The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-18
LONG SHES AT IT
Doesn't Care to Worry About
Federal Patronage.
Too Early Even to Think About
Distribution.
NOT TILL HE RETURNS.
Next Fall the Question of Officers
viii Be Considered.
Four Big Places to Be Filled
Next Winter.
NOT TILL HE RETURNS.

Washington, April 18-There has been
a good deal of loose talk in Kansas, and
some emanating from here, in respect of
federal patronage in Kansas; and ap-
pointments to be made in the four big
places in the state: United States dis
trict attorney, United States marshal,
collector of internal revenue, and United
States pension agent at Topeka.
There is nothing to Indicate that any
body's mind is made up; or that there
are to be any sudden changes made in
these positions On the contrary, very
little consideration appears to have been
given by those who actually viii have
the filing of these positions.
Senator Long has not made up his
mind as to what he will do in the mat.
ter; nor has he issued any semi-officiaI
bulletins as to his intentions, as some
papers would have it understood. Nor
has he worried himself in the least in
regard to this matter.
It is possible that Senator Long may
have considera bic to say about filing in
these places, when it is time for them
to be filled; but on the other hand it is
by no means certain that Senator Long
viii have undisputed authority in the
matter. even though he SO desired.
Newspapers have busted themselves
for several weeks in speculation as to
those federal officeholders in Kansas
who would have to walk the plank.
They have had Senator Long making
recommendations; placing the appoint
ments here and there; playing in with
the Hoch administration, and playing
out with other factions and crowds
but the truth has not yet been hit.
The fact is that Senator Long is not
worrying about federal patronage. It
is not yet time to give serious thought
to the matter. He has other more inn
portant business on hand. He is now
on his way home to Kansas. where he
will spend some weeks in quiet at his
home in Medicine Lodge. and viii also
make a few addresses at college COM
mencements, and the like.
But just about the time the next
batch of dull day stories about the
Kansas senator and his plans is due,
Mr.. Long will be well on his way to
the Philippine Islands for his three
he reaches Kansas on his return from
the insular possessions, he will have
to start for Washington to be present
when congress will convene in extra
ordinary session on October II. Just
now he is interested more in closing
up his departmental work; returning
to his quiet Kansas home, and making
plans for his trip to the Philippine
Islands than in worrying about KAN
sas federal Jobs.
Then there is another thing to be
remembered: There viii be no va
cancy in any of the big four places
until winter. The expirations of four
year terms in these positions will be
as follows:
John s. Dean, United States district
attorney, December II. 1905.
James NJ. Simpson, collector of in
ternal revenue, about October 1, 1905.
Wilder S. Metcalf, United States
pension agent at Topeka, January 80,
William H. Mackey, 1r., United
States marshal, December 9, 1905.
So it will be seen there is about six
months before the first expiration will
be at hand
Also there is this: The exact status
of Senator Burton viii not be definite
" determined much before fall. and
this is likely to enter somewhat into
the situation.
So Kansas federal patronage. de-
spite rumor is not yet cut and ready
to be dispensed.
Mr.. Eugene F. Ware late commissioner
of pensions, now living in peace and re-
tirement at Topeka, is displaying some of
the stubbOrnness that made him famous
in official life in Washington. He is re-
large portrait of himself to be hung on
the walls of the big private pension Of
nee Of the commissioner of pensions in
Major Warner, the new commissioner of
pensions, and his secretary, Captain T. D
Yeager, who was also Mr.. Wares secre-
tary, have been in vigorous correspon-
dence with the Topeka. man to have him
send along this likeness. But though Mr.
Ware responds felicitously to ali other
references in their letters, Captain Yeager
despairingly AYERS that he believes it to
be Wares intention utterly to ignore the
picture business and not come to time
with a reproduction of his countenance
Ware and Green B. Raum, who was Ben
jamin Harrison's commissioner of pen
sions, are the only commissioners oil. pen
slons missing in the galaxy for 20 years.
That is what is causing remorse and sor-
row in the big pension building. There is
a fair picture of General William W
Dudley, who was commissioner under
Hayes, Garfield and Arthur; a good one
of General John c. Black, who was COM
missioner in Cleveland's first term: one
of Corporal" James Tanner. who held the
Office brief time under Harrison; even
William LOchren, Cleveland's second term
commissioner, execrated all over the land
/ for his rulings and decisions, is present.
Henry Clay Evans of Tennessee vigor-
ously hated by many old soldiers. smiles
/ benevolently down from the wall But
Ware, the unique and eccentric commits
/ sioner, IS not present with his fellows