Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-10
MR.. OVERSTREET TALKS
HIS STATEMENT ABOUT THE M
DIANAPoL1s sURvEYoRsHIn

~RACSShioaN9 OCoSc oNe16t1Sck VA AAe~
diana. who Is feeling very sore as re.
suit Of the Presidents designation OF Sena.
tor Beveridge's candidate, Rothschilds, to
the surveyorship OF the port of Indianapolis
Instead OF b B. Stalnacker. who was Mr.
Overstreets candidate, today made a state
ment to Star man on the matter. Mr..
Overstreet safdt
Since the creation of the Office of sur
veyor of the port OF Indianapolis more than
quarter of a century ago, the universal
practice has been through all administra.
tons to make the selection of the surveyor
upon consultation with the member of Con-
gress representing that district. During
the entire period each selection has been
made by the different members in Congress
from the district from among men actively
engaged in business in the city.
Following these two customs recon-
mended to the President Mr.. Frank B. Stall
nacker for appointment to succeed Mr.
Archibald A. Young, and fled in support of
my recommendation Endorsements OF the
five commercial organizations of the city
and large number of individual recon-
mendations from business men as proof
that his selection was from the active BUSH
ness men Of the city.
The Presidents Promise.
'T learned from the President that about
a year ago he promised Mr.. Beveridge he
would appoint Mr.. Rothschilds to this po-
sition. When 1 reminded him of the uni
versal practice of making the selection
upon consultation with the members of
Congress from among those actively en-
gagged in business In Indianapolis, he said
he was sorry and had forgotten that he
ever knew that such was the practice. and
that Mr.. Beyeridge had not mentioned this
custom at the time he requested the prom
Use.
"Inasmuch as this appointment was the
only one remaining to the representative
in Congress from the Indianapolis district,
and knowing that Senator Beveridge had
been generously treated in federal appoint
ments. could not believe that the Presi-
dent would feel bound by the promise which
had been made without a proper under
standing of the facts.
Il requested Mr.. Schumacher to permit me
to name him to the President for this ap-
pointment, and at the same time explained
to him the character of the promise the
President had made and the circumstances
under which ii had been made. Mr.. Stall
hacker has not been played with, nor have
l been manipulated as intimated in a re-
cent editorial in an Indianapolis newspaper
l have acted In good faith, believing my
position was just and right, and Mr.. Stall
hacker has believed with me that, not
w1thstanding the promise referred to, the
President would see the Justice of my case,
and possibly MIR. Beveridge would himself
recognize that our position was entirely
fair.
II have not antagonized Mr.. Beveridge
nor the gentleman whom he has recon-
mended.
Mr.. Beveridge has attacked my position,
and opposed the practice which has OBJ
tanned for more than a quarter of a cent
ury. and in succeeding has deprived me OF
the only appointment left to the represent
tative in Congress from the indianapolis
district except the members of the board of
pension examiners. He has used the power
only appointment I have except those 1
have just named. AS his friend. both per-
sonal and political, 1 was entitled to better
treatment
Mr.. Beveridge's Appointments. ~e
'Since the days of Oliver p Morton the
appointment of postmaster at Indianapolis
has been universally made by the United
States senator. With this appointment Mr..
Beveridge will now have in the federal
building at Indianapolis the following per-
sonai appointments: Judge Baker Of the
United States circuit court of appeals,
Judge Marsh. pension agent; Leland Neal,
collector of internal revenue; II. w. Ben
nett, postmaster; Mr.. Petit. United States
marshal; Mr.. RothchIlds, surveyor of the
port.
II have no personal feeling in this mat
ter and shall close the incident with this
statement Following my old practice,
hope to devote myself to those interests
which are of general and material benent
to the entire district, rather than to per-
sonal appointments which would aid me In
dividually."