The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-10
AFTER THE SPOILS.
Candidates for State Appoint.
mentS at Work.
Faithful Workers Who Will Be Rewarded
With Municipal Positions-The Usual
Crop Of Aspiring Patriots.

Applicants for State positions are growing
numerous already, and the newly elected
Governor, were he the sort of man to allow
such trifles TO worry him, would find him
self harassed from all sides by those
anxious 10 serve the State in an easy posi-
ton at a good round salary. Those VINO
know Governor-elect Markham best, how
ever, are inclined to the belief that the
greater part of the worrying viii be done
bv the applicants, and the indications are
that some of them are already sweating
blood in their anxiety over the well-dis-
puised intentions OF tile son of Pasadena.
MARKHAM's PHILOSOPHY.
In this connection a story is going the
rounds which illustrates the latter's peculiar
way of looking at things, and evidences the
fact that he is likely to be a hard man to
graphic with. 1t is related that Congress
man Vandever of the Sixth District soon
after the Inauguration of President Harri-
S on, appealed TO Markham for advice, and
in the course Of the conversation said:
Colonel, | am in an ugly predlcament.
Since the return of the Republicans topower
| am literally overrun with applicants Tor
places. 1t seems to me that every man in
my district wants something, and so per-
sistent have they been that | am driven al
most t. insanity. [ want you to help me out
with your counsel"
The ColonePs eyes twinkled as he re-
garded the Congressman's look of despair,
and laying his hand kindly on the others
shoulder, he replied "Nandever, you are
an older politician than l, but think l can
help you out. Hereafter, when a man comes
to you soliciting your good offices to assist
him 10 a Federal position. remember that
you are the physician and that he is the pa
tent. Now you may, if YOU choose. make
WY face in sympathy with him. but just re-
member that it is his stomach and not
yours that aches"
ALL IN TIE DARK.
In the matter OF State appointments there
is probably Tut one man in the State that
knows aught Of Colonel Markham's inten-
tons, and it is reasonably safe to say that
there is not in the State a man who has even
an indirect assurance Of being cared for.
This fact alone, it is asserted, operated to
cause the slight falling # in tie majority in
Los Angeles County, for each of the dele
gutes from that section. with very few eX-
ceptions, felt that the outcome OF the Sacra-
mentO Convention depended very largely
on his individual eXertionS, and when they
II minated a man who would make no
promises there was an immediate lull in the
enthusiasm.
PRIVATE SECRETARY.
AS is natural, the position that is causing
the greatest amount OF speculation Is that OF
Private Secretary, and two names have been
thoroughly canvassed in that connection.
Both are Los Angeles men, and both are
lust now on the uneasy seat. One Is Leroy
L. NOSher, best known, perhaps, as the
author OF the Markham Rose" and at
present employed writer on the Les
Angeles Times. He was formerly in the
employ Of the Southern Pacific as agent at
Los Angeles, and Is a member OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic.
His chief competitor, according to the
g0SsipS, is Marion R. Higgins, who handled
the finances OF the State Central Committee
during the campaign, and who is regarded
Il shrewG politician Tor his years.
Those who know Colonel Markham best
say that neither of the above gentlemen will
be appointed, and that when the name is
announced 1t will be surprise even to the
knowing ones. They assert that the Cover
nOr-elect would prefer one who is not poll
t.clan, but what he wants is young, active
man who Will do as he is told, and te con-
ttnt TO attend to the routine duties of the
Office without meddling in politics or State
affairs.
No names have been suggested for Execu-
about 1t among the politicians.
STATE PRINTER.
A good fat plum is the State Partnership,
and aspirants for the position are fairly
numerous. Among them are A. j. Johns
ton of Sacramento, }. w. Dunn of Oroville
j. L. ThUrp OF the Newcastle News, II. g.
OILS and II. L. Osborne OF Los Angeles,
and Captain J. ID. Young. the incum-
bent a strong pressure will be brought
to bear to secure the latter's retention, y bile
each OF the other aSpirants are already busy
a. work. A. j. Johnston Is looked upon as
formidable candidate. and would have been
member Of the State Central Committee
from Sacramento but Tor the fact that he
as in the fight for the Office in question.
THE HARBoR COMMISSION.
Conside: able interest is also being taken
in the HarbOr ComIniSslonersbip, as there
will be vacancy in the spring caused by
the expiration of the term of William ID.
English. IL this connection H. V. More
house Of Santa Clara. and S. K. Thornton
art 10th mentioned, and it is quite probable
that one OF the otLer will carry of the prize.
Which IL will be, no one knows.
George A. knight will probably have the
call on the office of Insurance Commissioner,
as IL is known that this is the place he de-
slres above all others.
J. c. Campbell of San joaquin, when the
time comes, may slip in as Attorney for the
Harbor Commissioners, and if the reports
of the active hostility of Frederick S. Stratton
to Colonel Markham prove true, it is more
than likely that Mr.. Campbell, who made
splendid fight for the ticket, will find his re-
ward.
TO SUCCEED SMILEY.
Already the question is being asked who
wilsucceed Thomas J. l.. Smiley as Registrar
OF Voters. There are several who would
Ike TO, and among those most prominently
named are Major Tharp. who at one time
held the position, Jake Stepacher and Fred
VII hos odh r bpt -
is quite possible that each may be disap-
pointed. To complicate matters it is more
than possible that Mr.. Smiley may take it
into his head to endeavor to succeed him.
self, and in that event might be fortunate in
placing bis claims before the incoming Gov
eTnor in such way as to carry off the prize.
This is what is said, at least, but at present
Is largely matter OF mere speculation.
Then, too, there will be vacancy of
course, in the office of Adjutant-General,
upon which Hugh Burne, well-known
newspaper man, is said to have his eye
fixed, and it is stated that certain influences
are at work for him that may assist him TO
something else in the event Of his failing to
reach the place sought for.
BUNKER IN THE FIELD.
The Office of Labor Commissioner may go
TO Z. ID. Bunker, who occupied it under a
former administration and who is the bust
ness partner of c. T. Bassett, who was one of
the original Markham men, and who is now
Secretary OF the State Central Committee.
the latter's influence ought to be sufficiently
strong to secure his recognition, if he de-
sires it, and rumor as it that he does.
OF the Board of Health, Pilot Commits
sion and Prison Directors nothing has yet
been said other than that the former may
be composed of gentlemen who Will favor
the retention of Drs. Keeney and Lawler.
both Of whom have been able officials, and
both Of whom did excellent work. during
the campaign Oliver Eldridge, however,
Is looked upon as a future member of the
Pilot Commission
NEW COMBINATION.
Another position, not under the Cover
nor. but one that is regarded as snug
little booth, is.the Secretaryship of the Rail-
road Commission, now held by James V.
Kelly of Santa Clara, who is the bosom
friend and coBfdante of James w. Rea.
As the matter now stands, it is said, Ed
Conroy has the backing of the two newly
elected members-Litchfeld and Beckman-
and is in position to make it warm for Mr..
Kelly. Mr.. Conroy denies, however, that
he has any political aspirations, and states
that ha will mn ,fa nd in Mr. KaiIv'c