Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-21
DEMOCRATS WORRYING OVER P. o. PATRONAGE
NieNs Differ at Washington on Fourth
 class Post Office order.

The incoming Connecticut demo- cratic delegation at Washington differ among themselves over the order is- sued by President Taft several months ago putting all fourth class pestmast- CTS under the civil service. Repre- tentative Reilly, member of the house committee on post offices and post roads, thinks it is good thing. But some of his new colleagues think not.
 Most of the old members realize the wisdom of getting minor patron age, like fourth cls ss postnasters, taken out of thei rhands. Then the wrath of the unsuccessful candidates would be directed at the impersonal post office department instead of at the luckless congressman who depends for reelection upon the people.
 There is still another view to take of the fourth class postmastership pressed by a Connecticut democrat. here, that with the civil service order in force 1t will be possible in prac- t1caI administration of the law to re- when desired particularly by the con- gressman concerned, provided the matter is gone about in an orderly manner and the democratic candidate can pass an alleged texamination.'
 One phase of the postmaster ques- tion is of recent development 1t is said that there is a movement on the part of postmasters in towns located near large cities to have their post offices consolidated with the larger offices in the adjacent towns.
 The postmaster in the small office is usually made superintendent of the station This puts him under the civil service without question. what ever the fate of the fourth class post mastership civil service order may be under the Wilson administration.
 ;. There have been recent evidences in Connecticut of this movement which is said to be opposed by some democrats. Not long ago Groton was ordered consolidated with New Lon don for post office purposes, and there have been other similar consultations. One of the last ordered was the con- soltdation of Stratford with Bridge port for post office purposes. The postmaster of Stratford in this case becomes superintendent of the Strat- ford station, 1t is said. This deprives Representative elect Jerry Donovan of expectations but MT. Donovan, who has returned to Washington, is not shedding tears as hot fight has of late developed among several candi- dates for the Stratford postmaster ship.
 It is reported that the Connecticut democrats in the next congress will divide up the general patronage in their districts, excepting the post masterships and collecIorships of GUS toms in the respective districts whiesl, 1t is expected, will be at the disposal of the congressman from these dis tricts. Under the suggested division plan one man could take the collector ship of internal revenue, another the United States marshalship, and so on,. If the ideas of some Connecticut dem ocrats prevail even the Connecticut Republican senators will get some consideration in regard to federal of ficials in their home towns. These would include the collector of cus- toms and postmaster at New London, Senator Brandegee's home perhaps. Senator Mclean recently named the postmaster of Simsbury. These mat ters will doubtless be settled at a caucus in the spring