The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1910-04-21

upon a civil service basis. In conse-
quence Of an order, or rather an ar.
rangement, similar TO that made with
reference to fouTth-class postmasters
when Theodore Roosevelt was presi-
dent. It is known definitely that the
postmaster general is in favor Of a
change and also that 1t meets with the
approval Of the president There are
reasons why the arrangement cannot
be put into effect Just at the present
time. for the change means much and
requires a good deal Of thought; but
1t is certain that one day the post
masters Of all classes below the first
class will hold their offices under what
will practically amount to the civil
service rule.
Moreover, the postmaster general
has in mind plan by which ultimate
ly, perhaps not during this admins
tration but later when political opin-
ion" has been educated to the inno-
walton, to make 1t within the power Of
any subordinate official in the
branches Of the postofice department
all over the country to profit by civil
service rules to the extent that by
attention to business and a showing
of ability they may advance in the diff.
ferent grades until finally they can
become postmasters by promotion.
rather than by, as is the case now.
direct appointment.
If the second and third class post.
Offices are put on a civil service basis
means that men now in the service
and who do their work to the salts
faction of the department and people
can keep their places until death re-
moves them or old age units them fol-
their work. The civil service advo
Gates for many years have urged that
something of this kind be done and II
seems probable that during the pres
ent administration it may be done
and it is said that Mr. Taft does moi
fear that there will be much objection
either from Democratic or Republican
members of congress.
More "Back From EIba" Rumors.
The meeting of Theodore Roosevelt
and Clifford Pinchot, and the report
seemingly authentic, but which late
met with a partly conclusive denial
to the effect that Mr.. Roosevelt haC
broken his friendship with Mr.. Taft
have started stories again to the effec
that there is to be a real Back From
Elba" ending to Mr.. Roosevelt's fou
years of retirement from public office
This is matter which best can b.
treated plainly from the standpoint o
many of the Washington friends Of tn
former president, who think that the
know his views on Second electiv
term" for himself, or for third term
as most people generally speak Of Il
There are many close friends Of tn
former president who would like to Sc
him in office again, but those friend
say that they do not believe he woul
consent to run, although 1t may b
that if the party's demand was unan
nous, he might be induced to becom
once again the candidate of his part
for the presidency.
There are men In Washington VIII
talked with Mr.. Roosevelt about tn
second elective term" proposition pr
or to the time that Mr. Taft was a
avowed candidate for the nomination
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Roos
velt issued two statements saying sp
officially that he would not be a cand
date for the nomination in 1908. Fl
did not say in these statements thu
he never would be candidate agail
and it should be said that as far 6
can be learned ne never told any I
his friends directly that he would NJ
consent to run again for the pres
dency at some future time, but he d
say some things that made them b
lieve it was not his intention ev'
again to become candidate for II
presidency.
Mr.. RooseveIt's Position.
! Those who talked with Mr.. Roos
velt about the possibility of his aga
seeking the presidency say explicit
that he gave no positive expression
personal feeling on the subject of Il
, propriety of third term, or "secol
elective term" if you will. for al
man, but that he did say certa
things which led them to believe tn
he thought that the American peop
! would not like the idea Of putting al
man in the White House for the thi
} time. From what can be gather
: from those who talked to Mr.. Roos
t velt about this matter it seems he fl
that the people at heart were oppos
I to third terms.
1 Democrats See Victory.
It seems to be the settled belief
certain political circles in the capt.
? that unless the present congress pU
3 into effect most of the legislati
I which Mr.. Taft has recommended, t
+ Republicans in the middle west a
8 the far west, becoming tired Of del;
+ will start an actual movement for
: nomination of Theodore Roosevelt
1912. The Democrats say that tn
would like nothing better than to ha
: this done, for they seem to feel Il
a third term prejudice, although,
they express it, attempts might
t made to weaken it with second ell
+ tive term" excuses, will prevail W
: the people, and that even a man
h popular as Theodore Roosevelt, wol
! go down to defeat.
e | GEORGE CLINTON