Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-01-21

Al
the nomination of Charles Fairbanks to
be pension agent for New Hampshire
and Vermont, following so closely upon
the turning down of four ONO post.
masters, is taken here to indicate that
the fight sgainst plans OF the admins
trstion in which Senators have not been
consulted, has begun in earnest. Ex-
ecutiye sessions of the Senate will here
after assume a new interest for II Is
understood that oiher Senators besides
those from New Hampshire and Oalo
have similsr grievances about appoint
ments made in their States 10 the choice
of which they were ignored, and that
these will be aired. Besides smart
ing under the loss Of personal polit-
ical prestige involved in the turning
down of their recommendations, Sen
a,ors object TO the use OF the sppoint-
ing power of the administration to
build up q personal machine in be-
half Of one presidential candidate.
Many OF them are personally friendly
10 Secretary Taft. But they claim that
the action of the administration in ig-
uoring the old party organizations 10
several States can only produce discord
for the party, and lessen the chances of
victory at the polls. They also declare
that there is strong sentiment in the
country against the idea Of a President
trying 10 hand down his Office to favor
ed member Of his administration. Sem
sstional political developments are there
fore anticipated aud the extent Of the
opposition Of the old line Senators to the
President is likely to be revealed. 10
the meantime, the Senators are lending
sll their influence to prevent instructed
delegations from being sent to the Chi
cago Convention, except in States where
there are "lavorite sons" in the race
for presidential nomination. And this,
of course, looks badly for Taft on its
face, and, certainly presages a remark
able fight ia the national convention.
Gen. J. Franklin Bell sets at rest, in
bis annual report as chief Of staff, made
today, all doubts as to the opinions the
army authorities entertain concerning
the anti-cauteen law. Irregular and
special reports" he says, "made up
from time to time, establish the fact
that the army, from the lowest rank up,
is practically unanimous in its desire to
have The canleen established. Even
many officers, who, on principle, are
opposed to the use of intoxicating
liquors, realize that such nse cannot be
prevented, and that the sale of beer at
post exchanges would be the lesser
evil"
There was DO meeting Of the Senate
finance committee today aud it is moi
expected that there will be any until
after Secretary COrtelyou has responded
to the resolution of the Senate calling
for a lot of information regarding the
recent operations of the Treasury De-
partment. That response Is expected
next Monday and 10 next meeting OF
the committee will probably occur oD
the following day. Whether il will
then be possible to report the A"iricb
financial bill to the Senate remains to
be seen. 1t is certain, however, thai
the delay that has already occurred IN
The Treasury Department in furnishing
the information asked by the Senate will
have the effect of considerably postpon-
ing the date at which it was originally
hoped that The bill might be sent over
to the House.
A remsrkaS lie political demonstration
took place 10 the House today when Mr..
Champ CLARK, took Republican Floor
Leader Payne to task for criticising the
course of The new Missouri members in
the House and for making the PREDICT
ton that Missouri would go republican
this fall. Clark said the democrats on
July 8 would nominate william j
Bryan for President and Missouri woulo
cast her vote for him. Hand clspping
and rebel yells g eeted the mention OF
the name of Bryan.
When it subsidized the republicans
broke out in applause.
"All right" said Clark. "There are
not ten men on that side who will stand
up and say who they want for President.
Representative Bowtell arose.
ooh, well, every one knows you are
for Speaker Cannon" volunteered Clark.
The Speaker at this moment was not in
he chair. but in his Office.
Eyes, and go further" agreed Bout
we'll. 'In June veil nominate Osn-
non, and ia November We will eject
him."
"Dout be dead certain of that" re-
tortel CLARK. "Will the administration
support your Uncle joel"
ROsrs of applause greeted the sallies
of the party champions. The member
ship was at high pitch of excitement.