The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-03

Special Dispatch to the Pos. Intelligencer.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-That Senator
Foster will dictate Federal appointments
In the state of Washington no one for
moment need doubt. Any suggestion that
the administration will continue to look
to ex-senator Wilson for advice In the
matter Of appointments, or submit for his
consideration any nomination offered or
suggested by the Junior Republican sena-
tor Of the state, may be safely laughed at
and derided. Custom, which amounts to
unwritten law. is not violated In this re-
gard
Even the Republican representatives Of
the state Of Washington will have very
small say In the matter OF Federal ap-
pointments outside OF the fourth-class post
masters. These, by q sort OF long-recog-
nized right. are given to the members OF
the lower house. In states like oregon and
Washington II has been the custom, where
all, or nearly all. Of the members Of the
delegation are OF the same political party.
to confer together frequently regarding
appointments and the senators have not
been averse to taking the advice Of or IA
voring the friends Of the members, when
1t has been In their power to do SO.
Members, on the other hand, take fire.
quent occasion to seek advice Of the sem
ators In the matter Of the minor postof-
fees But should, at any time. there be
a disagreement in the matter Of larger
Federal appointment, the administration
looks always to the senator or senators.
The Case OF ME-. Knox.
So much for preliminary to the case Of
Jim" Knox. chosen by Senator Foster to
be shipping commissioner for Puget sound
at Tacoma. This appears to be one Of
those occasional exceptions which prove
the general rule. Senator Foster PERSONAL
ly indorsed Knox at the treasury depart
ment, and 1t was regarded that he must
have known the man we'll on account Of
Senator Foster never said anything to
any one about his purpose OF naming Knox
for this position. It is more than likely
the appointment would have been made
by the department on the strength Of the
senator's Endorsement. But before the de-
partment was ready to make the nomi-
nation the matter was known In the state.
and storm Of protests Immediately fol-
lowed.
ing responsible for the raising OF some no Of
ity existing In the breast of Knox against
him. But he was by no means responsible
for all Of 1t. So many statements regarding
Of conversation. came to the department,
that 1t caused the secretary to hesitate re-
garding the nomination and to confer again
Congressman Cushman and Jones were
both importuned for their Endorsements for
other people. They acted together in the
matter and decided that this Office did not
properly belong to Tacoma man.
VIII He Referred to Foster.
Prior to the appointment Of the present
Incumbent by former Senator Wilson, the
ONCE was considered to belong to- resi-
dent OF Jefferson county, and both Jones
and Cushman came to the conclusion that
1t should be returned to that county, and
therefore they Endorsed Charles Wood, sec
rotary Of the county committee Of Jeffer-
son. They have been practically informed,
since their arrival here that this time as
well as any others which may be presents
ed will be referred to Senator Foster for his
consideration. and the hope 10 expressed
that an amicable agreement may be reach
ed by the delesation so as to relieve the
department of any embarrassment when
the appointment is finally made.
Mr.. Knox's name has never been really
withdrawn from the appointment division
Of the treasury department Senator Fos-
ter, after the hullabaloo raised against
Knox. sent to the department q recommend
alton for Edwin C. Miller. Of Fox island,
Pierce county, a member Of the state leg
islature. in connection with the appoipt-
ment. Very soon afterward soma surprise
was expressed at the department because
the senator asked that the whole matter
Of tie shipping mountaineering be held
up unit this return to Washington. That
Is where the matter now stands. The three
names OF Knox. Miller and Wood are be-
fore the department. the delegation is d.
vided. and Rev. j. +. Eshelman still has
the ONCE.