The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-28
SPOILS AND POSTOFFICE

Senator Pat Harrison sought few days
ago to force the hand of the president In
the matter of the waving of the civil SER
vice rules in the appointment of postmas-
tiers by executive order. Nine months ago
a resolution was passed calling for infor-
nation on this subject, and the senator said
he thought that was time-allowance enough.
He proposed that the appropriation of $685.
900 usually made for the presidents travel
ling and entertainment expenses be held uE
until the president made answer.
81 The Republicans rushed to the presidents
defense, and finally moved to lay the pro-
posal on the table, whereupon the senator
withdrew it.
:. The presidents conduct, however, was
brought to attention, which was the sem
ator's purpose. It was shown in the de-
bate that it is now the practice to avoid
the civil service law by appointing Repub-
lcan if any such shows in the list of the
sthree who have made the best record in the
competitive examination; but, says Harri-
son, how about the examination? Is 1t
square deal for the Democratic candidates?
.,The senator intimated that he thought the
examination pretense.
~ Senator Norris, Republican, from the state
of Nebraska, joined in saying that he be-
lieved it a pretense, "and in my judgment
It condemns us. We should throw off the
mantle, and let it be known that we are
..parceling out the offices to spolsmen and
politicians" The senator said he had made
inquiries and found that appointments were
Invariably made upon political reccommen-
= T..
tinually violated. 81 have talked just today
with a member Of the house of representa-
-tives.v continued the senator, zone who has
made dozens if not hundreds of recommen-
adations for rural carrier appointments in
one of our states. I asked him if he had
ever made recommendation that was not
followed by the postoffice department, and
he said never one.' So the assistant post
master generals excuse was not very good
when he said, Oh, yes, we get applications
lard recommendations from congressman,
but after all we appoint the man we think
sought to have it. He evidently always
thinks that way"
&c The defense of the president by Senator
Sterling of South Dakota was confession
of the act and an assertion that it was per-
sfectly regular. The president has the right
TO waive the civil service rules by executive
order, and all the information about the
matter can be found in the reports of the
civil service commission. In other words,
system of rules framed for the purpose of
making a business of the postoffice is laid
aside at the will of the president and the
postoffice becomes the spoil of politicians
Also, according to Senator Sterling, chair
man Of the civil service committee of the
senate this is right, and as it should be!
Another argument offered by the defend
ers of the spoils system was that the same
sort of thing happened under the Wilson ad-
1ninistration. This, of course, is one of those
rare instances when the Republicans have
sought support by referring to the Demo-
cratic president; but it is not good argu-
ment even if it should be accepted as fine
example of you're another" 1t is not well
to disregard the laws of the country even
if one is Democrat, and accordingly it
cannot be well for Republican to disre-
gard the laws because Democrat has done
so. The issue is, in fact, whether the civil
service law shall be acknowledged a sham or
not. Of course, it has been regarded always
by the spoilsmen as something to be avoided
and defeated wherever possible; but here we
have senator of the Republican party, the
chairman, of the committee having civil SER
vice laws in its charge, openly declaring that
it is right to disregard it.
E The essential thing is the effect upon
administration. The civil service law was
passed with the expectation that great de-
'nartment would be conducted as business
should be conducted, solely for the benefit
of its customers, the public, who support it.
Both political parties have pledged them
selves to it's enforcement. Senator Norris,
a Republican, but one who has an opinion
of his own, and the courage to declare it.,
SAYS that he believes the disregard Of 1t Is
not even good for the party that seeks to
profit by partition of the offices. "The
handing out of political plums is a detr1-
ment and not an asset to any political
party" he declared in discussing this ques-
ton.