Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-04-14
CUTTING THE PIE
FEDERAL PATRONAGE MUST
SOON BE DISTRIBUTED
AMONG iowANs
ouadrenniaI Event Of Much Import
ance to- Nine Citizens and Their
Friends VIII Take Place soon-Ad-
journnent Is in Sight.

Washington, D. c., April 12.-(spe-
ciaD There are surface indications
that before great while develop.
ments may be expected in, the matter
OF the distribution of the federal pie
In Iowa; quadrennial event of much
interest to nine citizens and their
friends.
Up to this time it has been impossi-
pie to discover any interest in Wash
lngton, In this interesting affair, with
which the delegation usually wrestles
all the way from six to ten weeks ev-
cry long session of congress. Either-
to It has been pulled OF EARLIER than
this; at least the caucusing has begun
before April 1. But this year inquiries
from time to time have failed to elicit
any enthusiasm whatever in the prop
osttton. OF course the terms Of the
most OF the incumbents of federal po-
sitions in Iowa expire June 30, and be-
fore that date caucus will be held
to determine the successors Of the
men who now hold commissions, but
nobody has appeared to- have any
thought as to when the labors of the
delegation would begin. Not only that
but the members of the aforesaid
delegation have appeared to be some
what Indifferent when the call should
be issued or how long into the future
1t should be deferred
Whether or not the word was quietly
passed along the line that there need
be no hurry, or, whether each member
OF the delegation, having keen recol-
lection of past prolonged caucus, re-
trained from suggesting the subject,
cannot be stated that the fact re-
mains that SO far as it has been pos
sible to find out the subject of eau
Gus" has not Ito this date been men
toned. Members Intercepted on the
subject have not only indicated sur
prising lack of information, but there
has been, no inclination to discuss the
question. 70
&, A Live Subject.
With the adjournment of congress
perhaps only, six weeks ahead, and not
to exceed two months, at farthest, 1t
may confidently be expected that be-
fore long the topic may become a. live
one OF course, the. matter of date
for calling the caucuses Is practically
in the hands Of Senator Allison as the
dean of the delegation. While this is
true, Senator Allison keeps his ear
very close to the ground and heswould
undoubtedly be governed very largely
by the desires OF the delegation. On
the other hand unless the need for i'm
mediate action became imperative
members of the delegation would wait
for suggestions from Senator Allison.
Previous experience has fully proven
that early caucuses are sunwise. AS
long as there is unlimited time ahead
practically no progress is made In the
carly stages Of the meetings, particu-
larly when conditions are somewhat
mixed. Therefore, 1t is reasonable to
suppose that Senator Allison took the
view that time would be saved and
worry would be saved by deferring the
caucus until shortly before the adj
journment of congress- With the end
of the session in sight each meeting of
| the delegation would count for some
thing and there would be a getting to-
gether and closing up promptly of
the business on hand.
It now seems probable that the
meeting will be called for the first
week in May. Some of the congress.
sional conventions are scheduled for
the latter part of this month, which
will make it inadvisable to get. the
delegation together earlier than May.
AS the lineup at the pie countei
no wappears, each district in the
state has at least one federal position
except the second and tenth. The
tenth district has had no distinctively
Estate Office for some time and in view
of the fact that several government
officials holding positions in Washing
ton reside in that district, 1t is under
stood that the situation ist fairly salts
factory.
The Southern Districts.
The second district formerly had {
| Mnnnu Cavinn