Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1915 — POLITICAL AXE GETS CHARLEY DAUGHERTY [ARTICLE]

POLITICAL AXE GETS CHARLEY DAUGHERTY

Democrats Use Old Scheme W Evade Plan of Allowing Poetmaster to Complete Term.

Charley Daugherty, postmaster ait Ciown Point, is the son of Louis Daugherty, of Hammond, for many years a resident of this city. He has fallen a victim of democratic politics and has been asked to resign. The Lake County Star, published at Crown Point, has the following to say about the tactics employed to remove him from office: The democratic political axewhetted to a very keen edige—has been wielded, and it has struck Postmaster Chas. J. Daugherty a broadside blow, and his retirement from the postofflee will no doubt follow in a very few days, probably not later than March Ist. This is the climax to the charges that were filed against Daugherty soon after election charging him with “political activity,” which is the initial procedure used in ousting government appointees by the (opposition pary, who wish to pay political debts and make a way to reward those who have been on the firing line in battles gone by. The Star of three weeks ago told of the charges that had been filed, and that an inspector -had been in Crown Point to investigate the matter, and also stated that where there was so much smoke there was sure to *be some fire, and the final chapter to remove Mr. Daugherty from office is .causing no great surprise, as a majority could easily see the handwriting on the wall When the charges were first made public, and that the move meant that he would be succeeded'by a democrat regardless of th efact that he had still two years more to serve. The political axe came to Mr. Daugherty early this week in the shape of a letter from the postofflee department at Washington, asking that his resignation be forwarded to the department at once, and it is believed that a new postmaster will be named Within a few days. The appointment is in tffe hands of Congressman John B. Peterson and the wise ones claim that the appointment is sure to come before he leaves congress, which is only three weeks hence, on March 4th. The dismissing of Daugherty from office before his term expires is establishing a new precedent as heretofore no official has been disturbed until the four years had been served regardless of the party in power,- but the move on the part of the democrats to smash precedent to smithereens is no doubt brought about 'on the old plan that “to the victor belongs the spoils.” If the new .postmaster takes his place next month he will have two years to serve under his political banner in safety, hut in the event that the republicans go back into power on March 4t‘h, 1916, the order of things Will be reversed to follow out the newly established precedent laid down by the democrats in the latest move. At the present time no appointment has beep announced, but it may be looked for any day. Considerable guessing is going on as to the one who Will hold the lucky number among the few democrats who have designs on the position, and a number of prognosticators seem to think that Peter Hein has the “edge” o'n the balance of the candidates. Otto Hildebrandt, Dick Beilfeldt and Herman Lehman have been spoken of, and the appointment may fall to any one of them, although the recent federal appointment given to Herman Lehman which is tor a few months time, is assigned as a reason for his elimination from the race. Both Hildebrandt and Beilefeldt have Mends who have come to the front for them, and the winner is but just guess work at the present. Mr. Daugherty accepts the matter in a very reasonable manner, and will leave the office feeling that during the two years that he was allowed to remain under the democratic administration that he did his full duty and conducted the office to the best of his ability. The plum, of course, belongs to the democrats, and had the matter rested until Mr. Daugherty’s time had expired his successor would have been sure of four years in office, but now the newly made precedent will make it a matter of speculation, and will depend upon the results of the election of 1916.

Milton Ellis will be discharged from jail here tomorrow after having served a term of six months for 'immoral conduct. He was sent here from Monticello after having been sentenced for 6 months and fined SIOO. He will now go to work on a farm to pay the fine He Is a very nice appearing young man and if be takes the proper lesson ‘from his punishment he should be able to yet become a good citizen.