The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-12-26
THE P0STOFF|CE
AND POLITICS
Representative Norris Says
Department Is Greatest
Political Machine

Washington. Dec. o6-Declaring
that the United States postoffice de-
nartment is the greatest political ma
chine in the country, Represenaive
George W. Norris Of Nebraska in q
lecture on Progressive Citizenship"
last night in Ingram Memorial Con-
gregational church. painted in black
colors the workings of partisan poll
tics. He predicted that the time was
approaching when government posi-.
tions would be taken out Of party
politics.
Mr.. Norris made this charge against
the postoff1ce department in citing the
existing political conditions In the Re.
publican party in Alabama, selected
politics which was arousing the public
spirit and cultivating progressive citi-
zenship.
"The Alabama Republican state
central committee" said Mr.. Norris,
'is composed of forty-six members.
Would you believe it, forty-three Of
this number are federal offlceholders,
postmasters in that state. while the
other three are private citizens We
allowed to take an active part In poll
tics. but forty-three men holding this
Office In Alabama are directing the
affairs Of the Republican party in that
state. What does such a condition
mean in the nomination Of a presi-
dent? Those three private citizens. il
they were to insurge against tho great
| complish nothing and would have a
| very lonesome time.
THE condition in the postoffice de.
partment Is bad enough now. but 1t
has been worse. Some Of the men,
| bers OF the department have been put
under civil service: others under a
threat The demand is going to be
made by the people Of this country
that this great department. the work.
homes, he taken out of politics. Then
our postal service will be run more
efficiently and more economically.
THE progressive citizens of the
country, who are steadily growing in
number. are also going to demand the
elimination of the secret caucus, which
has been such factor In the enact
ment OF state and national legislation.
The secret caucus is the enemy of free
| the will of the free people is thwarted
and the combinations aided. Until the
movement started by what is known
as the insurgent element of the Re-
publican party. there was no caucus
held which was not controlled by a
small minority.
:'Ninety-nine per cent of our legis-
lation ie devoid Of partisan nature.
This spirit Of awakening which is
sweeping the country will cause to
cease the custom Of choking through
this legislation by purely non-partisan
| men. This same spirit Is going to de.
mand that the on-partisan Office shall
not be filed by men who are selected
by parhsans and run on partisan
tickets.
THE day has passed when any par
ty. no matter how large its majority.
can railroad into office a candidate
merely because he is party man. The
people have demanded that the party
shall not be placed above the country.
When the little band of insurgents
in congress undertook to right a
wrong which existed in their party,
they were condemned by all those
men who place party above the coun-
try. The condemnation came from
the white house down to the man Of
low!iest position In the party. Their
patronage. which is the oil which
keeps the machine going. was taken
away. An effort was made to drive
! them from the field. hut the backing
Of we'll crystalized public opinion
brought about the conditions for
which they fought.