The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-10-18

cial legislation. in fact, quite to the con-
Tary, and on the tariff issue they both
took most conservative stand. The
suggestion was made. however. that the
tariff law might be better for amend
ment in minor details, thus perhaps
suggesting what has been limited at be-
fore, tha1 The president would recon-
tire matter. This would postpone any
tariff agitation and naturally any at
tempt at legislation until after the
presidential election.
InEuence Counts Less.
Political influence has less to do with
the securing Of government positions
and the promotion Of government en-
ployes at the present time than for
many years past. if not possibly ever
before in the history Of this govern
ment The civil service merit system
has gradually but surely permeated
every department and any government
official who seriously NFOlates its pro-
visions is Immediately subjected to Sc
we're criticism This criticism arising
from those who are disappointed in Sc
curing what has been given to some
one else, through favOritism, possibly,
cannot be ignored. Many congressman
have learned that it is useless to go to
high officials TO secure favOrs for their
constituents, and the only way in
which this can be done now is by eX-
erting influence upon minor officials
who may have it within their power
to do something for their subOrdinates
These mi>tor officials. however, feel far
more Independent of political influence
than formerly, and many an influen-
tial member Of congress has found his
recommendations and suggestions ig-
nOred of late, where in times gone by
h1 al carFF4 al n
produce desired results.
The agitation in the pOstofiice de-
partment and the exposure OF the
abuses existing under what is known
as the temporary appointment scheme
Will lead to a curtailment Of this priv
ilege. and fewer clerks will be rail-
roaded from thirty-day jobs into per
manent places in the future. This is
also made less possible by the cOmpre-
hensive extension of the civil service
rules over nearly every form of ap-
pointment offered by Uncle Sam.
Stoddard on the Carpet.
Arizona again makes her annual ap-
pearance in Washington represented by
an official charged with malfeasance in
Office. Secretary StOddard of that ter
ritory is here looking after his interests
before the interior department. He is
a relic of a previous administration Of
territorial affairs, and as il is under
stood he is not on good terms with
Governor BrOdy and his friends. it is
likely he will have a. hard time
Strengthening matters out. President
Roosevelt refers all Arizona matters to
Governor BrOdy for the latter's Opin-
ION thereon, and this is not conducive
to the peace of mind Of the territorial
secretary. Stoddard was appointed
from New York, but was for a great
many years a resident of Washington
and has a wide acquaintance here.
Secretary Hitchcock has only just re
turned from his summer vacation and
it will be some time before he reaches
Mr.. StOddard's case.
Work For Hitchcock.
The return of the secretary OF the
interior to Washington has been
awaited with great interest by repre-
sentatives of western matters The
secretary has on his desk a large num-
Der Of important questions which have
been disposed of by his subOrdinates,
but which now await his approval or
rejection. One of these Is the Tonic
reservoir, in Arizona. The geological
work on this project and approved
everything in connection Herewith.
All that is now necessary to start the
dirt moving is the signature of the
secretary to the papers now before
him There is little doubt but that he
viii give the word TO go ahead in the
second great reclamation project in
stituted by the government.