The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1906-03-09
K1cKEp 80 d Po1rrrcs.


gressiOnal Machine
Topeka, March The politicians
are curious 10 find cut what effect the
presidents usual order" placing al
pOstmasters under civil service and
fOrbidding them from taking part In
politics viii have IN Kansas. In the
past the pOstmasters have practically
run the congressional conventions.
Nearly every county delegation would
big town, surrounded BY all the little
convention and nominating the con
gresham who appointed them they
would make up a congressional con-
mittee OF pOstmasters so they world
be in shape for the next campaign
They were the congressional machine
They would pay no attention to city,
county or state politics. except TO
make deals with the men interested in
those lines for their own perpetuatiOn
along congressional lines. II after a
man Eol in as Congressman once he
couldn't succeed himself as long as
he pleased he vas regarded es a
chump by the state leaders
The establishments OF the rural
route system gave the pOstmasters ad-
ditiOnal strength in handling congress
siOnal politics. Rural route carriers
were mostly chosen by the congress
men and they " Orked politics. on their
routes under the direction Of the post
master who supplied them with mail
But the rural carriers didn't stay in
politics long. They were transferred
to the classified list and ordered to
keep hands on Now the pOstmasters
have been placed under civil service.
Unless they work under cover a con-
gresham after this Will have to de-
pend upon his own ability and record
for denomination His machine has
been shattered.
The new order means that there
viii be many new faces around con-
gressiOnal conventions in the future.
The old familiar postmaster faces will
be conspicuous by their absence. Just
how far reaching the order goes isn't
clear to the pOstmasters, but most Of
them are taking no chances. They are
not even going as delegates to cOun-
ty conventions. Some Of them are
sitting behind the scenes and pulling
the strings, but they are not out in
sight where they can be caught with
the goods on them.
The pOstmasters in the various dis
tTicts did not consider that the civil
service order was retroactive. They
named themselves on the cOngressiOn-
al committees two years ago, before
they were placed in the classified list.
1t was necessary for the committee in
each district to meet and fix a date
and place for the coming congressiOn-
al convention. II the pOstmasters
stayed at home there would be no
quorum on any Of the committees, so
they attended the meetings How
a. = IL -
it was positively their last appearance
in politics
Several pOstmasters are already eX-
ercfsed over the new rule. Threats
have been made to cause them trouble.
Some Of their old political enemies
claim that they have shown PERM
ciOus activity in politics by attending
congressional committee meetings and
promise to file charges Unless the
pOstmasters drop politics entirely and
attend strictly to business the new
system viii give them more worry
than the old. They will be cOntinu-
ally watched and charges viii be filed
against them on the least prOvOcatiOn-
Under the old system, and that was
to get the office in the first place.
Then they could take q hand in the
political game forever after and still
hold their jobs so long as they play
ed the way their congressman decreed-
1t will be a hard job for some OF
the old pOstmasters to let go Of the
political game. They have played it
so long that il has become second ma
ture to them. They won't be able to
sleep nights during a redhOt campaign
on account Of desiTye to take out
chips in the game and get back in the
lime light. Still the department isn't
figuring on many Of them voluntarily
resigning their offices on account OF
the new rule