The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-03-10

charge IS TOO Much
ACTIVITY IN POLITICS
Minnesota PostmasterS Warned
To Keep Mum
ECHO OF LYNCH Fight
Head of the Department at
Washington Sent Out
His Letter
from Saturday, Daily.

From Saturday, pary..
st. Paul March democratic
postmasterS in Minnesota are accused
by the anti-Lynch faction of PERM
clous political activity" in the primary
campaign, and responding to COM
plants, the postoffice department has
issued a warning to all presidential
poStmasters in Minnesota to "observe
the regulations" with regard to po-
litical activity. Several postmasters,
including Otto N. Raths of st. Paul,
are accused specifically in connection
with the recent democratic state con-
ference.
Spurred to action by bitter COM
plants from the Minnesota democra-
tic faction opposed TO National Com
mitteeman Fred B. Lynch. the post
office department at Washington has
issued warning to postmasters in
Minnesota against undue activity in
the coming presidential primaries.
Specific complaints against certain
postmasters have singled them out for
special attention, and one of them
Postmaster Otto n. Raths OF st. Paul.
left last night for Washington, where
he will answer charges of conduct UNI
becoming a postal official in connec-
tion with the recent democratic state
conference.
Every Minnesota postmaster OF
presidential grade has received the de-
partmental warning in the form of a
letter from Daniel c.. Roper. first as
sistant postmaster general.
Cut Out The Criticisms.
ut is represented TO the depart
mcnt," says one Of these letters. that
certain postmasters are ma,-:.cc""s- :
undue political activity in connection
with the primaries shortly to be held
in Minnesota for the selection of DEL
egates to the national convention.
while there is no disposition or
intention on the part aof the depart
ment to deprive postmasters of their
rights as citizens, yet the department
must insist that postmasters observe
the regulations, and so conduct them
selves as to avoid criticism with re-
card to political activity ana protect
the service from any reflections OF
this character"
In the cases of postmasters who
have been specifically accused. the
department has asked for statements
replying to the accusations.
"Rump" Delegation Is Charged.
Anti-Lynch democrats have in
formed Postmaster General A. S. Bur
Lesson that scores Of postmasters took
part in the democratic state confer
ence in St Paul on February 3, and
were active in manipulating the cleo
ton of delegates to this conference
Postmaster Raths in particular. is &C
cused of getting up q "rumD" delega-
ton which was seated in the confer
ence, and of including several post
office employees in that delegation
Mr.. Burleson. according to the anti
Lynch men, has assured them that al
charges of undue political activity by
postmasters will be gone into thor
| oughly,> and that thew viii get {
Square deal" Accordingly they have
sent out word over the state to anti
Lynch men. In any case where a
! postmaster is found working actively
| for candidates in the coming primary
| p statement of the facts, signed by
| five reputable witnesses. is to be SEM
. tl1cSanti-Lynch headquarters at the
West hotel in MINNEAPOLIS, and viii
| then be taken up with the depart
ment