The National tribune., 1906-10-18
THE POSTMASTERS.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY OF CONTINUING THOSE WHO
HAVE GIVEN SATISFACTION.
This Makes Trouble with Congressman, Who Lose PaonageA
Connecticut SquabbIe

these stringent rules would bring COM
piaint to the Department. and result
in an investigation being made by 4
Post Office Inspector. If found guilty
of any of these offenses he could be
summarily removed from the service.
In dealing with the subject Postmaster
General Cortelyou says:
The postal service should be a bus-
ness institution. 1t cannot be made
such if other considerations than merit
govern in the discipline of its force.
Postmasters hold a peculiarly impor-
taiit relation to the communities in
which they livt. They are direct rep
resentatives of the Department. Their
service reflects credit or discredit up
on it. They should serve the Interests
of all the people of their communities
without regard to political, social or
business affiliations. This does not
mean that they are divested OF their
rights as citizens They would be I'M
mt for their positions if they did not
take proper interest in public affairs:
but a proper inter st in public affairs
as a matter of course, bars them from
participation in factional differences or
any other political action that would
bring diScredit upon the service or
show lack of appreciation of their
relation to it,
Postmasters are constantly being in
vestigated for .'perniciouS activity in
politics" During the past few months
more than 20 PostmasterS If the larger
cities have been investigated on COM
plants filed with the Department to
the effect that these officials were too
active in the political affairs of their
communities. Each case was investi-
gated and those found guilty of vio-
lating the rule were advised that if
they did not Immediately separate
hay1 Cl1I frn In
outlined by the Department they would
be dismissed. A compliance to the rule
was made in each case so far as known.
The New Situation.
Practically all Postmasters now sery-
ing Presidential offices are men who
have been rewarded by their appoint
ment for services rendered the Con
gressmen of their district in some wise
They We're selected for a term of four
years only. with an agreement or un-
derstanding, in most cases, that they
should give way to another at the ex-
piration of their commissions. For their
succession congressman made promises
during the last campaign 10 give their
| jobs to others to whom they were like
wise indebted. The adoption of the
| merit rule has thwarted these plans.
!! and the Congressman generally are fu-
rious because it is not within their
power to deliver the goods" They
are literally up against it. They are
up against trouble they are unable to
explain, with satisfaction. the real rea
son why they cannot make changes in
post offices where promises were made
in good faith. The politicians, as n
rule. decline TO believe the new policy
to be enforced in good faith. They
| insist that it is only for the purpose OF
shielding the Congressman in cases
where he wishes to throw the RESPONSE
bility Of selection on the Department
The only instance where a Congress-
man has the power delegated to him
to dictate the appointment of a Post
| matser is in cases where dismissals have
been made upon investigation OF