The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-11-26
ROOSEVELT FL|PS COIN
President Lotteries Off Federal
Offices In South Dakota.
HE ENDS SENATORIAL FEUD.

@As an Ex-civiI Service Commissioner
Assure You My Action Is In Accord
ance With Civil Service Reform Prin-
cipIes," President Tells Kittredse.
washington, Nov. 26.--"Now, gentle,
men, drawn
The speaker was the president of the
United States; the scene the executive
Office at the White House. He was
conducting a lottery.
The stakes were seventeen federal
positions in South Dakota, worth APP
proximately $4,000 a year. The play
ers were Senators Kittredge and Gam
BILE.
This remarkable scene, possibly the
most astounding ever witnessed in the
history of the country in the allotment
of federal places, was brought about
by an implacable feud between the two
South Dakota senators.
losses a Coin.
Under the unwritten law of sena-
forial courtesy all federal appoint
ments must be made by the executive,
subject to agreement with the sena-
tors in the state where the appoint
ments are effective. The bitter war
fare between Kittredge and Gamble
has caused many appointments to be
held back pending an agreement be-
tween the senators and the president.
Senators Kittredge and Gamble hap
pened to visit the White House at the
same time. 1t was a coincidence, but
the president utilized it to clear up the
situation, and in doing so he resorted
to the remarkable method of drawing
lots for the appointments and in the
end dipping coin to adjudicate the
final issue at dispute.
Kittredge Has First Draw.
"Gentlemen, | shall take my own
method of settling this dispute" said
the president to the senators. Il hold
in my hand two strips of paper You,
Senator Kittredge, win draw. If you
draw the long strip you are entitled to
name the first of the men for the Of
fees to be determined upon. If you
draw the short paper Senator Gamble
shall have the privilege. Is that salts
factory"
The president impatiently shook his
hand with the slips of paper concealed
in it and advanced it toward Sena-
tor Kittredge. The senator promptly
extracted slip, and it proved to be
the long one.
II choose the assayer of the mint at
Deadwood,' said the senator. This is
considered the most important office
and carries salary of $4,000 year.
Senator Gamble silently acquiesced.
Again the papers were torn and
drawn, and the president held out his
hand toward Senator Gamble. IF you
draw the long paper you have the
same privilege as Senator Kittredge,"
was the notification. "Drawing the
short one entities Senator Kittredge to
first choice" Senator Gamble drew
and found he had the short slip. The
president turned toward Senator Kit
tredge, and he said:
fElEake the bank examiner at Mitch
Again Senator Gamble, against whom
the fortunes of war were running
strongly, bowed his acquiescence. Then
1t came Senator Kittredges turn again.
and this time he drew the short paper,
and Senator Gamble had an inning.
Chooses Surveyor General.
II choose the surveyor general for
the state" said Senator Gamble, and
in this instance Senator Kittredge ac-
knowledged his defeat gracefully.
For two more draws luck varied
and Senator Gamble and Senator Kit
tredge each won. Then the paper gave
out, and the president impatiently FUN
bled in his pocket for a coin. He with
drew one of the new gold pieces with
the inscription "In God We Trust
eliminated, and from that time on it
was a case of "heads or tails" For
tunes varied. In the end it was found
that Senator Kittredge had won nine
Offices and Senator Kittredge eight
The result of the lottery will be that
the president will be guided by it in
designating officials to fill the vacan-
cies, Senator Kittredge recommending
for the offices which he drew and Sen
ator Gamble for the others. The agree
ment is binding only in the matter of
nomination, each senator reserving the
right to oppose the confirmation Of
person nominated at the instance of
the other.
SIS this in accordance with civil
service reform principIes?" asked Kit
tredge. II ask because | don't know
much about civil service reform
LAS an ex-civil service commissioner
! assure you it is, smiled the presi-
dent, And now you are reconciled.
What a glorious sight to see brethren
dwelling thus in unity! Shake hands,
gentlemen"