The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-16

lie
The heaviest blow which this admins
tration has yet dealt bossism and ring rule
il the announcement made today by Post
master General Bissell to several congress-
men that postmasters are not to be ap-
pointed solely on the Endorsement of con-
gressmen. On the contrary, the congress.
mans Endorsement, which has hitherto
proved necessary and all-powerful in the
appointment of postmasters, will hence
forth count for nothing unless it is demon
strated that the candidate 10 acceptable to
the people of his town. This announce
ment has created profound sensation
among the congressman who are remain
ing in town to fix up their appointments
before returning homo and they are in
great dismay. The new policy il the idea
OF President Cleveland and 10 in line with
his expressed intention to break MP boss
ism. The congressman are indignant over
this staggering blow to what they call
their rights of patronage. but they have
been warned that the administration is
firm in its stand. The significance of this
move against bossism is great when it is
realized that the postoffice patronage has
always been held to be the sacred prerog-
ative of members of tho lower house, free
from interference by senators. and the
prerogative is usually exercised in favor Of
local rings.
The nominations that were anticipated
from President Cleveland today did not
materialize. On account of this fact there
were several disappointed people in this
city today. and this was possibly the case
in other sections of the country. It was
expected that the president would send to
the senate not only his candidates for as
sistant secretaries in the treasury depart
ment, but also . first assistant secretary
for the interior department and the candi-
dates for commissioner of pensions and
commissioner of the general land Office,
commissioner of Indian affairs and at
least an assistant to the postmaster gen.
eral. The selection Of Hugh Wallace. of
Tacoma, for one Of the assistants in the
postoffice department was rather expected,
but failed to appear. The appointment of
Judge Bartlett Trip, OF South Dakota. as
general land commissioner, seems to have
been delayed by the president. though it is
still expected that he will be named. Sen.
ator Roach. of North Dakota, today urged
the president toconsider the appointment
Of John d. Benton, Of Fargo, before max
ing any selection. It is understood tonight
that the president has decided to change
his previous decision in several appoint.
ments.
It IS asserted today that John H. Ober.
ley, OF Illinois, who was commissioner of
Indian affairs and civil service commits
sioner under the last Cleveland admins
tration. stands an excellent chance for ap-
pointment as commissioner of Indian sf.
fairs again. Mr.. Oberley 10 ct present
engaged in the printing business here.
Ex- Congressman Peel, of Arkansas, who
was chairman of the committee on In
dian affairs in the last house, and who is
. candida te for Indian commissioner, il
slated for place on the commission to ex-
anime and appraise all surplus lands of
the Indians under the recent act of con.
gress.
The application of r. H. Chattle. of
Spokane Wash. was today filed at the
treasury department, who declares that
he desires to become collector of customs
for Alaska. A. +. Shadle, of Lopez.
WASH. has had his application filed for
collector of customs at some point on
Puget sound.
Secretary Carlisle today made his Il rst
announcement Of the policy to govern his
action in the matter of appointments in
the lighthouse and life-saving service, the
announcement being made in connection
with two applications for positions in the
lighthouse service. The secretary writes:
1t has been the uniform custom for many
years to regard the Lighthouse establishment a.
q non-partissu service. 1t is my intention to
continue the custom. and no lightkseper will b
disturbed by me In my official position merely
because Of his political opmona
Marshall Ramsdell, of the District of Co.
lumbia, who only recently returned from
trip to Indiana. whittier he accom-.
panied ex-President Harrison, called
upon Cleveland today for the purpose of
rendering his resignation. The president
asked many questions about HARRISON 3
homeward trip, and spoke in the highest
terms of the many courtesies which had
been extended toward himself by his pre-
tocosSny