Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-22
PLEASANT BERTIIS.
The Delay of the President in Making
Staff Appointments.

Army circles are being stirred to their depths
at present by the exciting fact that the Pres-
dent is supposed to be considering the claims
OF the applicants for five desirable staff posi-
tions. In fact he has an unusual amount
OF army patronage at his disposal just
now, for, in addition to these places,
he still has three at-large cadets to
send to West Point, and one from
the District of Columbia, thus making nine ap-
pointments within his power In consequence
of this, and of the delay with which the ap-
plications are being considered, there is rich
harvest OF rumors and specuiations reaped
from day to day.
The staff places to be filled are Judge advo-
cate with the rank of major. an inspector gem
eral and major. two commissaries and captains,
and one quartermaster and captain
The number OF applicants for these places
is astonishing. Their name is legion. one
officer gave general idea of the
number to STAR reporter this
morning by saying. that probably every
first lieutenant III the line OF the army is either
an applicant, or ls now reprOaching himself for
not being one. There are certain line officers
who spend great part of their spare time in
keeping a watch on the roster of the staff.
waiting for vacancy. When one occurs the
applications flood in from all quarters. all arms
OF the service, and even from outside of the
army.
THE DISAPPOINTED.
An officer on duty at the department said to-
day that while there will be just five men made
happy, there will be about five times five Bit
terly disappointed, and five times twenty
slightly SO. There are always five or six Off
GERS who are absolutely sure that they are to
be appointed, while the remainder of the ap-
plican:s have but faint hopes GIany are old
in the business Of applying for staff posi-
tions, who have been putting in their
papers year after year. and have almost lost
hope, bnt keep on applying
But why don't the President hurry up and
make his selection? is asked ON all Sides Every
day there are half-whispHred reports to the
effect that the appointments are to be made
Immediately, but as time passes the conviction
is strong that the vacancies will not be filed
until after Congress meets. In the first place,
it was said this morning by an Of
ficer, who has some knowledge of the
condition of things, the President makes it
ally. process which viii, Of course. take con-
siderable time. Then he is supposed to be now
engaged on his message. a task which he prob
ably prefers to accomplish by ITSELF Then
again, Secretary EndicStt is. busy with his an
nual report, and it win be impossible for the
two to spend very much time in consultation.
SO that 1t would seem as though the President
intends to postpone action in the Gases until he
cap give them the time they need, and he can
make direct nominations to the Senate
The West Point appointments do not need to
be made to the Senate, but are probably being
delayed for the same reason as the others. The
President II having some trouble in finding 9
made two appointments, but both the young
men have failed In the physical examination.
There are many more applications TO draw
from, however.