Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-23
THOMPSON GOES TO MEXICO
Fsrmsl Announcement Of Transfer Made at
State Department.
ELIMINATION or A LIVELY CONTEST
President Informs senator Gamble
that He Loses in the Fight over
the south Dakota District
Attorneyship.
prom a stan CorresnondentN

CFrom a STAFF Correspondent)
WASHINGTON. Dec. 22.-(Special Tele-
gram)-David f. Thompson goes to Mexico
as ambassador The State department an
nounced his selection today as successor
TO E. II. Conger of Iowa.
The ups and downs which Mr. Thompson
has had so far as his diplomatic career is
| concerned are most interesting. Mr..
Thompson was never at any time a cand
date for the Mexican mission. His friends
made him candidate and he stood by the
wishes of these friends, but personally he
never turned a hand to bring about his
appointment as ambassador to Mexico.
Charges were made against Mr. Thompson
while ambassador to Brazil which called
for personal investigation on the part Of
the State department. Judge Penneld, So
licitor for that department. made an ox-
haustive investigation of the charges at
fiist hand and he verbally reported TO the
president and Secretary Root the result of
| his investigation. Nothing in the way of
written report SO far as can be learned,
was ever placed on file. Mr.. Thompson and
Judge Penfield returned to the United
States from Brazil on the same steamship.
Judge Penleld came to Washington imme-
diately after the berthing Of the ship. Mr..
Thompson took his time before coming TO
Washington but his presence in Washing
ton so far az can be ascertained, was not
known to the president.
Thompson at Washington.
Mr.. Thompson called at the State depart
ment one morning and saw Assistant Sec
retary Bacon. Secretary Root being out OF
the city Then in quiet way Mr.. Thomp-
son gathered the Nebraska delegation to-
gether at a luncheon one day and dplo-
mlliCall on, to elro
At this point knockers began to get IN
their work. Thompson was to be fired
they said. The charges against him had
been sustained and Judge Penfleld lad told
a narrowing story Of the differences be-
tween the ambassador and the consul gen
eral at Rio Janeiro. The republic Of Bra zil
was afinme over the Tumor that Mr..
| Thompson would go back to Brazil after
his vacation, All those and more were re-
peated by eastern newspapers under big
headlines.
But Mr.. Thompson never said a word.
| He was waiting, evidently for the other
fellow to show his hand, and the hand be-
| ing shown the president saw no reason
why the original agreement made between
one or two of Mr.. Thompson's friends up
ward of year ago should not be carried
out.
retary of state has been selected by the
president as the first American minister to
/ Norway. Charles DENLY, chief clerk of the
! department has been determined upon rs
sucsensor 30 iafsy reitee m TIM State de-
partment. This announcement was made
officially at the department today.
Gamble Loses First Round
Senator Gamble has lost ont in the first
stages OF his fight against Senator Kilt
| redee and Representatives Martin and
! Burke over the nomination OF a United
States attorney in South Dakota The pres
! idcnt has told him that he will not give
another term to James n. Elliott, present
| United States attorney Of South Dakota
The president, however, has not decided
that he will name as United States attorney
the man backed by Senator Kittredge and
Mcssrs Martin and Burke and in this re-
| spect the anti-Gamhle combination has not
yet won its fight. When the question came
up about tho expiration of tho term of Dis
/ trlct Attorney Elliott. tho first test of
strength of tho two factions was made at
tho White House. Senator Gamble. single
handed and alone, backed Elliott for
/ another torn. alleging that Elliott's record
was a good one and that ho had held Office
long enough to he of vauo to the govern
mcnt. The Kittredgo- Martin combination
! presented tho name Of 4. c. Bernatzki Of
Salem for United Statcs attorney, urging
his qualifications. The president has had
the matter under consideration, but has gone
no further than to say that he will not
nominate Elliott for another term. Elliott
is said TO bc one of CANDLES campaign
managers, which makes the blow doubly
hard. 1t is probable the president will in
sist on some man whose name has not
been presented 20 him so far.
Fights for Cattle Men.
Senator Warren Of Wyoming talked TO
tho president today about the recent order
Of tho Interior department relating to the
rental Of forest reserves for grazing. This
question is causing much discussion in the
west, and various suggestions have been
offered. There is opposition on the part Of
number of western people TO any charge
for grazing in tho forest reserves and other
interesting questions deal with the method
OF giving permits, especially as to prefer
ence among applicants.
Postal Matters.
Representative Mccarthy today called at
tho Postofice department and made re-
quest for additional clerks at Bancroft and
Flat River
Gustave H. Welper has been appointed
regular and Henry Wumeck, substitute
rural carrier for Route . at Albin, la.
Postmasters appointed: South Dakota
Crow Lake. Jerauld county, Harry F. Bo-
gardus, vice ]. T. McGlashan. dead wv
oming-Granger. Sweetwater county. Benja-