The age-herald., 1901-10-07
Roose0eHS Fsrm At1si@ae
 As % Federal Abboantmeuks

Washington, October s.-In a former article the attitude of President Roose-. welt towards the civil service law and rules, the treatment and functions of the civil service commission during the next three years, and the outlook for the fed eral offices in the Presidents home city were considered. Some general observa- tions, therefore, on the distribution of what is called patronage all over the United State will be in order.
 Those reformers who look to see Presi- dent Roosevelt cut loose wholly from Senators and Representatives in making his choice of men for office are doomed to disappointm ent He will consult mem- bers of both houses of Congress concern Ing the qualifications of possible ap- pointees in their respective States and districts. Several points of difference, however, will be observed between his way of doing this and the ways of other Presidents. The theory upon which he Will proceed Is that he does not, and of necessity cannot, know personally all the eligible persons in the United States; that he must call in the assistance of some one, and that Senator or Representative may be presumed to know as much as anybody about the applicants for office in his bailiwick No member of either house will be asked to sit down and write out instructions to the President as to wbon, to appoint; and if the President already knows, or later learns, that a man who has received the commentators of a dozen Senators and Representatives is unht TOT the place to which he aspires the appointment will not be made. no matter what pressure may be brought to bear in his behalf. A hard and fast line Will be drawn between the fit and tbe unit; and within the category of the fit the best selection practicable will be made. Upon every mem Der consulted tba rresioeht Will impress the fact that if VIII pc worse than useless for any one to urge upon him bad or weak man. or even Knowingly to let him make mis- take in his choice, since not only will +ha appointee be pitched out as soon as his snor'comings are discovered. but heavy ui'eoont VIII De made thereafter from eNefy statement which comes to the Fresident from the same source. On sucb matters MT. Roosevelt has a mem orv like an indians. He Is not likely to ha ds- ceived twice by one adviser.
 IL Is believed that, as soon as tba sar a'ors ana Representatives find that tb,s is not mere talk but dead earnest and that 'he Fresioent is going to stick to his word resaroless or its threatened effect rnon ms political future they will welcome his policy as a relief to themselves wba, the Keeper of a livery-stable. who ,s power in his party locally. annl,os +o senator TOT position which can be filled properiy only by lawyer, the Senators can save both his constituent and himself considerable trouble by saying that it would be not only absolutely useless hut seriously damaging to have his name even presented. Senator and constituent may then wag their heads together and moan over the degeneracy of .le times in poli- tics, and voice their pain at having a crank for President that Is their priyi- lege, and nobody would chuckle with greater delight over the humorous side of 1t than Mr. Roosevelt if he could be within hearing; but all the same, the name must not be presented. The diff hSuity VIII De lO I1ldk6 members of Con- gress understand that the President is talking business when he tells them that they must recommend fit men only, and emphasizes the must" It will not make much difference to the President whether they advise him openly or on the sly, as long as they do 1t in a way which will enable him to fix the responsibility for bad advice. He naturally respects a man more who is open and above-board, but he will take honest advice in any way it may come to him.
 How far will politics, in the narrower sense enter into the selection of office- holders? A good deal, though it will not stand first. In the North, where the par ties are on a pretty even footing, the Pres ident, as a man who believes in parties, will prefer Republicans to Democrats, and strong party men to those who are uncer- tain or indifferent. But if 1t came to a question between an unfit Republican and a fit Democrat-an issue unlikely to be
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