Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-19
ILLINOIS TOWN
THREATENEDBY
SERIOUS FLOOD
Federal Patronage
Up To Pre- ,;dent
Senate congressman
Ar, y Permitted to
Taxa Hand in the Mat
ter by Courtesy

101 Wy SOAf tCoy
Washington Bureau of
The Ottumwa Courier.
Washington, u. c., Jan. 1S.
Misapprehension appears to exist III
certain quarters in Iowa with respect
to the manner in which federal officers
of the United States in Iowa, are
chosen.
The opinion seems to prevail to
considerable extent that the people of
the state of Iowa and the members of
congress and the senators are the
parties who determine who shall oc-
cupy these positions. This is mis-
take. Except by courtesy the sena-
tors, congressman and people have
nothing whatever to do with the selec-
tion of these federal officers. The
President Of the United States is the
sole arbiter and judge as to whom
shall be appointed.
The judges, marshals, collectors Of
internal revenue, district attorneys,
bank examiners and pension agents
are officers of the United States gov
ernment; not offices of the state.
The President appoints them all and
he can appoint anybody he desires re-
gardless of what senators or congress-
men may say or desire.
This is not saying that the Presi-
dent does make these appointments
regardless of the desires Of the dele
CATION. On the contrary he with OK
Iceptions permits the matter of selec-
tion to be made by those familiar with
the men who aspire for the positions
In almost every state in the union
except Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska,
the latter two having adopted the
Iowa method, the senators in each
state, alone, designate the federal Of
i ficers. Sometimes one senator controls
all the patronage. Specific cases might
be mentioned where one senator from
a state is "in" and the other is "out"
with the President and the former
! gets all the patronage. Specific cases
could also be mentioned in which
neither senator was consulted but in
which the President went ahead and
appointed men in opposition to the
wishes Of the senator's.
! But the rule in every state except
| the three mentioned is for the senators
to control the federal patronage of their
state and the congressman to name
| the postmasters. In Iowa the con-
gressmen not only name the postmas-
| ters but under the practice in vogue
they have practically an equal voice
with senators in the dispensing of the
federal. pie. On the other hand the
senators have nothing to do with nam
/ ing postmasters except in the town
in which they live.
The Iowa delegation settles the fed
/ eral patronage in caucus Oftentimes
the caucus extends over a period of
months before an agreement can he
reached. The President knows moth
ing of this officially. When the dele
| cation finally comes to an agreement
the list of names for the various Of
fees is made and the delegation signs
the recommendation So far as the
President officially knows every mem
Der of the delegation is heartily in
favor of every man named for every
Office. The President appoints the
men and their appointments are coil
f1rmed
| Perhaps somebody may say that
while the President has power and au-
thority to appoint all federal officials
| for Iowa, he must have the approval
of the senators or his appointees will
not be confirmed by the senate This
is also mistaken idea. Confirmation
is not necessary. If the senate fails
to confirm appointments and adjourns
without taking such action the Presi-
dent Immediately makes vacation
appointment which is good until con.
gress convenes. When congress con
venes he again appoints and if the SEN
ate continues to take no action, he
continues to appoint. And all this
| time the officer has been drawing his
regular pay and he is just as legal
ly in Office and possesses all the pow
ers that belong to his Office.
Numerous cases might be sighted in
which this has been done James ID.
Elliott, United States district attorney
! for South Dakota Is in Office under
exactly such conditions today. Elliott
was appointed at the instance of Sena-
/ tor Gamble at the close of the last
session and again appointed at the be-
4 ginning of this session. He has not
been confirmed because Kittredge,
who is at outs with Gamble is holding
up the confirmation. Yet Elliott IS
acting as district attorney and draw
ing his pay. Immediately after Marcn
4 the President will make recess
appointment for Elliott and he viii
again appoint him the first day of the
next session and so on.
FRANK ]. Stillman.