The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1907-04-04
IA CONNECTICUT
POSTMASTER
Stirs Up Hot Dissension Between the
Senate and the Executive.

When 1t comes to the settlement Of
post-office appointments the power of 6
United States Senator is supreme. Mem.
are merely a secondary consideration in
these matters.
Post Office appointments are made
by the President upon the recommends
ton of the Postmaster-General. When
nominations reach the Senate they are
referred to the Committee on Post Of
fees and Post Roads for report. Ac-
cording to a time-honored rule in the
Postmaster appointments or otherwise
are referred by the committee to the
Senator or Senator'S in whose State the
appointment is to be made. If a single
objection is made the nomination is re-
ported unfavorably to the Senate. AL
nominations favorably or unfavorably
reported are acted upon by the Senate
in executive session. AL that is neces-
sary in disposing of an Objectionable
appointment, such as Postmastership
is for the Senator interested to move
that the nomination be rejected. Upon
his motion the Senate readily acts with
out question.
In cases of appointments where the
President is himself personally inter-
ested and opposition is such in the Sen
ate that the nomination will fail cons
firmation, the President is notified, and
the nomination is withdrawn on mo-
ton of a Senator representing the Ex-
ecutive. These cases, however, are COM
paratively rare, and are only ones where
charges against candidates are not
cleared to the entire satisfaction of the
Senate.
There were not more than three or
four Postmaster nominations rejected
by the Senate during the last session.
One of these cases was the appointment
of Joseph T. Elliott for the Postmaster
ship at Middletown. Conn.,, to succeed
George /. Allen. The Middletown con-
troversy has been a nightmare for both
the President and the Postmaster-Gen-
eral for more than year, and from
present Indications there is a likelihood
that settlement of it may not be
reached until Congress convenes next
Winter. No appointment Of this char
acter for years has involved more men
of prominence and power or has been
more bitterly fought than the Middle
town case.
Postmaster Allen ended a four-yeaI
term last Spring. He sought reappoint-
administration, and was Endorsed by
Congressman Sperry and long list OF
business men and other patrons of the
Office. His enemies at once inaugurated
desperate fight against him on per-
sonal grounds. charging that his char
acter was such as to be obnoxious tt
the community. The Post-Offic De.
partment and White House were flood.
ed with letters and kilograms prote sting
len. When Secretary Taft visited Con.
necticut last Summer he was fully ad.
vised Of the situation, and 1t is under
stood later laid the information before
President Roosevelt.
A Post-Of1ce Inspector was sent t.
Middletown, and in his report of the
investigation recommended the ap
pointment Of Aliens successor Con
gresham Sperry was then requested t.
present the name of new man for the
place. This he refused to do.
Postmaster Allen proceeded to pu
up desperate fight by securing the in
dorsement of nearly every member o.
the Connecticut State Republican Cen
trail Committee. of which he is a mem.
Der, and the support of numerous STATE
officials as well as business men and
citizen of his home town. Besides, hi
enlisted the aid Of Senator Morgan g
Buckley, whom he materially assisted
in obtaining a seat in the United States
Senate.
Senator Buckley managed to fight OF
this end of the line, while his lieuten
ants in the State rendered whatever
aid was possible to his Postmaster
friend. Mr.. Buckley endeavored t.
have Postmaster-General Cortelyou re
move his objections to Aliens retention
Mr.. Cortelyou insisted that he would
recommend to the President nothing
but a removal, and held out in this con
tention until he left the Post Office De
par:ment on March 4. Senator Bulke
ley then appealed to the President II
behalf of his friend.
The case ran along for several week
until March 1, when, to the great sur
prise Of Senator Buckley and other
interested, the President sent to thu
Senate the nomination Of Joseph T. Ell
lott to succeed Mr. Allen. The mex
day the nomination was rejected. Mr.
Allen is still Postmaster, drawing hi
monthly stipend at the rate of $4,000 ;
year.
It is possible that the President ma.
give Elliott or some one other than AL
len a recess appointment. In the even
he does, the nomination is very likel.
to fall confirmation when the Senat,
considers II, since Senator Buckley i
as determined in his fight as the Presi
dent is in the stand he has taken in tn,
matter.
Wants to Find Comrades.