The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-04
SOON BE MADE.
Pension Commissioner Will Be
Named This Week or Next.
Rumored That Senator Carpen-
ter is Still considering
THAT OFFER TO HIM.
Asserted Positively That He
Could Have Had 1t.
Why Mr.. Peters Is the Second
Choice.

Washington, d. c., April 4.-More than
three weeks ago. says a Washington
politician, Col John Q. Carpenter Of
Chan1te was rendered the appointment
OF commissioner of pensions to succeed
H. Clay Evans
At that time Col Carpenter was Wig
orous aspirant for appointment as one
of the St Louis Exposition commission
ers. He came to Washington, and on a
number of occasions called upon Presl-
dent Mckinley with members CT the
Kansas congressional delegation, VINO
were pressing his appointment a~na as
the story goes, Carpenter greatly i'm
pressed the president as being man OF
excellent ability and detail
While Mr.. Carpenter was being con-
Eidered for the St. Louis appointment
conditions arose which made it almost
impossible for the president to deviate
from 3 change OF the slate agreed upon
Gor these pluns, and at once sought for
something else equally as good as the
office desired by Mr.. Carpenter and his
friends
Having searched for some time
throughout several states for good
man to name for the cOmmissiOnerShip
of the pension bureau the president
finally decided to give the honor to kan
sas, and thereupon made the tender TO
Col. Carpenter. The president seemed
particularly DESTROYS of honOrlng Kansas
with the Office because Of its large Re
publican vote at the last presidential
election, after a long regime Of Popullsm
soldiers there. Although Kansas is well
down the list IN the matter Of popula-
ton. she is at the top in the number of
veterans and pensioners
About three weeks ago a conference
was called with Senator Burton, Repre-
sentatives Curtis. CaIderhead and Long
at the White House The president told
the delegation he would like to favor
Kansas and said he would like to name
Mr.. Carpenter for tie place The dele
cation agreed upon the selection ana
urged Mr.. Carpenter to accept it. He
declined at the time, but asked the
privilege Of taking the matter under
consideration and then returned to kan
eas.
It is said that President Mckinley is
very DESTROYS of Col Carpenter accept
ing the pension commissiOnership, yet
while Mr. Carpenter is considering the
advisabiiity Of its acceptance other kan
sans are under consideration
Judge S. r Peters. Of Nowton, for
several years a member Of congress in
the house OF representatives. may be the
new commissioner. His name has been
presented to the president, and he is
thought to be the most likely selection.
providing, of course. that Carpenter does
not want the Office. Some of the friends
OF Dick Blue have associated his name
among the possibilities for this appoint
ment. but he is not at all being serious
" considered. There are scores Of other
candidates from many states, for the
Office pays a salary Of 5000 a year and
is very desirable in the eyes. of Office
seekers.
Mr.. Carpenter did not view the honor
of being at the head of the pension
bureau as highly as he did one Of the
fat positions in connection with the COM
memoration of the Louisiana Purchase.
The president was unable to name him
TO the lair cOmmlsSionerShlp, and for
the present, at least. he will go without
any federal Office
Unless the situation changes. Kansas
viii undoubtedly bear away the coveted
plum The appointment is very likely to
be made this week, or next week at the
latest.
There are two or three other important
offices over which considerable pressure
has been exerted. and the president is
also anxious to settle the matter of their
appointments ar an early time. One of
them IS the commissioner of the land
office. now Mr. Binger Hermann. and !
another is the fourth assistant post
master general, now Mr. Joseph L. Bris- |
tow OF Kansas. Whether Mr.. Hermann
viii be refused a reappointment in view
Of the friction between himself and Sec
rotary OF the Interior Hitchcock and in
spite OF the strong endorsements Ofnum- /
erOus influential members of the house
and senators. remains to be seen.
Some powerful Republicans have been |
clamortng recently for the scalp OF Mr.. |
BristOw. but their clamoring Will be IN
Rvailing. at least for the present His |
splendid record in unearthing the postal |
frauds In Cuba would make his removal I
decidedly impolitic at least before |
Medley and Rathbone have been tried /
and the public given some time to for /
A-L AnG 4ldAtlGL III thousands OF ]
dollars were expended 1t may be that
before four years have rolled by the /
coterie of big Republicans who want |
revenge for the Cuban exposures will be |
able to get It. but from all appearances |
Mr.. Bristow is secure in Ais office for l
many months to come.
Representative Curtis returned toKan-
sas last Saturday. and Representative |
Chester l. Long departed for the west /
on Monday evening Senator Burton 1
will remain here on business for an in |
fIr~4A 7 7 A NJ TIKI A
RUSY WEAR