The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1931-07-23
THE "OLD ARMY GAME" is A GOOD
GAME IF YOU HAVE CHIPS

Washington-The selection of postmasters for
political merit rather than for their civil
service rating, by Senator Fess and Postmaster
General Brown in their home state of Ohio, is
subject of editorial comment by the New York
Times.
After citing President Wilson's executive order
requiring the civil service commission to certify
the top man on the list in competitive exami-
nations for first, second and third class post
master, which was changed by President Harding
to include the three highest eligible candidates,
by which "Mr. Harding reinforced the system of
appointment for political merit" the New York
Times says:
1.-TWO fine illustrations came from Mr. Hard
ing's state last week. Two frst-class postmast-
ers were to be named. The postmaster of Ports
mouth for more than eight years stood first
the eligible list. In 1928 he had been indscreet
enough to support the presidential aspirations
of the late Senator Willis. Senator Fess and
Postmaster General Brown agreed to select the
third man the list For the Newark office,
vacant by death, the lucky third also ap-
proved by the two high contracting parties.
Democrats represent both districts in the
house Mr. Fess's action is according to Hoyle.
At this time the Tightening Of the federal ma
chine is to be expected Will there ever come
time when such violations of the spirit and in
tent of the merit system, such cynical of
competitive examinations to produce political
pawns. will cease?"-Fergus Falls Tribune.
The Herald editor gets quite kick out
of our political puritniacal editors outburst.
Harry was postmaster under the admins
tration of the late lamented and largely Wis
ionary President Wilson, marvellous letter
writer but God-awful short on doing things.
But he is dead.
Further comment is unnecessary.
Regardless of all the walls of the purists,
those who are in and those who hope they
may get in the old slogan to the victor be-
longs the spoils applies. The above program
was sponsored by the late lamented and much
discussed Mat Quay, of Pennsylvania, long
years ago.
Regardless of whether there is Repub-
ican or Democratic President the good ''old
army game" is played, and postmasters and
other officials are named to meet the desires
of Mr.. Congressman of the district.
The Herald has in mind an examination
for postmaster in this district.
The natural presumption, was, of course,
that the Postmaster would be one of the first
three in the standings prescribed. The tough
luck was that he was down on the list. The
Congressman desired to reappoint him.
Under the circumstances the only thing for
the congressman to do was to call for an
other examination. Evidently the civil SER
vice commissioners had erred on the first ex-
animation. When the second examination
had been taken the Democratic postmaster
was high man and he was named for post
master. He has since died.
With this experience in mind the Herald
editor has been led to the conclusion that the
civil examination for postmaster is all "hog
wash" The conclusion of the Herald editor
is that whether the Democrats or Republicans
are in power, the much Wanted and largely
publicised Civil Service is all BUNK"
In the last analysis the slogan "to the
victor belongs the spoils" was predicated on
the fact that the word of the congressman or
the United States Senator was no better than
that of the average citizen.