master General Will Ap-
point All Postfn assers
Causes Alarm.
FEAR LOSS OF PRESTIGE
BIG KICK OVER THE LARGE SAL
ARIES PAID BY THE IsTHMIAN
CANAL COMMISSION HEARsf's
ACTIVITY IN BILLS.


From time immemoriaI congressman
have regarded the selection Of postmas-
ters in their district as one of the choic-
est prerogat:ves that go with the office.
There is an impression abroad that the
postofice department. is gradually get
ting ready to relieve the Congressman of
the responsibility. 1t is possible the idea
that is prevalent has little ground for its
existence, and vet it does exist neverthe-
less, and it has already caused some un-
rest among the members of the House.
1t was formerly the practice of the
postoflice department to notify the Con-
gressmen shortly before the expiration of
the term of a postmaster, that it would
be glad to receive any recommendation
he wished to make Recently the Con
gressmen have wondered what was go--
ing to transpire next by the receipt of
notices to the effect that the term of a
postmaster would soon expire. and .'un-
less you have some reason to show to the
contrary, he will be reappointed"
There has been no test of the matter
as vet. Perhaps there is no Congress
man brave enough to risk the chances of
an unpleasant contest with he.postoffice
department if there is possibility that
the President would be disposed to back
up the department. It is admitted that
the removal of the appointment Of the
postmasters from the hands Of the Con-
gressmen would be civil service reform
with vengeance and rob some of the
Representatives of their opportunity to
pay some of Their political debts.
For the information of those who wish
to enter the medical corps of the navy
the Navy Department has issued cir
cular giving the particulars concerning
the requirements and also an abstract of
the examination each applicant is requir
ed to undergo. 1t is required that cam
didate for examination must be between
the ages Of 21 and so years. and the APP
plication must be made direct to the Sec
retary of the Navy. Assistant surgeons,
to which successful applicants would be
appointed. receive 81, ,496 a year on shore
and SLIGO when at sea. At the age of
62 they are retired.
Some of the Republican Congressman
are disposed to kick over the party traces
and all on account of some of the large
salaries paid by the Isthnian Canal
Commission. They refer to the fact that
the President admonishes Congress to be
frugal and economical, and on the heels
of the warning there is precipitated upon
Congress the evidence that the adminis-
tration is dealing out salaries with a Law
ish hand. Naturally. the first reference
Of this sort is directed to the press agent
at $4,000 a year. There is also a gen
eral auditor who receives a similar sal
ary and a purchasing agent who receives
$4,000.
That the Republicans will stand by.
the Canal Commission there is little
doubt, but some of them do not relish
the creation of a condition that practi-
cally invites the criticism Of the minor
ity, especially when the Republicans are
unable to make any defence. Ifsis be-
heyed that there will be a demand for
an explanation of the reason for some of
the large salaries that are being paid,
and the ultimate result viii be the gem
eral overhaulng Of the salary list an,s
its reimbursement on al more equitable
basis.
The Recommendation of Secretary
Shaw. Of the Treasury Department, for
the establishment of mutual depart
mental governmental savings bank, has
evoked sarcastic comment of the local
press. It is declared that Mr.. Shaw
seems to have a misapprehension of the
class of employees in even the Treasury
Department.. 1t is also stated that the
employee Of the departments is Of a