Arizona republican., 1904-11-20
PHOENIX ARIZONA. NOV. 20, 1904.
Governor Brodie to Have Promotion?

Governor Brodie to Have PrOmOtlonT
 For several months prior to the cleo
 ton it was understood by number
 cf people in Arizona who are usually
 well informed, that it was MT. Roose-
 velt's intention. in the event of his
 election, to offer another federal posi-
 tion to Governor Brodie The gover-
 nor, it should be understood, took no
 part in circulating these rumors,
 Since the election this understanding,
 whether it has a substantial founda-
 ton or not, has become so general that there is now no impropriety in alIud-
 ing to it.
 What position the president has in mind for his esteemed comrade cf the
 Spanish war, appears to be unsettled. Reports more or less plausible have it
 that the post Of ambassador to Mex icO is to be the plum. Others are to the effect that Governor Brodie is to succeed Gel. Eugene Ware as commis- sioner of pensions. Still another report is that the governor is to be ap- pointed paymaster in the army with rank of major in the regular service. It is known that the Mexican ambas- sadorship will be open to some good man before very long, Ambassador Clayton having some time ago signified wish to retire at the end of this ad- ministration. It is known, also. that it will be necessary to appoint a new ron feE future. Indeed, the Washington dis patches a few days ago stated that Commissioner Ware had already ten dered his resignation. He has never been satisfied with the position. and he has remained in the office solely on account of the presidents earnest wishes in that regard.
 It cannot be doubted that Governor Brodie would prefer a line appointment in the army to anything else His mil itary training and his tastes naturally turn him in that direction. And there can be no doubt, either, that MT. Roosevelt would be delighted to favor the governor with an army appoint ment But the difficulty is that under the existing law the president cannot appoint a civilian to any command in the army between second lieutenant and brigadieI general. Accordingly. a command in the regulars is not avail able for the governor without an act of congress- It has been suggested that congress might in view of his dis services, pass a special act placing him on the retired list, with the rank of colonel and the pay of a retired officer of that rank. But without cen gressionaI action it appears to be i'm possible for the president to make an ] acceptable appointment except in the l paymaster service.
 It has seemed most probable that the | governor would be appointed commis- l sioner cf pensions, except for the fact | that hitherto it has been an unwritten | law that the commissioner of pensions l must be a member of the Grand Army | of the Republic Still. MT. Roosevelt on occasions has shown a readiness to ! disregard precedent; and in any event age will soon bar all veterans of the | Grand Army from appointment to po- | sitions which call for arduous labcr. | And the commissioner of pensions has about the hardest job under the gov ernment
 There is, of course, considers ble curi- osity throughout Arizona as to the out | come of these rumors, and it is possi- ble this curiosity will be satisfied af- | ter Governor Brodie meets President | Roosevelt. They will probably have a | at St. Louis on Tuesday of l this week, when the president is to | visit the exposition. At any rate they l will meet before the governor leaves for Arizona.