The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-21
New Deal Certain in Appor-
tioning Federal Jobs in
the South.
CIVIL SERVICE
PLAN MAY RULE
PreSident-eleCt Promises Better
Scheme for Upbuilding Gov
ernment Service.
By JAMES EAY, Jr.

AUGUSTA. Ga. Jan. 2l.-PreslueEl-
elect Taft has decided TO discontinue in
bis Administration the referee system
OF distributing Federal patronage I'm
the South.
This step. in his efforts 40 spread
RepubHcauism i'm the South. has been
presaged by his speeches since ne came
TO Augusta, and now the men VINO have
talked TO him on the subject, say his
mind is fully made up.
The referee system has been cousd-
cred the root and cause OF all the rot
tenness ana Objectionable features ln
the Southern Republican party Under
its working. two or three men In each
State have constituted themselves a
committee to decide who should get the
Federal appointments in their States.
Owing 10 the political remOteness Of
the South the Government Al Wash
ington has been accustomed 10 take
these mems recommendations as con
elusive and to make the appointments
according 10 their recommendation.
Favoritism Shown.
Under this regime. the Federal on .ces
iU the. South have been manipulated lH
q manner which has not helped the
Republican party in any OF the States
Favoritism crept in and the seif-cuH-
sfituted committees dealt Oul the pork
as they sw ht
Their only guide it is charged was
their own sweet will. Iu numerous
cases. Objectionable persons have been
put into Office. and in the great ma
t0rfty Of cases the personal friends or
supporters or the committees have got
ten all the jobs.
The result was that the Republican
partv was considered a close corpora
ton for the exploitation Of small ring
of men who were thought TO be con
cerned only Iu serving their owr pJr-
poses.
Many Republicans refused 10 take an
active interest in politics, because a-
their belief that they cou'd not elevate
the standing Of the party while the
stuOrk combine was ascendant. Demo
Gratis could not think or going over 10
FeuubIicsnism, as the system in vogue
had discrediUed the Republicans. These
referees were usually the Republican
state chairman aud one or two OF his
Ueuteuauts. and until very recently the
only function OF Southern Republican
ism was 10 draw Government money-
What agency NTr. TAFT Will Use to
Z take the place oE the referees cannot
+ be stated al laie gime. 30 has been
/ suggested tHat the Civil Service or-
eauization be used as an investigator
. Of the standing and abilities Of men
Dut forward for Federal office. Another
+ suggestion Is that the independent clubs
which are 10 be- organized i'm this Sec
+ ton OF the countrv DE john Hays
Hammond be used 10 pick good men.
Appoint Best Men-
THE Fresideut-eIect is determined tc
. do everything in his power 10 appoint
the bes. men possible 80 Office in tne
/ South lie has made tEis promise h
several speeches in the Sout.. and after
each of them. Republicans and indie
nenleut Democrats have come 10 hin
with the statement
There Is only one way 10 hnd The
best men, That Is 10 abolish the referee
. system which has been ln vogue mere
or the soundncss Of tHis proposition
anyone familiar with conditions in the
. south can have not the sliEntas' .H3n.
The system ls Coudeun'. s. 3D.. -..'.
ing the party nn". 1...e. f.' .t...i-
that somern. 2 was radically wI"uz
and from "". mo 'I"-
lion that ... .ra u. lne ,.. ls .u ne
referee system.
n seems now mat The Civil Service
/ win bo the agency which viii suppaui
. the referees If Civil Service agents
could be ueaI to inquire into the char
ar-cr and ability Of the Wcu propose.
. for appointment 10 would ne assured
.. that aE least local prelude" and lucH
politics would na eliminated from the
proposition.
Will Make Good.
4 So universal has been .ae delight