The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-01-19
Encroachments Made By
the Post Office On Their
Patronage Preserves Cau-
Sc Them Mncl Worry
lNQUISITORIAL METHODS
so GREAT AN OPPOSITION HAS
DEVELOPED TO THE san DO
MINGAN TREATY THAT A
JOINT RESOLUTION MAY BE
NECESSARY TO PASS IT.

NECESSARY TO PASS 1T.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 10. 1906.-
Some idea may be gained of the attitude
Of the Post Office Department on the
question of post-office appointments from
the letters which are being sent to Con-
gressmen at the expiration of the terms
of present incumbents. If the postmas-
ter is acceptable to the powers that be-
or that want TO be-" letter reading
like this is received by the Congressman:
The commission of John Smith, post
master of Mosquitoville, New jersey, will
expire on Feb. %, 1906. When last in
spected this office appeared to be in a
satisfactory condition and unless reasons
are presented showing conciusiyely that
such action would not be for the best
interests of the service the present post
pointment. Please advise the department
regarding this case at your earliest con-
venience.''
If the Post Office Department has de-
cided that the incumbent must not be re-
appointed the letter received by the Con-
gresham is worded like this
'The commission of Peter Pickles,
postmaster at Capital City, New jersey,
will expire Jan. 21, 1906. In view of
the highly unsatisfactory condition of the
office under the management OF the pres
ent postmaster the department feels that
is would not be for the best interests of
the service to reappoint him, and you are
accordingly invited to recommend at your
earliest convenience suitable person for
appointment as his successor.
These letters are usually signed by the
first assistant postmaster general. i. H.
Hitchcock. Many of the Congressman
seem to feel that it is plain case Of die
tation on the part of the postoffice if not
the administration, and already several
postonce appointments have been taken
to the President. The Congressman feel
that the strict enforcement of the new
idea will cut off their patronage to
large extent. Many of the Congfesslnen
feel that there are cases after post
master has served two terms that it
would be good policy, and, incidentally,
it might strengthen their fences, pollti-
cally, to make an appointment Of a, new
man.
As has been mentioned in these dis
patches, the appointment of the Presi-
Dental postmasters has always been done
by the President upon the recommends-
ton of the Congressman, and by and
with the consent of the Senate. Just
what may transpire should the name Of
some individual be sent in for appoint
ment as a postmaster who was NOT ac-
ceptable to the Congressman of the dis
trict, and he requested the Senator to
| hold up the confirmation Of the man, re-
| mains to be seen. The Postotiice De
partment might attempt to take issue
with the Senate and appoint a man con-
tra7.yr ~ tba rvicLass AZ fhn ~, !, ~, "a
and without his confirmation by the Sem
ate, but it is thought in the long run its
position would be untenable. However,
it is evident that the Postoftice Depart
ment is endeayoring to introduce civil
service into the department and through
out the country, even if it is not pleasing
to the Congressmen, and although it may
curtail their privileges.
The opposition which has manifested
itself against tie Santo Domingo treaty
suggests the probability that a joint res
olution may be necessary to get it
through. The annexation of Hawaii was
accomplished in that wal. it will be re-
membered. So far as can be Learned, the
Democrats expect to vote solidly against
the treaty. which will require four more
votes than the Republicans can muster
Unless four Democrats can be found who
will vote for it, the situation is at dead
lock for the present The colution may
be the joint resolution. as it is known
the President is determined to get the
treaty through if possible.
One can get. all sorts of opinions as to
what will be done with the railroad rate
question, 50 earnestly advocated BY Pres
ident Roosevelt. The consensus of opin-
ion seems to be that bill Of some sort
will finally get through both houses, but
no enc is disposed to say that it will be
Jas rigid a measure as the President
would ike 70 have enacted. The friend
liness Of the Senate for the railway IN