Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-09
ACTIVITY IN POLITICS
Postmasters Anxious About
Their Limit of Freedom.
STATEMENT BY AUTHORITY
Tenure of Office Will Depend Upon
Incumbent's Merit.
AN INTERESTING OLD MAP
Over II, 900 Women and Girls in the
Executive Departments 49, Trick
Whereby Iowa Was Admitted.
N INTERESTING OLD MAP
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.


Written for The Star and the Chicago Record.
Herald.
Since the publication of an interview with
Postmaster General Cortelyou upon the APP
plication of the merit system to the postal
service have received good many letters
from postmasters who are anxious to know
just precisely what is meant by activity in
politics." The Postmaster General said
that the official record of a postmaster,
either of the first, second, third or fourth
class. would be the basis upon which the
department would decide whether to con-
tinue him in office after the expiration of
his term. He said also that the only ques-
ton hereafter is to be whether man has
been good postmaster and is satisfactory
to the patrons of his office and the depart
nent. Political activity, one way or the
other viii have no influence, and Mr.. Cor
telyou intimated would be counted rather
against than in favor of reappointment.
Now postmasters who are on the anxious
seat inquire what the words political ac-
tivity'' mean. They want to know how far
postmasters may go in politics; what part
they may take in the party organization
without ir1pairing their official records. One
postmaster writes:
IF my reappointfnent depends wholly
upon merit / shall only be too glad not to
participate In the party organization, but
this happens to be democratic district
and somebody would be sure to take advan-
tage of my inactivity to secure an organi-
cation that won indorse him and COM
mend him to Metropolitan senators. What
would happen to me theng
Another asks: ITO what extent can
mix in party organization for the purpose
of securing organization that Will rec
onimend me and obtain for me the indorse-
ment of my congressman and senators?
lr,{ 10 1o,. fn6 fotr Nd
ed in the June guide, 1905, the Postmaster
General says that we can participate in
politics so long as we do not use our Of
fees to control political movements; do not
neglect our offices or cause scandal by our
activity; but in his address to the POST
masters Association, published on page
II of his last annual report, he says we
are barred from participating in factionai
differences. A strict construction of this
would absolutely bar us from. taking part
in our party organization or in any con-
test for delegates or committeeman, no
matter how honorabiy conducted, within
the party. If we are to be barred abs3-
lLtely from using our personal influence
in party affairs, and If my reappointment
depends upon the consent of our two sem
ators l might as well prepare to move,
the senators will not indorse anybody who
does not have their local party organiza-
tior behind them. This does not concern
me alone, but every postmaster is inter-
ested personally In 1t and a very large
part of the public
Rule of Conduct Laid Down.
very high authority, who need not be
mentioned, to whom these questions were
submitted, says that
1. The reappointment of postmaster will
not depend, in the future, upon the indorse-
nent of a senator or of the local party or
ganiZation but upon his record as an eff
Gent officer and his reputation among the
patrons of the office without regard to
politics or party. He is the servant of the
people, carrying out the instructions of the
department, and will be judged by the sat
isfaction he gives in that capacity rather
than by his popularity with senator's, repre-
sentatives or political clubs.
2. PostmasterS may vote, take part IN
primaries. write for the newspapers, make
speeches in campaigns and exercise the
ordinary privileges of citizens, but they
should not be members of political com
mittees nor delegates to political conven-
lions.
3. Postmasters should abstain from tax
ing part in personal and political contro-
versies. They should not give their adher-
eace to either side of any factional quarrel,
they have right to express their opinions
vote for the candidates they prefer and
to give their reasons for doing So but any
activity either for or against a candidate
or in factional quarrel will impair their
usefulness as the business representatives
of the government.
4. Postmasters should remember that they
are not the representatives of party or
fiction. but they are the servants of the en-
tire public without regard to political divi-
sions. 1t is their business to promote the
convenience and interests of the commun-
ity and not the success of any party or fac
ton.
8. There is no reason why a postmaster
should not belong to political club, but he
cannot perform the duties required of an
officer of club and at the same time full
fill the obligations of a postmaster to the
public.
g. Hereafter the opinion of the public, that
is the patrons of the office, and not the
opinion of a senator or a representative or
that of a political organization will have
the greatest degree of weight.