The National tribune., 1907-04-11
APPOINTMENT OF PosTMAsTERs
The Administration Has Modified Its
Policy OF Disregard OF Political OppO-
AltfOu.

The Administration Has Modified It's
Policy Of Disregard OF Political Oppo-
sitiOn.
Politicians throughout the country
will heartily welcome the old system
respecting the appointment of Post
masters, which has again been put into
practice by the Administration. Dur
ing the past two or more years these
appointments We're made strictly on the
merit rule. When a Postmaster, no
matter what class Office he held, had
performed the duties of the office to
the satisfaction of the Department and
majority of the patrons, he was rec
commended by the Postmaster-General
for reappointment regardless of what
political opposition arose. Nominations
by the President depended entirely up
on the recommendations of his Cabinet
officers. In other words, the Office was
taken out of politics and conducted
purely as a business institution.
Peculiar influences have brought
about a change. While the recent
stringent rule has not been altogether
abolished, 1t has been made considera-
bly, elastic. But few Congressman fav-
ored the merit rule; they declared in
unqualified terms their contempt for a
rule that curtailed what power they
asserted belonged rightfully to them.
They showed this disposition particu-
larly in cases where they desired to
"unhorse" a Postmaster who was hos
tile to their political interests or in in
stances where they had made promises
On the other hand, in cases where ap-
pointments were being fought for by
number of their friends, Congressman
would contend that on account of the
rule they were helpless to interfere and
that the Department must bear the re-
spOnsibility."
Under the recent policy the only in
stances where a Congressman would be
consulted by the Administration were
cases where Postmasters were either
removed for cause, died, or resigned.
Then the Postmaster-Generalw would d.
rect letter to the Congressman, in
forming him of the case and requesting
that he recommend candidate. This
tended to make most Congressman furi-
Gus. They declared that If they were
not consulted in all pOstoffice appoint
ments, they wished to wash their hands
of any responsibility concerning them
whatever. This condition of affairs
naturally caused trouble for the De-
partment
Apparently showing disregard for
the established policy in regard to these
appointments, Congressman daily cham
pioned the cause of their friends and
supporters. In large numbers they
could be found daily during the two
sessions of the past Congress waiting
upon First Assistant Postmaster-G Gen
eral Hitchcock, who Is the referee" in
these matters. He makes his recon.
mendations to the Postmaster General
and the latter official governs his rec
concentration to the President accord
ingly. Not satisfied with the efforts be-
fore the First Assistant Postmaster
General, Congressman would carry
their fights to the Postmaster-Ge General
and, as Il last resort, would go to the
White House and kick up a rumpus.
Should the President contend that he
must abide by the recommendations of
the Postmaster-G then Congress-
men have in many instances enlisted for
support of Senators to force action faV-
orable to their desires. If the Presi-I
dent didn't see fit to act in accordance
with the desires of the Senator's and
made inimicable nominations, they were
invariably rejected when considered for
confirmation.
1t is averred that another considera-
ton was to some degree responsible for
bringing about Il change in the policy
OF postofiice appointments. The House
of Representatives as is well known,
has always been found more willing to
adopt legislation recommended by the
President than the Senate. However
the recent session disclosed formidable
opposition among party leaders in the
House to certain legislation specially
desired by the President. This sort of
retaliation was effective. 1t resulted
at least, in a reversal of the iron-cIad
rule of appointing Postmasters.