Evening star., 1897-03-17
QUESTION OF PATRONAGE
State Delegations Are Split Up Into Fac
tions Over It.
Claims of Senators and Representa-
tfves-Newly Elected Members
Want a Show.

Since the arrival of the new members of
Congress in Washington serious rows have
broken out in various state delegations over
the distribution of the federal patronage.
In several cases the delegations have been
split into three factions, first contes. be-
tween the senators and the members of the
lower house and then a subfactional light
between the new and the old members of
the lower body. AS heretofore stated in
The Star, President Mckinley has insisted
that in making applications for an appoint
ment the state delegations shall first agree
amorg themselves upon candidates before
presenting their claims to him. He de-
sires to avoid all appearance of deciding
between factions in the state in the mater
of appointment, this course being in the it,
terest of general harmony in the party.
Where the Difficulty Lies.
1t is claimed upon some sides that the
senators insist upon having the lions share
o. the patronage. however, and that this is
what has brought about the trouble how
existing in some of the delegations. 1t is
claimed that the senators want to name
all of the big offices in the state and in the
departmental service accredited to their
state, leaving only the fourth-class post
rlasters and the postmasters of the larger
representatives
the House. In some cases this policy has
been pursued in the past in the distribution
of patronage and without serious friction
but there seems TO be disposition at pres
ent the part of some OF the ueiega tiCas
to overturn this method of procedure.
There Is also, as stated above trouble
between the Old and new members of the
state delegations in the House. 1t is said
that some of the newly elected representa-
tives insist upon having more recognition
in the matter of appointments than has
heretofore been accorded to the new man.
The old members are inclined to take the
ground that prior and longer service entitle
them to a larger proportion of recognition
than the newly elected man might with
propriety claim. The trouble is, however,
that the new fellows made promises in the
campaign, political contracts, 1T might he
said. and are now being called upon to de-
liver the goods. They, therefore are
making strenuous efforts to get as much
as they can out of the deals for their own
interests and in behalf of their cons.itu-
entS.
The President refuses to consider appli-
cations until the delegations can get to-
gether and decide upon a harmonious plan
of action. 1t is said that this is one ex-
planation of the somewhat unusual delay
In making appointments.
Some State Delegations.
The Michigan delegation is one that is
having a great deal Of trouble at this time.
."
senators are maintaining the position that
they should have the controlling voice in
the larger federal appointments in the
state. yielding to the representatives, as
in the past, control Of the postmastership.
There Is also some trouble between the old
and new me mbers of the delegation in the
House and two caucuses nave already been
held In an attempt to reconcile the diff
ferences.
The Illinois delegation are also In a peck
OF trouble. The embarrassment grows out
of the conflict between the senators and
the representatives in the matter Of sew
eraI federal appointments Of prominence
in Illinois. and 1t is said that there is con-
siderable friction.
The southern republicans. 1t is said. are
very widely divided. The President has
felt himself called upon, 1t is claimed. to
utter some pretty strong language abou.
the southern appointments and to insist
that the factions reconcile their differences
before bothering him with any more appii-
cations.
Some OF the western state delegations
are struggling along in an endeavor to get
together, but there are many matters still
undecided.