ABSTRACT
The very lowest political services have been rewarded with the best positions. Political candidates have had to promise before their election to make certain appointments to office which had nothing at all to do with the fitness of the appointee. The appointments by party are really appointments on the basis of recommendations and wishes of political leaders. It is equally true that the political parties have become expert in sifting human material and finding just the right people for the places. The Senators from a certain state advise the President as to who should be appointed for postmasters in the most important post-offices; and the smaller positions are similarly filled on the recommendation of less influential politicians. The rural letter-carrier was unknown, as he is still unknown in small towns; every man in the village goes to the post-office to get his newspapers and letters.
