The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-08-01


has almost universally ignored, the
claims of ladies and ex-service men. !
Under the spirit of the civil service
rules, ex-soldiers. should receive the
preference, but this had had no. weight
with Tolbert, even where they, make
the highest marks. He has endeavored
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 turn
ed out many faithful officials
who have served in this department
for practically 40 years, and he named
persons who We're totally without ex-
perience-ands these not Republicans
either.
"In other words, he has run rough
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 be-
lieved, that this practice is in vogue;
the proof presented to me is unques-
.ionable on the subject and is convinc-
ing 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 nefarious business. 1 am told
of many instances where the offices
were sold-one bringing $3.50, anoth-
er $1,000, another 5000, another ST.
600, and different sums all around the
state where was competition. A re-
cent case was reported, where $1,000
was paid and the party failed to get
the office, and after considerable
wrangling, the funds were returned.
1t is alleged that appointees to small
offices otter have to contribute.
"One of Tolbert's referees was re-
Gently rejected by the senate because
he endeavored to get lady postnas.
ter to pay him $500 to get her con-
firmed. An affidavit of on of his
former followers states Tolbert ad-
mitted he expected to realize $780,
COO from this source.
II can not condone the practice of
buying an Office, and if the competl.
tors would cease bidding against each
other, this most disgraceful practice
would be obliterated. However, they
are to be pitied for being forced to
come in contact with such corrupt
system. 1t can readily be seen thac
someone will have to fill the office
anyway.
Furthermore, l am told by the best
authorities that Tolbert Is by no
means in sympathy with the enforce
ment of the prohibition law, and even
has Dragged to this effect. 1t is shown
by affidavit that he had barrel of H.
quor at one time. Many of his asso-
ciates- are among the most lawless
class of our peaple, and it is COM
monty reported that he has formed
political combination with certain par
ties in our state calling themselves
Democrats, to create a political ma
chine, with the view and for the pur-
pose of undermining, disrupting and
destroying the Democratic, party.
at is generally believed that poll
tics is rotten, and am sorry to admit
there are some grounds for such
opinions, particularly as to Republican
administrations, and it is incumbent
upon me and all other citizens who
care for the maintenance and perpet-
uation of good government to expose
and obliterate all fraud and corrupt
practice in our power No man shall
have a government commission, with
the approval-confirmation of the
senate-to plunder our people if it is
in my power to prevent it. Loving my
state as I do, and feeling the pride
of it's reputation that have always
felt, will not stand for the nomina-
ton one minuteD