The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-29
A NEW RULEIN APPOINTMENTS.
NiINTS AND ASSAY OFFICES TO BE
TAKEN OUT OF POLITICS.

lection of the Men in Charge Here
nfter-They VIII BE Selected by the
President ON the Advice of the
Chief officials of the Treasury.
Ability to Fiji the Positions to he
the Test in the Future.
Washington. April 2s.-The reported Sc
lection of Herman Kretz, the present ap-
pointment clerk of the treasury depart
ment. as superintendent of the United
States mint at Philadelphia, vice Mr.
Townsend, removed or resigned, and Of
W. r. Morgan, now examiner in the mint
bureau here, as coiner of the Philadelphia
mint, vice Mr.. Steel, transferred, are
stated to be the entering wedges Of an en-
tirely new departure in the matter of the
administration OF the United States mints
and assay offices Both gentlemen are
democrats and citizens of Pennsylvania,
Mr.. Kretz being from Reading and Mr..
Morgan from Philadelphia, but neither
was urged for appointment by either of
the contending factions of local pollti-
clans. The purpose is to take the mint
service out of state politics, not only in
Pennsylvania, but in other states where
United States mints and assay offices are
located Bhis new policy has not been
adopted without careful consideration.
For four or five months back the Presi-
dent has been giving the subject much
thought. He finally arrived at the con-
viction that officers to whom the coinage
and control of the United States money
in the national mints were confided should
be selected by the President on the ad-
vice of the chief officials of the treasury,
and that those appointments should not be
made factors in the distribution of the
patronage of the state or city in which
the mint happened to be located.
Under the rule that formerly obtained
and which has been technically adhered
to by local politicians OF both parties, the
superintendent of the mint has been large
" controlled IN the selection Of his office
force by the views of the senator or other
state politicians to whose recommendation
he owed his appointment. This pressure, 1t
is said, will now be lessened, II not en-
tirely obliterated, by the new policy of Sc
lecting mint superintendents from a ma
tional and not local point of view. Men
who possess some natural or acquired
qualifications for such places, VIII be pre-
ferred to those who only command local
political influence. IL will not even be eS-
sential that they should hail from the city
preference win be given to residents, all
other things be equal.
There are United States mints at New
Orleans, San Francisco and Denver, Col,
and United States assay offices at New
York, Carson City, New, Charlotte, N. c.,
and other points. This same policy, It is
said, will be extended to each of these
alike, should occasion arise, although all
the principal offices in both the mints and
the assay ofhees are now held by ap-
pointees of the present administration.
The principal advantage expected TO be
derived from this new departure is that
the mint service throughout the country
will be less dominated by local Influence
and brought closer under the supervision
and direction of the director of the mint
In the treasury at Washington. Each
mint is now more or less Independent of
the others and of the Washington au-
thorities, but under the new plan all will
be directly under the control Of Washing
ton.
The Philadelphia mint is the largest and
most important. Maj. Kretze, who will
probably be placed at its head, is a strict
disciplnarian and knows the wishes ana
purposes of Secretary Carlisle, the Presi-
dent and Director Preston. The selec-
ton of w. E. Morgan for coiner is under
stood to be for the purpose of emphasize
ing this new departure He has been con-
nected with the mint bureau for many
years, and has practical knowledge of
mint workings.
AS far back as last December the Pres
ident became dissatisfied with the conduct
of the Philadelphia mint and decided that
a ChanEe was necessary Tor the good OF
the service. United Press dispatches an
nounced the fact then. Several times since
the matter was on the point of being
brought to a head. Circumstances Of a
political character at one time and Of a
personal nature at another intervencd
to cause delay. on April 15 the President
and Secretary Carlisle held a confer
ence at the white house, when the whole
subject of taking the mint service out of
state politics was discussed and the pres
ent policy inaugurated.
Shortages, defalcations and absolute
thefts at Carson City, New Orleans Phil
adelphia and other points nave largely
aided in bringing the President and Sec
retary Carlisle to the conclusion which
they have now adopted.