The Washington times., 1908-01-21
SENATE IN CLASH
WITH PRESIDENT
ON APPOINTMENT
Say PenSacola'S Post
master Holds Office
Year More Than
Term.

The war Of the Senate on The Presi-
dents patronage arrangements has de-
veloped new sensation. The facts
leaked out today following the execu-
i've session Of yesterday.
The Senate, in executive session, after
a statement by Senator TaHaferro of
Florida of the facts in the Pensacola
postofice case. took steps for an investi-
cation of the legal aspects of the Presi-
dents action in continuing Postmaster
Northup, OF Pensacola. In o1sce for al
most a year after his rejection by the
Senate.
The case was declared by Senators, it
is understood. 10 be the very sort the
Presidents critics have been seeking
They believe they can make on it
stronger indictment for usurpation of
patronage power than has vet been pro-
duced- II IS regarded by the Senatorial
critics Of White House policies as worse
than the Ohio cases in which pOstmas-
Iers were appointed on such conditions
that when the facts were explained the
Senate unanimously rejected them.
Northup Renominated.
William II. Northup was appointed
postmaster at Pensacola, the most i'm
portant Office in Florida, February 49,
1893. lie was confirmed and received a
four-year commission About a year
ago he was nominated TO succeed him
self, despite strong opposition and
charges against the efficiency of his con-
duct of the office. Senator Mallory,
since dead, took the case before the
Senate and on an exposition OF the case,
Northup was rejected by that body.
Instead Of making a new appointment
the President continued Northup in the
office under the old appointment. Under
the department rules, a postmaster con-
tinues in office until his successor is
appointed, confirmed. ana qualified. 1t
is now COnJended that while Northup
has been TenOminated by the President
and rejected, he can still serve in
dennltely under this rule as applied 70
the old appointment.
II IS conceded at the department that
If Northup had been a new man. ap-
pointed year ago to succeed somebody
else, and had been rejected, he would
have been forced out of the office. But
being once IN the office, no matter how
unsatisfactory his service, and despite
his rejection by the Senate. he cannot
be forced cut, even after the expiration
of his commission, If the President de-
clines 10 name a successor In this case
NoTthup has served almost a year
after being rejected, and after the eX-
piratiOn OF his commission.
Waited Before Protesting.
The Florida Senators waited a long
time without making protest. supposing
that a new appointment would be made
IN due time. But as the session of
Congress is now almost two months old.
and they could discover no evidence Of
intention 10 make new appointment,
Senator Talferro took the case before
the Senate in yesterdays executive SEES
sion. Much effort was made to keep
the discussion secret, and not until to
day did Gnything about il leak out
According TO reports, the attitude Of
the Administration in this case was
most severely cenSured by Senators on
both sides. The case was pronounced a
most effective demonstration OF the
charge of late freely made by both
Republican and Democratic Senators
thar the patronage power is being used
TO Taft.
So vigorous was the Senate's dis
agreement with the Administrations
attitude in retaining NOrthup, that
steps were takeA to secure an official
statement from the POstoniCe Depart
ment about the case. which will be
followed. IL is said, By an investigation
b. the Senate.
In connection with this Pensacola
case, II was said in political circles to-
day That very recently a number Of
powerful Florida Republican politicians
were entertained at the White House
very quietly; so quietly that the func-
ton received no publicity at all. The
anti-Taft interests charge that the ar
fair had to do with arrangements for
perfecting the Taft lineup in the State.
In the executive session OF the Senate
yesterday afternoon. that BODY without
q dissenting vote rejected the nominal
ton OF Charles Fairbanks, as pension
gent at Concord, y. II. The fact Mr.
Fairbanks bears the same hOnOrabie
name as the Wee President didn't save
him. The nominee is a Taft man. and
chill faction IN New Hampshire, which
Streeter in his aspirations for the Sen
the name Of Fairbanks was sent to the
Senate Pensions Committee. Senators
GaHinger and Burnham Of New Hamp-|
shire objected 10 it's being reported fav-|
orably. The committee voted to reject
It. and this action was followed by the
rejection in the Senate execution ses-
sion.
May Abolish Agency.
Reports are afoat that the President
in turn will abolish the pension agency
at Concord. but this is denied by the
Presidents friends. That he will find
some way to get even with the New
Hampshire Senators and prevent them
from having their own way about this
valuable piece OF patronage is generally