The National tribune., 1906-10-18

charges, or in cases of resignation. 1t
is only in these instances that the De-
partmcnt requests him to recommend
a candidate for Postmaster. In most
every State Congressman have vigor
ously opposed the reappontment of
certain POstmasters in their district In
every instance these efforts have been
without avail where the services of the
incumbent have been satisfactory to the
Department and a majority of the pa
irons of the office. In each of the con-
tended cases reappointments have fol-
lowed.
Congressman as a rule, declare them
selves emphatically opposed to the new
policy. They insist that they should
be delegated absolute power in naming
the Postmasters or else be relieved of
any and all responsibility concerning
their selection under any circumstances
Whatever. This is the general feeling
existing among most all members of
the House.
The question of appointing old sol,
diers as Postmasters is given no par
ticuiar consideration under the recent
ruling of President Roosevelt. Par
ticularly in the States of Kansas. Ohio.
Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois. Penn
sylvania and New York many old SOL
diers have pressed their claims for
these offices during the past year but
in only few instances have their efforts
been of avail, and only those successful
We're officials who were already in of,
flee and continued by virtue of their
excellent showing of administration.
Bitter Fight in Connecticut.
One IF the most bitterly contested
post-ofiice fights now brewing is that
of the case of George /. Allen. POST
master at Middletown, Conn. The office
pays Il salary of $4,000 year.
Postmaster Aliens term of four years
expired last December. His excellent
administration of the Office highly rec
commended him for reappointment.
| which action had been determined upon
by Postmaster-GeneralC Cortelyou Ene-
mics OF Allen at once sought to fore
stall his reappointment by charging him
with pernicious activity in politics. as
member of the Connecticut State Re-
publican Central Committee. The
| charge, which was in direct violati IN
of the Presidents order respecting Fed
eral ofiiceholders, was investigated. and
resulted in Mr.. Allen withdrawing as
| a member of the committee Following
| closely on the heels of this action We're
| charges filed against the personal char
acter Of Postmaster Allen.
Mr. Allen has been prominent in poll
tics, not only thruout the State, his Con-
gressional district, but in his home
town. Congressman Sperry secured his
appointment over four years ago, and
at the expiration of his term last De-
cember insisted that he be retained be-
| cause of his efficient services.
An investigation of the charges made
against Postmaster Aliens character
was inaugurated and a report filed
with the President. The President re-
| fused to nominate Mr.. Allen for a sec
| ond term, and requested Congressman
Sperry to name a candidate to succeed
him. This Mr.. Sperry refused to do on
the ground that the charges filed
against Allen We're the result of a
scheme or plot planned by the latters
| enemies to make a case" against the
| official. Mr.. Sperry at once corraled
the support of the two Connecticut
Senator's, Bulkeley and Brandegee, and
Congressman Hill and Lilley in a de-
mand that Allen be reappointed. On
the other hand, a paper was circulated
and extensively signed by manufacture
ers. bankers and other business men OF
Middletown. asking for a square deal'
by the appointment of William b
Douglass as Postmaster.
| So bitter Is the contention of the
Connecticut statesmen in this fight thai
intimation has been made that if Pres
ident Roosevelt appoints a successor tC
Postmaster Allen the nomination viii
be fought in the Senate.
At the Post Office Department the
statement was made on authority that
the Middletown appointment would &C
over until the recOnvention of Con.
lgress.
| Another post-office appointment at.
tracing unusual attention is that o
the Arkansas City, Kan, post office. c
McNeeley. the present incumbent, seeks
'reappointment. His claims are baset