West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-12-24
OUR WASHINGTON letter
Interesting RVsnts and Episodes Of
Political Situation.
COHGRESSMBN FEAR An EXPLOSION
Next Census WIN Cost the 9evern.
ment Niliions--Iesperateiy Hsn.
Erv for Patronage.
From Our Rssulsr Correspondent.

From Our Regular Correspondent.
WAsHISoroN, Dec. 22.-The political
situation during the past week has been
rplctc with interesting events and cpl.
sodcs. The Panama canal deal has been
the subject OF unfounded charges against
the government and those nearly related
To the prcsidcnt, and of indignant and
vindictive countcrchargos coming direct
from the president i'm the shape of mes.
sage 10 congress and containing threats
of libel suits against the chief offender,
the editor of the New York World.
Congress il writhing under the stinging
lash of the president charging IL with an
effort 10 choke off or scotch detective &C.
tivity with regard To its members. Some
members Of congress dixie some Of the
rest of us) would not care TO have too
strong IA scarchlight turned on NIL their
outgoings and incomings. The president
knows who some Of them are and hc IL
waiting with some impaticnce for the
national Legislature To rise in It's holy
wrath and rcpudiate the insinustion.
Congress, or at least some congress-
men, will not play with fire for fear Of
an explosion. The president is merciless
in his exposure and his denunciation, and
what they have done in the closet he In
capable of proclaiming from the house
tops of their constituencies in a way that
all men and their wives will hear and
believe him. II il little short Of shame.
less how some members and senator's
make the United States treasury pay
their election expenses and even bribe
their constituents. The common remark,
They all do it," renders IL not one
whit more respectable or less dishonest.
There are navy yards on the New Eng
land coast and on other coasts that are
supported by the United States for no
other reason than that senator or mem.
ber OF congress has use for them TO sus-
tain his political fortunes by keeping him
in congress. These navy yards are too
small for modern warship construction,
therefore useless ships are appropriated
for and hundreds of men are employed
and millions of dollars are paid In wages
(wastcd) 10 the friends and political
henchmen of certain senator's and mem
bers
The lower mouse of congress has just
passed bill for the next census with a
provision that the clerks are 10 be &C.
lccted independent OF the civil service
competitive examinations. Every MEM
bcr OF congress knows that this In not in
the interest of economy or efficiency.
Wright and Porter, two capable mperin-
tcndcnts OF the census, are on record as
reRretting that the service under them
was not included in the classified civil
service examination list. Wright, es-
pccially, believed the cost of the last
census had been increased 20 the extent
of two millions Of dollars by the neglect
Of the application Of the civil service to
the selection Of clerks.
The motives Of congressman in relicv-
ing the census appointments from the
necessity OF competitive examination are
open 10 every one. They are seeking APP
pointments for their political supporters
or their relativcs--their Sons, their wives,
cousins, aunts, and mothers-in-law--wh
are constantly after them for some place
at the public crib. They cannot fight
publicly against the civil service law.
With the country at large IL IL too popu-
lar. II has redeemed service that was
scarcely less rotten than that Of Russia
or China. But they are desperately hun
cry for patronage. Ia putting the large
body Of fourth-class postmssters under
civil service protection these congressman
have beef, led Of much influence and
they are trying TO recoup themselves
through the census Office and at the ex-
pensc Of the country at large.
Some few members Of congress are in
dependent Of patronage. All Of them
should be. To well informed, cnlight.
ened statesmen patronage is a curse. IL
cures him that gives and him that re.
N'Af'"f Ah' HNiHph NttD XVI tit OiIltt
il an migrate and the twenty who fail 10
get It become enemies. But the average
congressman is not an enlightened states.
man he Is q small politician.
There Is still time for the senate 20
amend the house bill by inserting a
clause insisting on competitive eKamina-
tion for the census office appointments.
Without such examination thousands Of
incompetent persons will be appointed.
Moreover, many more persons than are
needed will get offices and the cot Of the
census will be- greatly increased by poll.
ticians insisting on having their friends
taken care Of. The public good demsp1s
that the thousands Of persons 10 be EN-
ploycd in taking and publishing the next
census should he appointed for efficiency
and independently Of political poll.
The senate has an opportunity 30 fur
ther establish itself in the confidence Of
the country by insisting on amending the
bill 80 that the census Office, like the
other Offices Of the government, shall be
filed with clerks chosen for their eff
cheney and not because they need places,
but because the government needs a
clerical force chosen on the principle Of
tho survival Of the fittest.