The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-21


yesterday 10 show that one of the rea-
sons for the authoritative announcement
OF Friday OF President Rooseveit's pur-
pose TO strengthen Gov. Hughes admin
istration was to harmonize the contend
ing factions among New York Republic
cans. According to friends of the Presi-
dent, ne believes that it is necessary for
the governor and the Republican leaders
in the State to put aside their differ
ences so as to present a solid front IN
next years national and State campaigns.
Il was said yesterday in well-informed
quarter close 10 the President that al
ready there were signs OF the resump-
ton of better relations between the gov
ernor and some Of those with whom he
had differences.
TO Henry ". Taft, Secretary Tafts
brother, much OF the credit for the atti-
tude of the administration toward Gov.
Hughes is being given. Mr.. Taft who
lives in New York and Is taking an active
part ia Republican politics in the State,
came here this week and saw the Presi-
deaf When he left the President was in
sympathy with Gov. Hughes policies
Yesterday the admission was made that
Mr. Taft had talked over with the Presi-
dent the ACCESSIBILITY Of saying something
10 bring about better relations between
the New York Republicans, and Mr..
Tafts statement was given out with the
advance knowledge and approval of the
President
1t goes without saying that Henry
Tafts main interest in politics just now
concerns the probable candidacy OF Sec
rotary Taft for the Presidential nomina-
ton From this fact it is inferred. by
politicians, that Henry Tafts efforts 10
bring about harmony between Gov
Hughes and New York Republican lead
ers through President Roosevelt was the
first forward step in the direction of get
ting the New York delegation to the next
Republican national convention ia line
for Secretary Taft That Mr.. Roosevelt
and the administration forces viii work
TO that END is accepted here, and there is
d disposition 10 discredit the suggestion
that Mr.. Hughes is the second string 20
Mr.. Roosevelts political bow. To whom
the President viii throw his influence Il
Secretary Taft should be eliminated from
the Presidential contest has probably not
been given serious consideration.
Senators Fi0ft ana BepeWs
In view Of the announcement that the
President intended TO use his power of
appointment in New York State in such
a way as 10 uphold and strengthen the
position Of Gov. Hughes. people here are
asking what Senators Plat and Depew
viii do If they find that they are being
ignored in the distribution of New York
Federal patronage. The understanding
here is that Gov. Hughes. Congressman,
and State officers who are friendly to the
policies Of both President Roosevelt and
Gov. Hughes viii have the say as 20
Federal appointments. with the governor
or his authorized political representative
as the final arbitrator when any dispute
arises. What was said by authority Fri
day was not as specific as that, but il is
interpreted in that way.
Ii was made clear enough, however,
that anybody who did not climb on the
ROosevelt-Hughes band wagon would not
be recognized, and there is no reason 10
doubt that this will apply TO the two
New York Senators. as well as those of
less distinction. The recommendations of
the governor and his friends are 10 ex-
tend TO removal as well as appointment
The intimatiOn was given in the broadest
way that where Federal officeholders We're
believed to be antag0nistic 10 the adj
minisration of President Roosevelt and
Gov Hughes. they would be requested to
resign.
Apparently il is 10 be a cleaning up OF
"antis' who hold Federal Jobs in the
Empire State. One story is that John A
Merritt, of Lockport, collector Of Gus
toms at Niagara Falls. former Assistant
Postmaster General and former postmas-
ter at Washington. is to be turned out
but there does not appear 10 be any
warrant for this beyond a statement at
tributed to friends of eX-Representative
Wadsworth that they supposed Mr.. Mer-
rift would be compelled to go because
he had been a friend Of Wadsworth. It
was said by an official who ought 10
know that no effort was being made TO
Gust Mr.. Merritt.
Sanders Resignation Received.
The resignation of Archie w. Sanders
of his commission as collector of internal
revenue for the Rochester district was
received at the Treasury Department yes
terday afternoon, and prompt notification
of the fact given to the White House Mr.
Sanders was the first Federal oficeholder
in New York to feel the effect of the
Presidents policy 10 compel the retire
ment of those who were regarded as un-
friendly 10 Gov. Hughes and himself It
was explained when Mr.. Sanders resig-
nation came TO hand that the appoint
ment of his successor was in the hands
OF Secretary Of the Treasury Cortelyou
Mr.. Cortelyou is in New York. but will
be back IN Washington to-day Any
body recommended By Mr.. Cortelyou
would be appointed by the President, it
was said.
Dispatches from Atlanta. Macon. and
Charleston telling of conferences in those
places between Frank II. Hitchcock. first
Assistant Postmaster General and Fed
eral officials do not cause any surprise
here The dispatches say that Mr.. Hitch
cocks mission is TO provide for getting
Taft delegates at the Republican conven-
ton next year, The official explanation
is that Mr.. Hitchcock went South for
the benefit of his health and is. Incl
dentally inspecting post-ofiices. AS TO
his conferences with officials who are not
postmasteTs, it is explained that these
men are the Republican referees of the
administration, and are necessarily con-
suited by Mr. Hitchcock in regard to the
appointment of postmasters.
Close to COrteIyou.
Mr.. Hitchcock was connected with the
Republican National Committee in the
campaign of 1904 when George B. CorteI-
YOU was chairman of the committee. Be
fore that. while Mr.. Cortelyou was Sec
rotary of Commerce and Labor, Mr.. Hitch
cock was chief clerk of the department
When Mr.. Cortelyou became Postmaster
General Mr.. Hitchcock was appointed
First Assistant Postmaster General. and