Evening star., 1902-03-03
At THE WHITE HOUSE
May Not Sign the Perma-
nent Census Bill.
PRESIDENTS OBJECTION
WILL COVER TOO MANY INTO
CLASSIFIED SERVICE.
Homeless California Indians-West
Point Appointments-Win Not
Go West This Year.


Immediately signing it. Just what he will
do is not known even to those who have
done the most in putting the bill through.
The President himself is possibly debating
what action he will take He is not op-
posed to permanent census bureau to
the classification Of those who are perma-
nently retained in the civil service. His
opposition is to that feature of the bill that
permits a transfer of surplus employees to
other departments of the government He
believes that too many clerks will have to
be absorbed into the civil. service under the
bill.
There is some question whether the Presi-
dent will veto the bill, but he may conclude
not to sign it at all, and in this event it
would become law within ten days without
executive signature. In the meantime.
however. there would have to be a further
reduction of clerks. and comparatively
small number would be covered in under
the provisions making transfers eligible.
By not signing the bill in a day or two
about 800 or more clerks who were dis
missed last week will lose their right of
transfer. Most of these clerks were dis
missed four days ago with five days leave
of absence. This leave will expire tomor
row. If the President should sign the bill
today or tomorrow they would be eligible
to transfer. The Presidents present in
tention is not to do this. Director Merriam
may have to make other discharges before
the bill becomes law.
The President had talks with Director
Merriam, Senator Quarles and Represen-
tative Hopkins today, but none of these
men would talk about the matter.
Some Hot Illinois Politics.
Illinois politics has been bubbling around
the White House all day, and the outcome
demonstrated beyond doubt that politics
in that state Is not in state of stagna-
ton William B. Ridgely, the controller of
the currency, was in conference with the
President during the morning, and the talk
is said to have been regarding charges
made by Representative Hopkins and others
that Mr.. Ridgely has been using his posi-
tion as controller to make appointments
favorable to Charles G. Dawes. the former
controller of the currency, and whose iec-
ommendation of Mr.. Ridgely upon his own
retirement from the controllers office had
much to do with the selection of Mr.. Ridge
ly to the vacancy. Mr.. Dawes influence at
the White House was then considerable. 1t
Is understood that Mr.. Ridgely succeeded in
convincing the President that he had made
no appointments looking to assistance to
Mr. Dawes. Later in the day statement
was made that the President had reiterated
to Illinois representatives, congressional and
executive, Mr.. Ridgely included, that he ex-
pected federal appointees in that state to
keep clear Of any factional work in con-
nection with the senatorial fight; and that
the election of a senator was for the llii-
nois people to decide.
He expected federal appointees in that
state and from that state to serve their
party by doing their work In their
respective offices in first-class shape. BY
refraining from improper factiOnal activity
in connection with matters with which the
federal administration had no concern they
would best serve the government and aid
in the upbuildng of their party.
Another phase of the same position of the
President came up at conference during
4 ba 1ov R2nrpGpntatiVe HOnkinS
Major Daniel Hogan, the present registrar
of grain at Chicago. Major Hogan
was recommended by Representative
sentative Iorimer for collector Of internal
revenue of the southern Illinois district His
nomination was protested by the president
Of the Chicago board Of trade. After the
conference had proceeded some time Major
Hogan inquired as to the Presidents views
regarding political activity. On learning
what they were Major Hogan stated to the
President that he would be compelled to
withdraw his name from consideration in
connection with the appointment, as he de-
sired to continue to actively participate in
the politics Of the state. Major HOgans
bers of the board of trade Of Chicago were
opposed to him and say that this is true OF
very few.
President Going to Charleston.
Mayor ]. A. Smyth of Charleston, s.
c., accompanied by Mr.. ]. c. Hamphill.
editor of the Charleston News and Courier
and Mr. c. s. Gadsden, MIR. r. G. Rhett
and Mr.. c. w. Collock, members Of the
board of aldermen of that city, arrived in
Washington this morning and registered at
the Raleigh.
Their visit to the national capital Is TO
renew the request that President Roosevelt
pay visit to Charleston and the exposition
on March IL. The members of the party
visited the White House shortly after noon
and made an urgent appeal to the Presi-
dent not to give up his former intention Of
making a southern trip. They assured the
President that the people Of Charleston and
South Carolina deplored the Tillman epi-
sode and were unanimous in their desire
to extend to him their hospitality The
members of the party enjoyed lunch with
the President.
I'VE are here to impress upon the Presi-
dent the importance of his carrying out the
determination to visit Charleston. which
was necessarily postponed because of the
illness of his son., Mr.. Hemphill said to an
Evening Star reporter this afternoon. Our
visit is non-political Regardless of sword
presentation, or anything else, we want the
Prt >tdCnt as the guest Of our city and state
| arL 'e- want to show him our hospitality"
TIN President informed the delegation
that .,r would visit the exposition.
number of people have advised the
President not to make the trip. but the
South Carolina people have been so warm
and sincere in their cordial expire ssions that
the President has decided that he will go
ingly gratifying throughout the state it is
| said by members of the delegation here
! from Charleston.
B. F. Bingham, commander of the De-
| partnent Of the Potomac, G. A. R.; John
Slabaugh, John McElroy and Judge Kim
ball. all of the District organization saw
the President today in behalf of comrade
who was dropped out Of an Office some time
| ago.
Irrigation and Forest Reserves.
Representative Mondell of the House
committee on arid lands had conference
with the President this morning about ir-
/ rigation and preservation of forest re-
serves The President is much interested
| in both Of these subjects and desires to see
some legislation by Congress. Mr.. Mend II
has been instructed by his COMMITTEES to
| favorahly report the bill agreed upon by
the western congressman for the irriga-