Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1915 — How “Boss” Murphy’s and J. B.’s Broadaxe Policy Is Viewed. [ARTICLE]

How “Boss” Murphy’s and J. B.’s Broadaxe Policy Is Viewed.

In speaking of the ousting of republican Postmaster Daugherty at Crown Point before his term of office expires—contrary to all former precedent, either republican or democratic—but which has been the policy of our "Boss” Murpiiy, democratic district chairman, and bls man Friday, Congressman Peterson, to the great injury of the democratic party, the Crown Point Star says: The Star made reference to a matter which effected the postofflce in the last issue—in fact to certain charges that had been filed with the postofflce department at Washington, against Jostmaster Chas. Daugherty, charging him with political activity, and conferring with political bosses in the postoffice, which is usually the forerunner method of letting out postmasters by the opposing political party before the time of office expires. Mr. Dadgherty, it is needless to say, was considerably Surprised to hear that charges were filed, and denies them in every particular, and only recalls at one time during the campaign of “talking to political bosses,” and that was on the occasion of the day that Congressman Wood spoke in Crown Point, and that Wood metely called upon him to renew old friendship, and feels that the charges are unwarranted.

Nearly all pf the leading democrats In Crown Point have been mentioned for the office during the past few days in, connection with the move, but no one seems to be on the inside of the matter, and nearly every one of them believe that it would be a bad precedent to establish, spasmuch as heretofore every postmaster has served his time out regardless of which administration was in power. Mr. Daugherty only has a year to serve from the first of March, and should he be retired from office now, and the republicans would be successful in 1916, it would mean that the democrat would only serve the two years. On the other hand, if the appointment is held off until Mr. Daugherty’s time expires the democrat can reasonably be sure of his four years, as has always been' the custom. Mr. Daugherty,Jhas conducted the affairs of the office in a very satisfactory manner to the public, and should developments later on remove

him from office, he can feel that everything is fair in jwer-jwjri politics. The precedent would\be‘a bad one to establish, as in future years it would be, no doubt, a case of “what’s ‘sass' for the goose is 'sass’ for the gander.”. At Fowler, where the same thing has been done with Postmaster ■Hampton, the Benton Tieview, the democratic organ of that county, has this to say: _■ • Chas. Hampton has resigned his position as postmaster to take effect tomorrow. Charges were filed against him by Congressman Peterson that he was not attending to his duties and the postmaster general demanded his resignation, and being an a<commodating old gentleman, he gave it to them immediately. Mr. .Hampton has not been in the best of health and lately was confined to his home for four or five days, and for some time has been going to Lafayette to take treatment from a specialist there, being out of the office for half a day each week. Outside of this he claims he has been on the job, and is now feeling better and able to plit in full time required. There has been no postoffice inspector here for some time, and the last one complimented Mr. Hampton very highly for the fine shape the office was in, so that the complaint must have been based on charges by local peftple. Mr. Hampton has run the office to the entire satisfaction of the community. There has been little friction, and every one will regret that he was compelled to relinquish the place under a cloud. .