The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-03-14
PRESIDENT STANDS
FOR MERIT SYSTEM
1t Is Settled There Will Be
No Spells Under Wilson
Administration.

WASHINGTON, March 14.-It is
settled that there is to be no revision
to the spoils system under this admin
istration. Persons who thought they
knew their man were confident that
the new President would prove him.
self firm supporter of the merit sys-
tenn as applied to the public service,
but there were a good many Demo
Gratis who up until the last few days
were still expressing the conviction
that Mr. Wilson would, in some meas
ure at least, yield to the demand Of
the spoilsmen.
Persons who held that view are now
willing to admit they were wrong. 1t is
to be the policy of the administration
to strengthen the merit system by i'm
proving the civil service laws.
Would Extend Classified Service.
1t may be safely predicted thus ear
ly In the new administration that il
President Wilson can obtain the sup
port of congress, the classified service
will be further extended. There is ev-
cry reason to believe that he would
like to see. all postmasters, collectors
of customs. all United States mar
shals and all collectors of internal rev.
enue brought within the classified SER
vice. Whether this step can be accom-
plished during his term of office will
depend on the legislative branch of
the office, for the chief executive is
without authority to bring these class
es of office holders under the civil
service law by executive order.
There were limitations today that
within the course of a week or two
the administration would be prepared
to make an official announcement
with respect to it's attitude toward the
merit system.
Question Already UP.
The question as to the policy to be
followed has already arisen in con-
nection with the order issued by Presi-
dent Taft last October, bringing with
in the classified service those fourth
class postmasters who were not put
under the civil service law five and
one-half years ago. The question as
to the precise policy that shall govern
has also come up in connection with
ments to the consular service.
The fourth class misunderstanding
are not to be turned over. to the spoils-
men. 1t is barely possible that the
fourth class postmasters who were
placed in the classified service by the
order of last October may be required
to pass an examination for the pur-
pose of ascertaining whether they are
qualified to become permanent ser
wants of the government.
Indiana Not Affected.
A requirement of this kind would
not affect the fourth class postmasters
only to fourth class postmasters in
the south and west. The order of five
and a half years ago transferred to
the classified service the fourth class
postmasters north of the Ohio river
and east of the Mississippi river.
1t is within the range of possibilities
that a test of some sort may be pro-
vided for applicants for presidential
misunderstanding. This has never
been done. Both the President and
postmaster-general feel that before
postmastership the government
should through some means or other,
ascertain whether he is qualified to
fill the position. 1t is question
whether, under existing law, the post
Office department could make a re-
quirement of this sort Unquestion-
ably it is to be the policy of the new
administration to work for legislation
which will eventually make it possible
for President Wilson to bring all
presidential postmasterships under
the civil service law.
More Than One Term.
There are now 1927 presidential
postoffices. and in round numbers So
900 fourth class postoffices. Most of
the presidential misunderstanding
throughouts the country have served
more than one term. 1t was the fixed
policy of the Taft administration to
continue efficient postmasters in Of
fee. For instance, of the 1870 presi-
Dental postmasters appointed during