The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1922-08-02

cent Of taxes, except dollar poll tax
and the records in the municipal, state
and the federal courts--both on the
civil and criminal side-show that his
record in an uncnviable one. do not
| mean to say that it is necessary for a
man to own property to hold office;
far be it from me to take any such
position, but Tolbert is sailing under
false colors.
been appointed referee has shown
him to be spokesman of the worst
class. For instance, under the prac-
tice Of this administration in select
ing postmasters, the civil service com
mission sends to the post office de-
partment the three names making the
highest marks, and this department
delegates to Tolbert-the referee u
the right to select which ever he
chooses. These Offices are not political
ones, and in our state; the patrons are
not one per cent. of Republicans, and
the offices should be kept out of poll
tics. However, under party rules,
where they have competent person,
it is their privilege to appoint them,
and we have made no objection.
"In these matters Tolbert has ruth
lessly ignored the spirit of the civil
service and has refused to recon-
mend parties making the highest
marks, except in very few cases. He
has almost universally ignored the
claims of ladies and ex-service men,
Unedr the spirit of the civil service
rules, cx-soldiers should receive the
preference, but this had had no
weight with Tolbert, even where they
make the highest marks. He has en-
deavored to turn lady postmasters out
where they have been in Office many,
many years, and where they have
made the highest marks. Moreover,
he has turned out many faithful Of
,, ficials--some who have served in this
, department for practically DO years,
! and he named persons who were to-
tally without experience-and these
, not Republicans either.
"In other words, he has run rough
| shod over our people and seems to be
drunk with the power of little au-
thority.
Worst of all, under previous ad-
ministrations, am Informed that the
referee in our state sold patronage
and that the universal charge was one
half OF the first years salary, and it
is now claimed, and generally believed,
that this practice is in vogue; the
proof presented to me is unauestion
able on the subject and is convincing
beyond the peradventure of a doubt.
The practice is to divide the state in
districts and have someone in each
district look after this part of the
nefarous business. am told of manv
instances where the Offices were sold
one bringing $3.50, another $1,000,
another 5000, another $4,000, and diff
1crent sums al laround the state
where was competition A recent case
was reported, where $1,000 was paid
and the party failed to get the Office,
and after considerable wrangling, the
funds were returned. It is alleged
that appointees to small Offices, often
have to contribute
Rejected by Senate
"One OF Tolbcrt's referees was re-
Gently rejected by the senate because
he endcavoreA to get a lady postmas-
ter to pay him $500 to get her con-
frmed. An affidavit of one of his
former followers states Tolbert ad-
mitted he expected to realize $780,
600 from this source
Il can rot condonc the practice of
buying an office, and if the conpcti-
tors would cease bidding against each
other, this most disgraseful pracsice
would be obliNeratcd. However, they
are to be piCfed for being forced TO
come in contact with sucf corrupt.