Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1908 — THE EDITOR’S HOPES DASHED TO EARTH. [ARTICLE]

THE EDITOR’S HOPES DASHED TO EARTH.

A howl in going up over the country because of President's Roosevelt’s placing fourth class postofflees under the civil service law, and thereby giving the present Incumbents practically a lifelease on these offices. This order destroys the hopes of many editors of ’republican organs throughout the country of ever being rewarded for their labors for the g. o. p. It enlarges the federal machine, however, and that is reson enough to politician Roosevelt for his action. Here is a wail from the Foivler Republican that will find an echo in every republican sanctum throughout the land—unless the editor Is fortunate enough to have a grip on a postoffice when the order takes effect: The action of the president in placing fourth class post offices under the civil service law is creating a good deal of discussion In the states effect. It will relieve the Congressman from the unpleasant duty of making a choice between numerous eager applicants, each of whom will think he is the only person entitled to the plum. This Is about the only occupation some Congressmen seemed to have and now that it is gone their office eould be abolished with no great loss to the people. This tendency to put every public office under a law which gives one individual a life time job is just another step toward paternalism and puts the people jUBt that much farther out of touch with governmental affairs. It was the horde of officeholders who nominated Mr. Taft for the presidency. In this instance the move was not resented by the people because Mr. Taft’s superior fitness was well recognised. But Mr. Roosevelt could have dictated the nomination of any other man whom his fancy favored almost as easily. It Is scarcely possible that the people would have supported any other candidate thus nominated, with the possible exception of Gov. Hughes, but it was the ability and achievements of these two men alone which made the work of the “steam roller” a success. The idea Is not right. Under less fortultuous circumstances ‘thousands of decent citizens would have been compelled to sacrifice the principles in which they believe in order to shake off the domination of a single man. Under the ney ruling many incompetents will be continued in the service just as they have in other departments when the civil rule was pisde applicable, and to get rid of them is one of the puzzling questions which confronts the head of every department when he is planning for efficiency. There should be a change of method in handling these affairs, particularly postofflee matters, where the people of each locality come in contact with the officeholders. If the scheme of electing postmasters is not feasible then fix a limit to the time any one person may hold the office and then let it be open to applicants who might be required to take such examination as was thought necessary for the good of the service. These matters should be takeu out of the hands of the congressman and they should be placed in the hands of the people. The present tendency is to remove too far from the source of power, the people themselves, the administrative functions of government.