The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-13
PASSING OF THE PRESIDENT.
APPOINTMENTS TO OFFICE NOW
HARD TO OBTAIN.

The President Explains That He
Does Not Wish TO Embarrass the
Incoming AdministratiOn--The
senate Holding Up Conformation
of ESQ Presidential POstmasters.
Men in Public Life Watching the
SenatOrship Fight in North CarOli-
ma With Great Interest-Ex-Repre
sentative Wilson of Iowa For the
Cabinet.
Washington, Jan. 12.-Democratic con-
gressmen are made to realize every day
that the tenure of the present administra-
ton is rapidly diminishing. They find
their requests for political favors closely
questioned and frequently denied, on the
ground that the present administration
does not care to embarrass the incoming
administration.
To-day South Carolina mmber called
at the postofice department to submit
number of requests for postal changes in
his district. The requests embraced sew
eral appointments of fourth-c.ass post
masters, and the establishment of a num-
Der of new postal routes. The member
had taken the'trouble to prepare his cases
with great care and DETAIL showing the
location and distances by means of a spec
ially drawn map. He was informed that
the postmaster general has given direc-
tions that no new routes shall be establish
ed, nor shall any new postmasters be ap-
pointed during sthe remainder of this ad-
ministraton, except in cases of necessity,
| that the President does not wish to fill
all the offices with democrats on the eve
of a republican administration.
Other congressman, in their daily visits
| to the departments, are met with similar
! declarations from those in authority and
there seems to be a general understand
ing that no new appointments shall be
made except in extreme cases.
The republican place hunters are repoic-
ing that there are still a few crumbs of
comfort left, and they are further rejoicing
because the Senate is now holding up about
250 presidential postmasters awaiting con-
! firmation.
Members of the senatorial steering COM
mittee are watching with grow
ing interest the struggle going on
in North Carolina over the cleo
ton of Senator Pritchard's sue
cessor. The North Carolina contest
/
full influences of Mark Hanna was in
voked, during his recent visit to Wash
ington. 1t is said that Senator Pritchard
is steadily gaining ground, In spite of
the heroic efforts put forth by his popu-
list adversary Senator Butler, and the
/ latest informa ton received from the bat
tlefeld to-day indicates that Pritchard
may win.
The most interesting development in
! this connection, was letter received to-
day by Representative Linney of North
Carolina. The letter was written by
democratic member of the legislature
who is not taking sides with either SEN
ator Pritchard or Senator Butler in the
| pending contest. AS a democrat, the
| writer of the letter does not hesitate to
declare that he is opposed to the cleo
! ton of a populist to succeed Senator
Pritchard. He then goes on to state that
/ he realizes that there is no opportunity
under the existing conditions, to elect
| democratic United States senator. and
! therefore he believes 1t would be wise to
! give the republicans the entire RESPONSE
/ bility in the Senate and House of Rep
| resentatives during the next administra-
! ton. He states that the business of the
! country demand that prompt measures
/ should be framed in the interest of the
whole country, and under the circum-
! stances he is willing to allow the repub-
/ licans to re-elect Senator Pritchard or
any other republican they want,
| x-Representative Wilson of Iowa is re-
! garded by the members of the Iowa dele
| cation as a fixture in President Mckin-
! ley's cabinet Senator Allison took occa>
sion, during his recent talk with Mr.. Nc
! Knley, to present the name of Mr.. Will
son for the Secretaryship of Agriculture.
While Mr.. Mckinley greatly desired The
presence of Senator Allison in the cabinet.
! and deeply regretted his positive declina-
ton to accept either the state or the
treasury postfolio, the President-elect IL,
nevertheless, disposed to crafty the SEN
ator from Iowa by appointing MIR. Will
son. When Senator Allison was spoken
to on the subject to-day he admitted that
he spoke to Mr.. Mckinley in behalf of
Mr.. Wilson, and added that a better or
more appropriate appointment could not
be made. In enumerating the qualitica-
tions of Mr.. Wilson, the senator referred
to the fact that MIR. Wilson served six
years in congress, during a portion of
which period he was chairman of
the committee on agriculture, and also a
member Of the committee on rules. He Is
a practical and successful farmer, and
in every way fitted to administer the af-
fairs of the department of agriculture ac-
ceptably to all concerned. The senator
was not prepared to say that Mr.. McKin-
ley promised to appoint Mr. Wilson, but
1t is believed from what has occurred since
the conversation on the subject took place
! longer on the debateable list.