The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-25

" because the status of these fourth
class postmasters occasioned lively
political debate in the house a cou-
pie weeks ago.
Better to Do 1t Without Apology.
There was a good deal of open SYM
pathy with the position of Congress
man Bartlett of Georgia, who con-
tended in an amendment which he Of
fered, that President Taft's order
should be repealed. The amendment
however, was not passed-first, be-
cause the Democrats did not want to
go upon record as opponents of the
civil service, and, second, because
Democrats are going to get the places,
just the same. AS a matter of fact.
they ought to. Republicans went in
after Mckinley succeeded Cleveland,
and it is perfectly right and proper
that they should go out, now that the
Democrats are again in power. the
pity is, however, that there has to be
anything like Subterfuge. 1t would be
great deal better if Republicans
could be ousted and Democrats APP
pointed without any apology or make
believe.
During the debate it was directly
charged that it was the ultimate IN
tention of the administration to appoint
Democrats as the result of so-called ex-
aminations and the charge was not de-
MED. BY the time the next presiden-
tial campaign rolls around it may be
taken for granted that the postmasters
will form a solid Democratic phalanx-
There will not be enough Republicans
in office to form a corporaPS guard.
Why should there be such struggle
over these fourth-class postmaster
ships? Because the men who fill the
places are the most important politi-
cal factors in their small communities.
The Village Postmaster.
The village postmaster, among the
thousands of federal office holders, is
the one representative of the govern
ment who is really near to the people.
His store, with it's letter box behind
the counter, is the rendezvous for the
farmers of the neighborhood and the
people in the town. He is the village
oracle. The information which he gath
ers goes to the county chairman and
then to the district chairman and to
his congressman, if the latter is of his
political faith. He is not only cog in
the political wheel but one upon which
much reliance is placed.
All of the party leaders in congress
agree that it is a great asset to control
the postmasters. Possession does not
always guarantee victory-as witness
the result of the campaign last year
but it must be remembered that the
postma Sterships were really a source
of weakness of Mr.. Taft. A very large
NUMBER OF the OlllCldlS IIdN DCSh oP-
pointed by President Mckinley as long
ago as 1896 President Roosevelt did
not displace them, and President Taft |
continued them in office. Even if they
were only middle-aged men when APP
pointed they were advanced consider
a bly, in years in 1912. There was SEN
timent in many localities that it was
time for young men to come to the
front. and this accounts. in some de-
gree t least, for the accesSions to the |
Progressive party. 1t would have been |
a good deal better for Mr.. Taft's po- |
litical welfare if he had been less con-
siderate. As it was. the army of fed |
eral postmasters, instead of being his |
Youthful. alert, enthusiastic and ener- |
getic adherents were largely, just the |
reverse. There will be a new deal all |
around if the Republicans ever get
back into power
Realizing that 10000 postmasters,
scattered all over the country, are !
political agency which |
should not be attached to any gov |
ernmental department, it has been |
suggested that postmasters, as Well as |
other officials should be elected by |
the people This is the proposition |
contained in an amendment to the
offered by Congressman
Cullop of Indiana. -
The Power of Presidential Patronage.
The power of the presidential pa
is already very great. 1t must
De curtailed in the future if it is not
o prove a serious menace to free
government. One of the methods by
which this power can be checked is
o provide for the election of post
masters The choice of each COM
could thus be expressed by
of the voters and there is no
ioubt that much could be said in ia
,or of the system. Certain it is that
he postoffice department, which is
'eally a mammoth business inStitu-
ion, should not be allowed to de-
into a mere political engine,
With every postma ster selected mere
Y upon his record as party worker.
1t is liable to be a long time, how
,ver, before popular election of post
masters becomes fixed fact. In the
Meantime, we have the spectacle of a
'apid change in the personnel of the
1ostmasters, and we have the knowl-
,dge that 10000 faithful and expec-
ant Democrats are to come into their
'eward. l.. w. THAVIS.