The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-12-31
The Democratic Advocate.
WESTMINSTER, MD.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 81, 1904
Baltimore's New Postmaster.

President Roosevelt on Monday announced
that be had selected W. Hall Harris for Post
master of Baltimore The announcement was
a bombshell in the Republican ranks-among
the regulars as well as the irregulars. Who
is responsible for the selection no one seems
to know. McComas says he was neutral in
the matter. although the President had men
toned Mr.. Harris 20 him; Charles J. Bona
parte says the President had talked to him
garding Mr.. Harris, and be had spoken well
of him. 1t is true that the selection of Mr.
Harris is attributed to each Of them, and some
prominent Republicans are anything but
pleased that Mr.. Bonaparte should be the
Presidents adviser, or that Mr.. McComas
should take up man unknown in the party
The most disappointed man is Congressman
Wachter, and he has not hestated to express
his astonishment and chagrin. He also ac-
cuses President Roosevelt of bad faith, be
cause he says, the President assured him that
he would not appoint postmaster for Balti-
more without first notifying him.
The Baltimore Sun of Tuesday gives the fol-
lowing interview with Mr.. Wachter:
''There is little I can say. | am simply too
astounded for words. No dndzemeGt is par
ticularly great because of the fact that I had
the cord of the President gireH to me person
Glig that he tcould not make this appointment
without notifying me or calling me INTO con
ference. Having been told this so distinctly
by the President, | felt confident that even if
my candidate was not selected | would know
who would be named in advance OF the
nouncement.
cit is unnecessary for me to say that had
not the slightest inkiBg of the appointment of
Mr.. Harris | do not know Mr. Harris. |
never saw him and | never heard of him.
do not know whether he Is a Democrat or a
Republican. and have heard ofuo par, played
BY him in the battles of the party in the past.
ssYou say that the name of Mr. Harris was
presented to the President by Mr.. Charles }.
Boraparte. This is almost great surprise
10 me as the appointment itself. | can only
say that Mr.. Bonaparte's attitude toward this
question must have changed recently. de
told the candidates for the place who saw him
that he was not interested 10 who was to be
postmaster, either directly or indirectly. He
said be was a Federal oficeholder himself and
frequently engaged 10 Federal investigation;
therefore it would not be proper for him 10
recommend any candidate to he President
and he could take no active part in the mat
impression among those who sought him on
this matter that be was not interested and
would not urge the appointment Of anyone.
Believing Mr.. Bonaparte 10 be sincere in what
he said, the candidates for the place did not
trouble him.
Hereafter think it would be well for those
who want to bold Federal Offices IN Maryland
10 see Mr.. Bonaparte first. as i would appear
that his word has more weight than that Of
H.. L.. - 81
of the party's battles in this State for many
years and who succeeded last November in
practically carrying this State for Roosevelt.
Congressman Mudd some time ago was quoted
IN The Sun as saying that he was IN no way
taking part in the postoiice fight 4 am moi,
said Mr.. Mudd, "a spokesman a patronage
moBger. / leave these things to such gentle
men as NJ. Charles J. Bonaparie. who has =
natural inclination that way. ] thought this
was joke at the time, but il does not seem 10 !
be joke now.
From the standpoint Of merit aud fitness
for the place General Macdonald, whom |
recommended. stood cut pre- eminent among
the other candidates, and his appointment
would have pleased every element Of she Re
publican party in Maryland.
The Baltimore American. the Republican
organ Of Maryland, is not pleased with tbe
appointment Of Mr.. Harris. Il SAYS that Mr..
Harris does not represent that element IN The
party which has borne The bruut Of battle. /
land his selection will no, be source Of /
strength The American also severely crit |
icises Senator McComas. TO whose influence /.
the appointment is attributed, aud asks-'-ls /
it his desire to disrupt the party before retir /
ing from he Senate ~ Here is the Ameri- 4
cans comment on the selection OF Mr.. Harris: I
The appointment By the President OF W.
Hail Harris TO the p0stmAsiershfp % Baltl- 4
more comes as a great surptse 10 the Repub- /
licans Of Maryland Mr. Roosevelt while .
apparently awaiting himself OF the services e f
Mr.. Banaparte AS counselor. has really +
hearkened 10 the voice of Senator McComAs. I
The men who had 10 the last campaign fought 4
the battle Of the party had practically wrestrd +
the State from the opposition and given Mr.. ,
Roosevelt a tremendous vote against heavy
odds, had certainty the right 70 expect that 1
their aivice would have ITS due weight; bat, I
though representing the real sentiment of Re +
pubicans, their suggestions, unfortunately for 4
the party, have fallen on deaf ears.
Al Senator MeComas' door must be laid the
responsibility for the selection. He persist
entity stood against the choice Of those who had 4
the right TO be heard. Ii seemed as Il be .ook
a special delight TO disturb the harmony and 4
solidity OF the party by refusing TO CO operate
with those who. in previous campaigns had /
been associated with him ia the party orgAui-
cation. HIS ayowsl that the appointment is
blow at the political prestige Of Collector Stone
is not only in bad Taste, bur has all the appear
ance of the petulanee of disappointed man
He certainly cannot have forgotten thar in the
campaign 10 which be was defeated for re
election be had the most earnest aud enthus
asGc support Of the Collector and all Of the /
Collectors friends, aud hence, for him nov 10
boast of RELOCATING Mr.. Stone to the rear Is one
of the most remarkable attitudes assumed by
party leader IN recent years. Is II his desire
to disrupt the party before retiring from the
Senate
Mr.. Harris is a lawyer Of standing and
public spirited citizen, bu, TO the mass and file
of the party be is unknown. he does not
represent that element which has borne the
brunt of battle, and bis selection will not be
source Of strength. His appointment comes
at a most inopportune time.
The college or university that permits hazing
encourages rowdyism.