The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-12-02

C-iAiS LAsis1 S'AsANNJL,
who are applicants fer positions and
others who believe that they sec in this
tendency TO apply the rule all along the
line the danger OF building up an Office
holding aristocracy. The merit system.
bad ones. but perhaps the former over
balance the latter.
There are Indications that more sweep.
lng reforms In this direction viii be
made before President Clevelands term
expires. and that civil service rules will
be applied 10 the 6o,o00 fourth class post
offices In the country a very strong
pressure Is now being brought to bear On
the President TO act In the matter. but
he has not yet slgnifed his intention OF
complying with the demand. 1t In said
that many members of Congress would
hail such an order with some degree OF
satisfaction, as 1t would relieve them OF
an embarrassing responsibility which is
often fraught with danger to their poll
teal fortunes. Everybody realizes that
the matter of postoilice appointments Is
n serious problem TO every congressman
ut the beginning uf each new admlniS-
many of them desire TO be relieved OF the
embarrassment of having to choose be-
tween from n half dozen 20 a dozen ap-
plicant3 for each postofiice In his district.
all of whom are his good friends aud
siapnch supporters. and to all OF whom
he may be under personal obligation.
Custom has imposed upon the congress
slonal representative the duty OF recon-
mending for appointment the successful
postmasters, and IL Is a. burden that
many congressmn would be glad to
have removed from his shoulders. The
scheme Is pronounced. however. by high
postal officials at Washington, TO be i'm
practicable for several reasons. They
argue, for instance, that 1t would not
improve the service and would not meet
with popular approval. The only advan-
taSe, they say, would be to the congress-
man. who would be relieved from the
embarrassment mentioned, and re-
sponsibilty which deprives him from
giving his whole attention TO his lcgisla-
tive duties, which Is Of greater import
anca to the masses OF his constituents.
l once heard 4 member OF Congress say,
soon after the Inauguration OF new adj
fnlnistration, that nearly one-half OF his
time was taken up in hunting offices for
aspiring constituents. and this. too. dur
ing an important session OF the house.
In which he held places on important
committees demanding his close attend
ance TO duty. have seen enough OF this
sort OF thing to convince me that the life
OF member Of Congress is not the most
enviable OF all lives.
The long vacation the Republican
party has had from the complete con-
troll OF IVES, Virginia is doubtless the
reason that Governor-elect Atkinson Us
lust now the victim OF the importunit-
les OF about a hundred men for every
appointment he will have 10 make. The
popular idea that he will have personal
control of every appointment 10 be
made under his administration. from
secretary OF state down 70 janitor of the
humblest state institution. has caused
an overwhelming food OF correspond
ence and personal applications for
position Mr.. Atkinsol'S recent expla-
nation that he has but nine salaried
positions at his disposal, and that all
other places will be filed by the var
ious boards that he will appoint, has
served to check the food somewhat, but
applications are still coming in. Mr..
Atkinson made one Of the hardest cam
paigns ever made by a candidate in
this state and came out OF It in perfect
physical condition, and yet. within the
month that has elapsed since the cleo
ton, he has become almost completely
Frustrated by the work that has deYoi-
we'd upon him in answering his cores
poadence and in receiving applicants
for position. While this is hard on the
govecnor-elect It is not discreditible to
the ambitious Republicans OF the state.
Il is not 10 their dtscredit that they
want employment under the state gov
eminent; Il Is worthy ambition, and
any citizen has as good a right as any
other citizen TO desire Office, but It is re-
gretable tlsac all do not understand that
the governor is not the sole appointing
power.
l have Il from Governor Atkinson
himself that he has rot yet decided up
on single one OF the nine important
appointments he is, to make. He made
no ante-election promises. and IS en-
tirely free to make the selections after
due elaboration and carefully weigh
ing the merits and claims of all appli-
cants. Without exception. almost, he
says. the men who have been presented
for the various positions are good and
deserving citizens from every stand
point This makes II hard TO make the
selections and he IS taking his time. He
has set out with the intention of giving
the people a safe, business-like admin
istration OF state affairs and will not
act hastily II Is his desire TO make
choice of such staff as will insure an
administration that will be endorsed by
the public, and strengthen the Republic
can party IN West Virginia. Those who
know him best will not doubt this state
ment.
Some Of the Democratic editors in the
state are trying TO create trouble in the
Republican ranks by circulating false
reports. but they will miserably fall.
There are no factions in the Republican
party of .Wes; Virginia and there are
not likely 10 be any. There are no rings
nor syndicates. malicious !ntimations TO
the contrary notwithstanding. West
Virginia Republicans will profit by the
fate OF the state Democracy. which was
the result OF that sort of thing. They
are quite capable OF attending to their
own affairs without the assistance OF
the enemy and regardless OF falsehoods
told for purpose.
There continues TO be much gossip in
Guiding the name OF Judge Goff In the
list Of cabinet possibilities, and that he
may be chosen by Major Mckinley 90
be his attorney general is not improb-
able. Speculations are based on the
belief that If the President-elect has
determined to recognize in this way one
OF the so-called southern states that
have cut loose from the once, but no
longer solid south. West Virginia would
be his natural selection. West Virginia
made the first break in 1885, even II the
Republicans were deprived of the fruits
az rhnir NintnrY and IL to-day rcca rdnd