Evening journal., 1921-04-12
MERIT SYSTEM IN POsTOFFIcE DEPARTMENT.

ID BSTORAnON OF the merit system in appointments to
IL the classified civil service OF the government in
place OF the partisan system pracced by the Wilson Ad
mnistaton is OF the projects being urged by leading
Republicans at the national capital
It will be remembered that Immediately upon the ac-
cession OF President Wilson TO the executive office in
March 1919 nearly all Republicans holding important
positions were reliessd and in the succeeding months
there gradual weedng-oui process the subordi-
nate positions with the result that practically the entire
government service placed in the control OF Demo-
crats particularly Democrats from the South
The grossest abuse under the spos system that
perperaied by the Democratic Administration in the Post
office Department Commissions OF postmasters are for
period OF four years. Wilson into office on March T.
1918 and for slightly than four years made post
office appointments partisan basis
At the end Of March, 1917 he issued an executive order
providing that where vacancies occur in postonces OF
the FIRST second and third classes which are the pres-
dental Offices the vacancies shall be filled in pursuance
OF examinations conducted by the Civil Service Commits
sion. This announced a in the interest or
civil service reform" It pretended establishment
Of the merit system but in fact perpetration or
attempt at perperaon OF parsanship in Civil Ser
vice appointments.
The executive order did not provide for the hing OF
vacancies caused by expiration OF or by death resg
nation removal but merely for the nng OF vacancies
in OF DEATH resignation removal leaving an OF the
then ncumbents TO hold indefinitely unless vacancy
should be created by Of the three methods specified
II virtually giving life lease 10 the Democratic ap-
poiniees on the positions they had been able secure
There has been very direct charge that not only was
this executive order made the Of perpeang ap-
pointments made uRder partisan methods, but that
after the order made pressure was brought upon
the Civil Service Commission 10 appointments in
violation Of The spirit Of the order the President had made
I For example, in 1919 vacancy occurred in the post
office at Lockhart Texas and at the examination CON
Quoted for the purpose Of filling the vacancy niece Of
the posmasterge OF candidates but did
not stand highest the list Of those who took the ex
animation.
Members OF the Civil Service Commission refused e
certify her FOR appointment and the designations Of two
Of the members thereafter requested. There ha
never been satisfactory explanation OF the reason VIII,
these two members compelled to resign and there
fore there has always been presumption that the al
minisrauon desired commissioners who would give hee
I 70 gentle hints from the White House or the Posionc
Department TO the which their duties shou
e be performed
What The Republicans desire Is that all those VIII
secured their appointments by partisan methods shall
required TO take a competitive examination at the OK
piration Of their terms and that an citizens be given
4 equal opportunity to secure the Federal positions