The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-16
MOON DEPIES WILSON
IN FIGHT FOR SPOILS
President, Feeling Criticism,
Will Veto Post Office Bill if
Rider Carries.
BURLESON MAKES A PLEA
Tells Hungry Patronage Seek
ing Democrats Service Would
Be Crippled.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 15.-President Will
son has decided to make n stand for the
merit principle In opposition to the rider
OF the post office bill which would return
assistant postmasters to appointment by
spells hunters.
He has determined to prevent any
further raids upon the classified service
such as were made by the Democrats in
the passage of the tariff. currency and
urgent deficiency bills at the last session
These measures withdrew from the CLASH
fed service thousands of desirable posi-
lions and placed them ut the disposal OF
the party faithful.
The President signed the measures, but
In each case made some explanation OF
his action with view to discouraging
further efforts to break down the merit
system. Although the President did not
in any of these explanations admit that
the spirit of the civil service law was
being violated the general belief was that
Mr.. Wilson at heart disapproved of the
exemption. He RETAINED from vetoing the
larger ends he was seeking.
The statement was made on high
authority to-day that the President would
veto the post office appropriation bill II
1t came to him with the Objectionable
spells system rider attached. The Presi-
dent has already taken steps to inform
House leaders of the Administrations at
titude. This was done in n letter written
with the Presidents knowledge and APP
prevail by Postmaster Burleson
to Chairman Moon of the House Commit
tee on Post Offices and Post Roads.
Mr. Burieson denounced the proposed
exemption as subversive of the best in
tcrcsts of the postal service. saying.
There are 2,i64 post offices of the first
and second class in which the post !ons
OF assistant postmasters are classified.
All. save about 100, persons occupying
these positions are within the classified
services. In these 100 cases the
benefits and rights of classification have
been withheld because they failed to
satisfy the Department as to their ca
pacity for efficient service.
Tn tho interest of the most efficient
and effective postal service. IL is vitality
necessary that the positions OF assistant
postmasters be filled by persons specially
qualified to discharge the duties thereof,
and ] feel that no person should hold the
position of assistant postmaster whose
capacity and efficiency have not been
properly and thoroughly tested"
President Wilson Is said to feel keenly
criticisms that the Administration has
countenanced attempts to break the force
of the civl service law. Attention was
directed to-day to an editorial attack OF
Col. George Harvey. tho Presidents for
MGR friend and political sponsor. Col.
Harvey recalled that when Mr.. Wilson
was nominated he WAS serving as vice.
president of the National Civil Service
Reform League Col. Harvey charged
in effect that in signing n number OF bills
since he became President Mr.. Wilson
had given evidence that he had ex.
perienced change as TO the merit prin-
ciple.
Trouble Ahead for Wilson.
In his efforts to persuade his "legisla-
tive colleagues to respect the merit
principle President Wilson Is bound to
have much trouble. The pressure for
patronage is as strong now as II was in
the early days of the Administration. The
party workers In the field are clamoring
for recognition. and with the Congress
elections In sight they cannot be lightly
ignored.
Evidence OF the temper Of the Demo-
Gratis in the House was given In to-day's
debate on the post office appropriation
bill Representative Moon of Tennessee.
IN charge OF the bill, hung defiance ut
President Wilson and Postmaster General
Burleson.
"The President does not approve this
section OF the BILL" said Mr.. Moon In
his speech. But this committee is not
here to bow to the Will of the President
or to bow to the will OF tho present
Postmaster-General. Suppose the Presi-
dent does veto the bill because this
section is In il
Hints at Overriding Veto.
He remarked that the Presidents pre-
rogative of veto was sufficient perhaps to
neutralize tho effect OF the expressed
wish OF a majority and that II the House
was not able to override the Presidents
veto so much the worse for the House.
Mr.. Moon pointed out that u proper
development OF the civil service law as
now enforced meant the additional burden
on the Government ultimately of n civil
pension list. This Mr.. Moon thought was
to be deplorad
Mr.. Moon expressed the opinion that
none but Democrats should be put on
guard" He considered the last Presi-
dental election "a victory not alone for
Woodrow Wilson and Thomas r. Mar
shall but for the whole Democratic
party"
"Whom did the people OF the United
States elect in the November balloting of
1912" shouted Mr., Moon. Did they
elect only Woodrow Wilson and his Cabi-
net? No; they elected the whole Demo-
cratic party"