The Washington times., 1913-07-30
CHARGES TR|CKERY
j, BY POSTMASTERS
Illinois Democrat Tells Presi-
dent Wilson of Evils in
Small Offices.

Sensational charges of incompetency
and political trickery against Republican
third and fourth class postmasters Of
Illinois were presented today to Presi-
dent Wilson by a delegation of Illinois
Democrats including five of the Illinois
Congressmen and State Senator Kent E.
Keller.
State Senator Keller. who acted as
spokesman for the delegation. frankly
admitted that the purpose in bringing
these charges to the attention Of the
President was to bring about the dis
missal Of these men and the appoint
ment Of Democrats in their stead. He
declared that unless this is done the
Democrats win not have a chance to
capture the Congressional election in the
fall of 1914.
In the party with Mr.. Keller were
congressman Foster, Baltz Fowler,
Graham, and Hill. Senator James Ham
uton Lewis was to have gone before
the President with the delegation, but
he saw the President later.
Charges Mail Delay.
Among the charges preferred by the
delegation, State Senator Keller de-
clared that during the last election
when he was a candidate for the State
senate. he mailed eleven days before
the election a Jorge number of pictures
OF himself to constituents in his dis
trict. He charged that the delivery Of
these pictures was held up by the post
masters until. several days after the
election
Speaking in the corridor before seeing
the PreRidanf Mr.
The President may not wish to break
up the civil service system, and We
DO not wish him to do it. Neverthe-
less, It is a notorious fact in Illinois that
Ine civil service examinations held there
Ior postoffce Jobs, and particularly for
third and fourth class postma sters, are
farce. The Republicans have long
realized the tremendous power which
they enjoy from having Republicans in
tnese positions, especially around cleo
non time, when political parties are
mailing campaign literature. Conse-
QnentIy the examinations are a farce,
cno Republicans have always won out
conditions in some of these postal dis
1ncts are disgrace. and yet Repub-
mean inspectors have blandly stated
slter each Investigation that things are
Asks for Investigation.
What we want President Wilson to
DO. and what we believe he will do
when once he is in possession of the
racts, is TO appoint at least twenty DEM
ocrauc inspectors to learn the truth.
When that is learned, these Republican
postmasters can be turned out. and
democrats given an equal chance to
land the jobs.
I'm many Of the Congressional dis
tr1cts the lines are very closely drawn
between the Democrats and the Re
puolicans. The appointment of one
third or fourth class postmaster in a
single district might change the entire
situation. Recently Republican was
appointed in Congressman Hilfs district
and II has cost us I50 voters in one
precinct Something has simply got to
and we believe that while the President
intends TO uphold the civil service rules,
he is good enough politician to ap-
preciate cur difficulties.
II have been trying to stir up our
fellows In Congress to call on the Presi-
dent before this and lay the matter be-
fore him, but they have been a little
ttmid, and have not wished to bother
him. came here believing that the
President is one to whom anybody can
talk freely and as man to man"
Some Incompetent.
"'Referring to some of these exami-
nations that have been held for these
postmasterships. I may say that
once taught school in my district, and
have a pretty good line on the abili-
ties OF the younger men there. I know
that one Of the men now on the force
Of the postmaster at Murphysboro,
Jackson county, can barely read and
write, while others who took the ex-
animation. but were Democrats and
did not land, are among the most in
telligent and quick-minded fellows in
the community.
The whole system there in Illinois Is
rotten. and once It is aired through
Investigations by other than Republi-
can inspectors, there is not much
chance OF many OF the incumbents re-
naming"
Mr.. Keller managed the campaign Of
Senator James Hamilton Lewis in Il
hnois. and is regarded as one Of the
powerful political leaders of the State