Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-27
FEDERAL PATRONAGE.
Several Senators And the President
Have Locked Horns.

Washington, D. c., Jan 27.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt and the United States
senate have locked horns in contest
over the distribution of federal
patronage that may have far-reach.
ing consequences in the pending DO
litical campaign.
The trouble really originated over
minor appointments in Ohio-prin-
cipally postoffice appointments 1t
began nearly year ago, about the
time it was known first that Secre-
tary Taft would be a candidate for
the presidency. The president and
the Ohio senators, Foraker and Dick,
had some differences over Ohio ap-
pointments, the former refusing to
name for office certain men whom the
senators had recommended. Late
last spring, the differences between
the president and the two senators
became acute.
Then it was that the senators let
1t be known that the president had
notified the postoffice department off,
Gals that no more Ohio postmasters
were to be appointed unless they had
Secretary Taft's o. X. on their appli-
cation. This announcement created
a furore among Ohio politicians, but
subsequently it was denied, for the
president, in semi-official way, al
though he, himself, would not dig
nifty the subject by discussing it.
Those particularly interested in
the Ohio situation kept close tabs on
the matter, however, and for many
weeks they have been convinced by
developments that some of the federal
patronage in Ohio was being used in
the interest of Secretary Taft, al
though they also are convinced that
the president may not be aware of
the true situation.
The whole matter of the use of
patronage in the presidential cam
paign was brought to a head a few
days ago when several of the presi-
dents appointees as postmasters in
Ohio were rejected unanimously by
the senate at the instance of Senators
Foraker and Dick.
This action was a match to the
powder magazine. The contest
appointments. An attack was made
on the president because he had per-
mitted w. H. Northrup to continue
as postmaster of Pensacola, Fla, for
nearly a year after his nomination
had been rejected by the senate. In
this particular case, the president
appears to be quite within his rights
The law provided that a postmaster
shall hold Office until his successor
shall have qualified. unless he be re-
moved by the president. The presi.
dent may take all the time he de-
sires in deciding whom to appoint
The senate cannot force his hand
in such circumstances.
Now. il is determined by the presi.
dent TO make a showing about federal
appointments with a view to demon.
strating that patronage has not been
used TO further the interests of any
candidate for the presidency. The
senate is awaiting the explosion. II
is standing solidly against any at
tempt to use the appointing power
to promote anybody's candidacy. Bo'
republicans and democrats in tht
! body are of one mind on that point
The result promises to be one of the
| liveliest skirmishes that yet has Oc
Cured between the president and tn,
senate, and. curiously enough. ,it
appearances indicate that the presi
dent will not have his usual supper
among HIS friends in the 'uppei
| house" That does not deter hin
from making the fight. however. and
as he evidently holds the upper hand
in the matter Of making appoint,
ments. the contest is likely to be Ions
and spirited.