Middletown transcript., 1905-01-14
WASHINGTON LETTER

4
WASHINGTON, D. c., January 7th, 1905.
FOR the first time probably in the his
tory OF the public charities has the
President OF the United States interested
himself personally and officially in theil
J conduct. This record was made by Presi
dent Roosevelt yesterday when he at
tended an important conference at the
White House with Speaker Cannon, Sena
tor Allison, Representative McCleary and
members of the District Board of Chari
ties and discussed with them the control
| of the local charities. The system oi
public charities in the District of Colum-
I bia is one of the most efficient in the
country, but many of its best advisers
have considered that it was weakened by
the fact that the entire control of all the
local charities is not vested in the board
of Charities under the direction OF the
District Commissioners and that purely
private charities are subsidized by Con-
gress instead of being paid under con-
tract for such work as is done by them
for the District charities proper. The
quarrel is of course local affair but the
question of the proper administration OF
municipal charities is one in which every
! city is interested and the attention given
it by the President indicates that he will
be eager to establish precedent that
will he assistance in the government of
charitable institutions and societies
throughout the country.
~
Visitors to the President these days
who are inclined to advise him about ap-
pol.tments of themselves or their near
friends TO positions or offices are apt to
receive rather scant attention. The Pres
ident by his declaration through Mr..
Cortelyou that he had no political debts
to pay has cleared himself of a pitlless
nagging system and he evidently means
to enjoy himself to the utmost now that
he is relieved of it. He has never had
any patience with the cleaginous states
men who whispered secrets in his ear and
his clear and carrying voice was the ter
ror of all who wanted to engage him in
private corner interviews, but now he
has even freer range for his candor and
he tells his visitors without evasion that |
he selects his advisors as well as his ap-
pointees. A Marshall of eastern Virginia |
called on him day or two ago and ad-
vised an appointment. Before he had |
finished his story the President informed |
him that Office holders would not be con-
sidered as advisers, nor would they. be
allowed the distribution OF patronage.
~
When it was announced that Mr.. Rock
hill would be appointed minister to China
and his position as Director of South
American Republics thereby would be
vacated there was rush to the President
with favorites and candidates for the
place. He was very courteous but his
answer was unmistakable. He would, he
said, appoint to the Dictatorship man
of his own selection. 1t is supposed that
Chas. M. Pepper, young newspaper
man, whom he has had under scrutiny
for three years will get the place to which
attaches a salary Of $1,000 ~, and social
position Of considerable prestige
~
There is a general shaking up apparent
through all the departments in Washing
ton and many an inefficient or supernum-
erous bureau chief is tremblingIy await.
ing his fate. A number of these have
been the recipients of delicate intimations
from the Secretaries that their resigna.
tion rendered before certain time would
spare them the humiliation OF discharge
and many of them are fastening to hand
in their papers. These berths, it is said,
will be in many cases filled by news
paper men ior whom the President has
developed respect and confidence. Dur
ing the campaign and during his incum-
bency Of the Office Roosevelt has depend.
ed more than any other president on the
integrity and judgement of the cores
pondents detailed to Washington, and
has come into closer and more intimate
contact with them. TIE result has been
that he has formed high opinion of the
of several OF them and will endeavor to
advance them with the hope of develop
ing men Of ability similar to Cortelyou.
49,
In the appointment OF Ministers to
foreign posts it is believed that the Presi-
dent will also exercise his freedom of
selection. In fact, in appointment of a
Minister to Norway and Sweden the
President has quietly given out that lie
will not take kindly to much pressing of
claims. w. w. Thomas of Maine, has
the position for eight years and
is considered an efficient minister, but
the opinion is prevalent that Mr. Thomas I
himself an accomplished diplo-
mat and shows it by managing his own
appointments. Eight years ago he estab-
lished head quarters in Washington and
on the ground, an alert aud
campaigner until he got his !
appointment. 1t is said he had about an I
acre of petitions and testimonials, the like {
Of which astonished even such hardened
politician as Speaker Reed. The presi-
dent when informed of Mr.. Thomas
ability in this line has intimated tia {
diplomats returning here to urge their
claims will not be warmly received.
Minister Thomas therefore is exceedingly
uncomfortable in his uncertainty as to
and the more distressing