The Washington times., 1904-12-27
L |HORE PARTY
Headers AROUSED
eensed at McComas on
Postmastership Deal.
HOW HARRIS WAS NAMED
Wachter Claims Promise From Presi-
dent-Approves Mudd's View
of Bonaparte.

Politicians in Maryland have rarely
been SO surprised and agitated by any
happening in the sphere of their activ-
ity as they We're by the announce
ment IN The Times yesterday. of
the prospective appointment of w
Han Harris as postmaster at Baltimore
a NUMBER or them were unwilling to be-
iieve the report was true until they
learned 1t had been authorized from the
White House.
Mir Harris is q lawyer and society
man and his name was suggested TO the
PRESIDENT by Charles j. Bondparte. Like
AT, benaparte. he is interested in civil
service reform, but has never taken any
part in politics He is a cousin of Mr.
Bonaparte's wife.
How Appointment Was Made.
Republican leaders in Baltimore are
admittedly disappointed that Gen. ].
Stuart Macdonald, who was regarded
as the strongest candidate in the field
Gid not land the plum. He had strong
backing and was understood to be sat
lsfactory to all the business and pro-
Iesslonai interests of the Monumental
CITY, but having received the indorse-
ment OF Collector Stone and Represen-
tative Wachter he was not looked upon
favorably by Senator McComas
AS the leaders could not agree. the
PRESIDENT sought Mr.. Bonaparte's al
wee; and he promptly suggested his
wifes kinsman. The President Summon
ed Mr.. Harris, and when his decision
was made known to Mr. McComas. the
latter promised to favor confirmation Ly
the Senate
What the Leaders Say.
Charles J. Bonaparte was not sur
prised to hear of the announcement that
MIR. Harris will be named, and said:
4 know Mr.. Harris very well and
consider him thoroughly fit for the pc
sition, and 1 think also that the Presi-
dent has been very patient in waiting :as
long as he has for unanimous sugyes-
ION from the leaders of MS party N
Maryland as to this office 1 am conf
dent that an appointment made on his
own initiative and with a regard for
fitness only in the appointee will be APP
proved by public opinion
McComas Held Responsible.
Senator McComas expressed no sur
prise, as he knew of the Presidents in
tentions. He had made an engagement
Tor a conference tomorrow with Repre-
sentative Wachter and General Mac
Donald, but the announcement ends the
plans for that meeting These develop
mentS VIII serve to widen the breach in
the Republican party, it is declared in
baltimore, and great feeling is reported
10 exist there in party circles over the
The supporters of General Macdonald
look upon the Senator as primarily re-
sponsible for the failure OF the Presi-
dent to appoint him, and assert that his
only reason for Withholding his sup
port from Macdonald was because of
the political breach between him and
Wachter- The latter's friends declare
McComaS' refusal to indorse any c4ndi-l
date who had been named or put for
ward, except one of his own finally
wore out the patience of the President,
who took the bull by the horns and de-
termfned to end the matter.
Wachter Is Outspoken.
Representative Wachter. when assured
that the report was true. said:
Il am simply too astounded for words.
My amazement is particularly great be-
cause of the fact that l had the word
OF the President given to me personally
that he would not make this appoint
ment without notifying me or cali
ing me into conference Having been
told this distinctly by the Presi-
candidate was noi selected l would
know who would be named in advance
OF the announcement.
It is unnecessary for me to say that
I had not the slightest irkling OF the
appointment OF Mr.. Harris. l do not
know MIR. Harris. l never saw him and
l never heard of him. / do not know
whether he Is Democrat or a Republic
can. and have heard of no part played
by him in the battles of the party in
the past.
Wrathy at Bonaparte.
Regarding Mr.. Bonaparte, Representa-
tive Wachter said:
Mr.. Ropaparte told the candidates
who saw him that he was not interested
in who was to be postmaster, either c.
rectly or indirectly He said he was
Federal ofticeholder himself and fire.
quently engaged IN Federal investiea-