The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-26
SAVE II MILLION
Merit System for POstmasters
an Economy Move.
To Put Them on Basis of Nom
partisan Merit.
(BY MILES POINDEXTER)

(Written for the United Press.)
Washington, March 26.-The action
of the president in adopting the merit
system in the appointment of first,
second and third class postmasters
and taking this patronage" out of
politics will save the government, at
a conservative estimate, . million dol
lars a year and will increase the eff
cheney of the postal service. This sys-
tenn becomes effective week from
Monday.
There are SGT first class Offices
2,213 second class; 7.437 third class,
and 1898 fourth class offices. The
fourth class offices were placed in the
classified civil service several years
ago by President Taft.
The application of the principle.
however. was so perverted that it did
not bring the desired result. Three
names were certified on a list of eligi-
BILE applicants. In nearly all cases
there was at least one Democrat on
the list and N nearly all cases this
Democrat was appointed. 1t only
brought the system into ridicule be-
cause it was sham and hypocritical
application of it.
This did the merit system harm be-
cause some who took only a super
fetal view of the matter blamed the
principle itself for the result, where
as the real fault was the failure to
apply in truth and in fact the merit
principle The criticism really was
against the old spoils system masquer-
aiding in the guise of the merit system
So far as announced, the forthcom-
ing order will not affect incumbent
postmasters during their present term
but will apply to appointments or re-
appointments at the end of that term
instead OF perV ersion of the princi-
pie by giving the appointment to the
Democrat on the list of three, the ap-
plicant standing highest on the list
and having the other necessary quail
hcat1ons as to general character will
be appointed. regardless of politics
This change will add to the dignity
of congressman by relieving them from
the obligations and humiliat tons of
political appointments. 1t will take
away from the executive branch of the
government one of the powerful in
tluences OF inducements, which in
times past have frequently been used
to direct and control the actions of
Congress. Anyone can see the effect
OF such influences upon the indepen-
dence of that branch of the govern
ment. 1t is a deterior lting influence
m m as well as intellectually. and
II ailCW we'd to control the entire civil
service would lead to its ruination
L proposed this change bv an
amendment to the poStoffice bill two
years ago. put IL went out on a point
OF order. This year when the leeisla-
i've executive and judicial approprfa-
tior bill came to the senate it con
tanned Certain general legislation rela-
tive to postoffice employees. This
year when the legislative, executive
ana Judicial appropriation bill came to
the senate 1t contained certain general
leslslatlon relative TO postoffice en-
ployees- This gave an opportunity for
an amendment on the same subject
and L reoffered the amendment taking
the postofffce appointments out of
politics and providing that they shouId
pc appointed on merit in accordance
service rules.
AT later time 1 will briefly discuss
the manner in which this change will
improve the service and curtaiI its ex-
pehse, and the opportunity for reward
IL Will give to faithful employees.