Middletown transcript., 1908-02-01
WASHINGTON LETTER

4
d WASHINGTON, D. c., January 25th, 1908.
THEannouncement by Governor Hughe
of his candidacy for the Presidenc,
was calmly received in administration
and Congressional circles, as it has beer
known in Washington for months thai
he was factor in the equation to be deal
with. His promised speech on January
3lst, is, however, awaited with the keen.
est interest, for, as to the principles upon
which he stands and is willing to stand,
and must not deal in glittering generali-
ties Not single Senator and but few
Representatives would consent to be
quoted when asked for an opinion about
this announcement, all preferring to
await the speech promised for January
| 9ist, before expressing any opinion re-.
gaFding Hughes candidacy.
~
The sensation.of the hour in Washing.
ton is the letter to Representative Par
sons OF New York State, from Secretary
Taft in which he impresses upon his
friends the duty of not dividing State dele
cations where the State has its own can
didate. This letter is in ACCORD with the
general policy oi the Secretary 'smanagers
not to invade the territory OF favorite
sons, and in political circles the belief
obtains that it was inspired by desire to
prevent the development Of a condition
of affairs in New York State that might
have endangered the success Of the
national ticket in November, Friends OF
Secretary Taft declare this letter will, to
very large extent, put stop to the re-
ports that the President, inspired by his
interest in the Taft candidacy, is seeking
to suppress free expression of opinion
by party leaders in New York apd other
STATES,
Tie charges Of some Republican Sena-
tors and others that President Roosevelt
and number OF the heads OF executive
departments are using Federal patronage
as means of getting Taft delegates in the
Republican national convention, has
greatly incensed the President. On
Thursday of this week he asked bis Cabi-
net officers to prepare list of all the ap-
pointments coming under their respective
Jurisdiction which have been transmitted |
to the Senate for confirmation since the |
beginning Of the present session Of Con-
gress, and the expectation is that he will |
prepare complete list Of these nomina- |
tions, and then make public statement
designed to refute the alienation that |
there has been prostitution OF patronage
for political purposes" For several weeks |
certain Senators and Representatives have /
been alleging that Federal patronage has
been used in the interest Of Secretary
Taft, Some of the lawmakers at the
Capitol who are affiliated with other can
dldates for the Presidency have gone to
the extent Of claiming that Federal offic-
ials in Washington and in other cities
have been drafted into the service OF the
administration. These repeated asser-
tions that he has been msusing bis ap-
pointiye power have finally convinced the
President of the advisabiIity of some ac-
ton in the matter and the expectation is
that the specific instances Of alleged fav-
orilism by the administration will be
treated in statement soon to be made
public at the White House.
#x*
Several weeks ago the House OF Repre-
sentatives passed resolution requesting
the Secretary OF the Navy to send to the
House all the papers, documents and cor
reepondence on file in the Navy Depart
ment relating to the controversy growing
out OF the assignment OF staff officer to
command naval vessel, and pursuant to
that resolution the full record of the
events leading up to the resignation OF
Rear Admiral Brownson, former Chief OF
the Bureau of Navigation has been dis
closed. The case is to be fully aired in
Congress, much to the relief of the many
friends OF that gallant officer who feel
that the treatment recently accorded him
at the hands Of the Chief Executive was
but fair.
*.*
After having considered almost every
important question affecting the CONNER
cial progress Of the country, the National
Board OF Trade concluded its thirty eighth ,
annual meeting in Washington this week.
A campaign Of publicity will be started
BY which the boards intends to dissent
nate literature bearing on forestry, irriga-
tion and improved waterways among the
leading commercial organizations of the
country. The recommendations of the
Postmaster General regarding a postal
savings bank were indorsed by the board,