Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-04-29
OVER
MANASQUAN
POST OFFICE
(From the NEWS Correspondent)

(From the NEW CorrespondeHt)
Washington, April 29:-Tenure of
office as a postmaster was an uncer-
tain quantity in the 'old days" when
the spoils system permeated every
part of the federal government.
With the change of an administra-
ton, or at times the change of a
congressman and the incumbent of
many a post office, notwithstanding
his record for efficiency and reliabil-
ity might be unimpeached, would
have to relinquish the charge of his
office to make way for some ward
worker the organization was obliged
to reward in a substantial manner
With the advent of Theodore
Roosevelt into the White House, a
change ensued. The 'spoils system"
made way for civil service, to a large
extent, and the policy was adopted
that wherever postmaster was de-
voting his entire time to the duties
of his position, his services we're sat
isfactory to the department and pa
irons of the Office alike, he was con-
tinued in his office indefinitely. Nat
urally, such policy at times, up
sets the calculations Of the congress-
men, and even the plans of the poll
ticians at home" Nevertheless, the
department adheres to 1t closely.
Frank H. Hitchcock, postmaster
general, believes in rewarding the
efficiency of postmasters by retaining
them in office. H@nce, at times his
policy runs counter to the ideas of
some of the politicians. A case Of
this sort is that of the present post
O ucfo Of 10 ot.e,
ago when James e. Cook retired
from the position OF postmaster at
Manasquan, Monmouth county, j. p
Schoick was appointed to the place.
He discharged the duties of the offlce
with marked efficiency, and when his
term expired recently fully ninety
FIVE per cent of the patrons of the
office, it is said, signed a petition for
his appointment for another four
years.
Shortly before the expiration of
Van Schoick's term some of the lead
ing republicans Of Monmouth coun-
ty decided that it would be good
plan to make a change in the post
master at Manasquan. The execu
tive committee of Wall township had
a meeting and indorsed Edwin S. ".
Stultz. editor and owner of a news
paper at Spring Lake Beach, while a
resident Of Manasquan, for the posi-
ton. Some months before this had
been done o. H. Brown, state sena-
tor, had tentatively indorsed the
movement for the reappointment of
Mr.. Van Schoick, but when the town
ship committee demanded that he in
dorse Mr.. Stultz, he felt the neces-
sity for doing 1t.
1t had been understood that mas
much as Wall township was Senator
Browns home township, any man he
recommended for the position as
ipostm2eter at Manasquan would be
indorsed by tne- congressman. Ac
cordingly, when Mr.. StGitE''s name
was filed with the post office depts.
ment, 1t had the Endorsement Of Rep
Iresentatiye Howell, who was as good
as his promise to Senator Brown.
Mr.. Van Schoiek still retains the
office, and from what can be learned
lit is believed he will continue in the
capacity of postmaster Indefinitely
1T is understood that the post office
department is well pleased with his
record, satisfied with his efficiency,
and inasmuch as the people of the
town have no complaint, and the
policy Of the department is to re-
tain good men, it is difficult to un-
derstand just how he will be dis
placed. Since the recommendation
of the congressman for the appoint
ment of Mr.. Stultz has been unavail-
ing, it would appear that the officials
of the Post Office Department are
not bothered about pleasing the rep
resentatives or the politicians as was
the custom some years ago.