New-York tribune., 1909-01-10
SENATE HASNEW POLICY
VIII Investigate Appointees to I'M
portant Offices. Depez0 Says.
(Fron The Tribune Bureau. ]

tFron The Tribune Bureaul
Washington Jan s.-senator Depew, when asked
regarding certain nominations of New York;
ers which have failed of confirmation announced
to-day that new policy had been adopted by the
Senate leaders in dealing with appointments of a
largely national character. The Senate purposes
men nominated for important Offices and will rest
content with neither the Presidents recommenda-
ton nor ths Endorsement OF the Senators from the
State of which the appointes is a citizen.
Presidents have differed materially in their
method of making appointments" said Mr. Depew
President Mckinley, for instance never appointed
a man from New York nor filled vacancy in my
state without hrst consulting the New York sena-
tors That his nvariabls policy, and In the one
instance where he deviated from it he sent for me-
explained the circumstances and apoiogized for his
In the OF his own state. Ohio how
ever. Mr.. Mckinley did not regard it always
necessary consult the Senators, and It is quite
possible that Mr. Taft will feel the same way about
his state.
President Roosevelt being the ablest and best
Informed politician in New York. has made many
appointments without consulting the Senators from
that state, but where Senators have been con-
suited. or where they have lister given their in
dorsement, the Senate may hold up appointments.
as II is doing in the case OF George s. Terry,
whom the President has nominated for Assistant
Treasurer Of the United States at New York, and in
the case of Samuel B. Donnelly whom the President
has nominated for Public Printer. The Senators
from New York have given their approval to the
Terry nomination, but the leaders have decided that
they wish to satisfy themselves OF his fitness. They
hold. and rightly that this is more than 8 stats
appointment; that the Assistant Treasurer handles
large q portion Of the federal funds and per-
forms such important duties that responsibility for
his fitness rests on moro than the two Senators
from New York. This same policy will apply to the
Collector of the Port the Surveyor Of the Port and
TO sn OF those great New York offices which really
national in their importance and functions and
IN which the whole country is interested You
member In Lincons time this officers were filled
from all parts OF the country and were not treated
as New York appointments.
''In the case OF DonnelIy, objected to his conhr-
nation when IL first came up. Then satisfied NY
self that he well qualified and withdrew my
objection But the Senate is deeply concerned in
the fitness of the for this difficult place. and
under the order, will delay his confirmation
pending further inquiry, and possibly until he has
had some opportunity TO demonstrate his fitness for
important Office. Under the old order these
would have been promptly confirmed the
Endorsement OF the Senators from New York, but
the leaders have merely to take larger view
Of their responsibilities.
In the case OF Terry I afraid the leaders
want the impossible They would like TO have q
man who big enough TO be Secretary of the
Treasury for that place But the position does not
carry salary, nor political or social influence,
extensive enough TO secure such a man
''Air. Watchorn's nomination was withdrawn by
the President pending the investigation Of charges
course, while he is making this investigation the
Senate has nothing to do with the case.
'T understand that Mr. Taft Will probably revert
to the Mckinley policy. but even then think the
Senate will proceed carefully about confirming
ina tons for the important offices. OF course
you understand that the Senates policy does not
apply purely local Offices, for instance. that of
postmaster at New York Albany any other
New York city, 10 q District Attorney for a
New York district
cit is equally true that this policy. although the
Senate leaders purpose to adhere TO 1t more closely,
is not strictly new, for there is the Judge
Humphrey, OF Alabama, nominated for district
Judge His nomination IS indorsed by both Sena-
tors from his state. who have been working hard
to secure its confirmation, and yet it has been held
up for two years the protests Of other Senators
in whose states Judge Humphrey would probably
be called '1nn to sit under the method of substitu
ton sometimes necessary"
There are of course, some cases where noElina-
tons being held up from less praisewortby mo-
tives than those outlined by Senator Depew. For
instance, Senato--elect Bradley, Of Kentucky, has
pettioned the Senate leaders to hold up all Ken
lucky appointments until he is sworn in Sena-
tor saying that the President has not consulted
him regarding his selections and that he expects
different treatment from President Taft. The Sem
ate is acceding to Mr.. Bradley's request.