The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-03-02
Postmaster Cannot Be 0usted Blu
The Politicians.
ROOSEVELT TAKES Determined STAND
CASE WHERE SENATOR HEP.
BURN WAS REBUKED FOR
FIGHT ON IDAHO NASBY.

The time will probably never
come when postmasters throughout
der the protecting arm of civil SER
vice; it would be impracticable to fill
these offices by competitive exami-
nations; but the TIME has arrived
when postmasters are placed on a
merit basis, and yhen political infiu-
ence over these jobs is reduced to
minimum. Up to the first of Deem
Der, 1905, postmasterships were con-
sidered congressional patronage, and
the power Of congressman was abso-
lutte. Senators were permitted to
name the postmasters in their home
cities, but all other postmasters We're
selected and appointed on the recon.
mendation of the congressman in
| whise district the offices were located
Merit System Prevails.
In general way this system is
still continued, but vacancies do not
occur as frequently as in the past, for
the simple reason that President
Roosevelt has ordered that postmas-
ters with good records shall be retain
ed in office during good behavior. In
other words he has denied senators
and representatives the right, hereto
fore enjoyed, of ousting postmasters
at will in order to make room for po-
are granted virtually the same pro-
lection as government employees who
are in the classified service; they can
only be removed for cause; they can
not be ousted for purely political rea-
sons. Whenever a postmaster dies, or
retires, or is removed, the senator or
congressman is permitted to fill the
place, as in the past, but only under
these circumstances can the senator
or congressman get recognition before
the postoffice department.
Idaho Members Rebuffed.
Only a few days ago the president
served notice in the republican mem
bers of the Idaho delegation that they
cannot remove postmasters for politi-
cal reasons. AS cited at the time, the
president refused to remove A. G. Net
Teton, postmaster at Nampa, in order
to make room for a man endorsed by
the republican organization in Idaho.
Nettleton came within the class that
is assured of protection by the presi-
dent. During the four years of his
term he made a good record; his SER
vices were satisfactory to the people
of Nampa his record was investigated
and approved by the postal authori-
ties, and for these reasons, if for no
term.
But the republican organization in
Idaho, and particularly Senator Hey
burn and State Chairman Brady, had
Gecreed otherwise. They had boldly
announced their intention Of getting
Nettleton's scalp. What is more, they
made no concealment Of their reasons.
Brady, in the last campaign, and in
the campaign previous, made politi-
cal assessment of $40 against Nettle-
ton, and demanded repeatedly that the
amount asked be contributed. Nettle-
ton, whose salary was only $1700, con-
sidered the assessment excessive; ne
contributed what he could afford, and
mands of Brady and his associates.
He considered ten per cent an Excess
sive assessment, and would not pay
1t.
Heyburn's Bold Statement.
In consequence of this refusal, Brady
determined to get Nettleton out of Of
flee and he conferred with Senator
Hepburn and Governor Gooding about
his plan. They approved it, and pick
ed Victor T. Elver for the job. When
Nettleton approached Senator Hey
burn, the senator told him frankly he
could not have another term, as he did
not appreciate what his party had
done for him in the past, in that he
had refused to pay the assessment
made against him. 1t was a plain, bold
statement for the senator to make, but
he made it, and set about planning to
GUST Nettleton and appoint some man |
who would agree to pay his assess
ments 1t was an unfortunate day for
Senator Hepburn when he made this
move, for he then and there laid ninl-
self open to another rebuke at the
hands of President Roosevelt.
Nettleton a Fighter.