The Washington herald., 1909-01-22

Augusta. Ca, Jan 1--That President
elect Taft has decided 20 abolish The
referee system for the distribution Of
Federal patronage in the South is the
reliable report here to-day among his
friends
This means that in his endeavor 10
strengthen the Republican party south
of the Mason and Dixon line he has come
face 10 face with the proposition that he
must thoroughly revoluuonize the pOliti-
cal conditions which have prevailed in
the party in this section for the last
forty years
Under the referee system. two or three
men have dictated the personnel Of the
Federal OficehOlders in each Southern
state The South has been politically so
remote from the National Capital, and
there has been such widespread alb
senee OF real political activity in this
section. that the various administrations
have considered II necessary 10 accept the
pronunciamenJo OF these self-consdtuted
referees who were usually themselves oc-
cupants Of Federal positions
The result was inevitable The ref
erees used their power for their own ends
rewarding with a promise their friends
and supporters. So grossly has the Fed
eral patronage been mishandled in some
Of the States that the resultant conditions
have made It impossible for the Repub-
lican party 20 grow OF command cousid-
Grafton al the hands Of the people.
Old Regime Must Go.
Now, the friends OF Mr.. Taft say, this
old regime. which has been blamed for
the inehectIveness Of the party in the
South. is 70 be done away with. and in
its place a new agency employed for
deciding who shall and who shall not
get a place al the pie counter Several
plans have been suggested and discussed.
One IS that agents Of the Civil Service
could be used 10 pass on the fitness OF
applicants tn regard 10 their ability and
their standing in the community. An
other Is that good work OF this kind
could be done by the Independent clubs
which are 10 be organized throughout the
South under the management Of John
HAS Hammond. president Of the Ma
tionaI League Of Republican Clubs.
Sun a third idea is that the clubs and
the Civil Service agents should cooperate
IN selecting and recommending 70 the
next President the men best ftted for
the positions under consideration This
would be undertaken with the clear IN
derstsndinE that If fl Republican
could not be found, a Democrat should
get the job.
Talk Over Situation.
TIE general Southern situation vas
talked over at length to-day in confer
ences between Mr.. Taft and Clarke Grier.
president OF the Taft Club Of Dublin. Ca.
Col. George ". Cunningham. independent
Democrat. Of Cunningham. y. c. and
John a Stewart, president Of the New
York League Of Republican Clubs.
With Unanimity that must have been
convincing. Mr.. Taft has been told BY
Independent Democrats and high-class
Republicans that the referee system
should be abolished. and that a new plan
for selecting oficehOlders must be made.
From the referees themselves came pro-
tests long and loud. They were sure
that. with their ruin. would come the
eternal and everlasting fail Of Republican,
ism in the South. They. and they alone.
were the captains tried and true VINO
would lead on the increasing hosts to
victory Some Of them came 10 Augusta
in person when the rumOr Of the i'm
pending decision Went abroad. and the
letters sent in by others would move a
cigar store Indian to unrestrained tears.
Is a Drastic Reform.
SeEe one put up the argument that il
would be useless TO try to elevate the
personnel OF the Cfficehofdare baos,,sa 81,
best citizens" would not accept the Of
hces, so contaminated had these places
become from long misuse II was pointed
out, however. that not many seemed to
be in the business Of side-steppinq GOV
ernment money, and this objecting arg,;-
ment was removed.
John Hays Hammond registered here
this evening and tomorrow will talk over
with Taft the details Of the work of es-
tablishing independent clubs in the South
ern cities and towns. TINS movement 4
on in earnest and is considered by Mr.
Taft's advisors as the coroIlary OF the de-
cisio1 to DO away with the referees. The
End of referees is q drastic reform and
almost a spectacular revolution. II means
that the political management OF the
South is to be altered and reha affiliated
Timothy l. Woodruff. who Is here on
J visit. had a conference with Mr.. Taft
his afternoon. As chairman Of the H.
publican State committee Of New York.
be was asked by Mr. Taft 70 discuss with
rim the general situation in that State