The Caucasian., 1909-07-04


New oceupation-CensuIa Appoint
ments and the Merit System.
washington, July 1.-tSpecial. Al
though the Taft cabinet is only few
months old cabinet smashers already
are at work. They have started the
report that Hon. James Wilson, secre-
tary of agriculture, has decided to re-
sign with the understanding that his
successor will take hold about the end
of the year. They have even picked
out his successor in the person of Rep
rescntative Scott of Kansas, chairman
of the house committee on agriculture.
1t is said that Farmer Wilson, having
served longer than any other cabinet
officer since the foundation OF the gov
ernment. is now willing to quit public
life on that record. 1t is no exaggera-
ton to say that no man ever served
In q cabinet who was more generally
popular with congressman of both
parties than is Mr. Wilson. He is
given credit also for having rendered
his country magnificent service. The
secretary is old in years, but not In
actions He's spry man yet. and
great many will believe that be has
resigned only when they get official
notice TO that effect.
From Debating to AutomobiIina.
Colonel Pete Hepburn. who was for
80 many years representative in con-
gress from Iowa. but who was boWled
out at the last election when Demo
crat was elected in his district, has
become an automobile enthusiast and
has fine touring car of his own. Al
though ne Is seventy-six years of age,
be is as active as most men many
years his junior. Probably no man
who served the same number of terms
in the house has engaged in more
rough and tumble debates than Colo
mel Hepburn. He has recently return
ed from an extensive automobile trip,
having visited the Gettysburg and An
tietam battieficldS and other historic
places In Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Allotment of Consular Appointments.
! The understanding Is that some time
In July a number of consular appoint
ments will be made from among the
list of men who have passed the ex
aminations held under the ''merit sys-
TEN" that President Roosevelt ordered
observed just after congress passed the
consular reform bill, us it was called.
Mr.. Roosevelt specially directed that
in making future appointments the
officials of the state department should
see that the favors were distributed so
that the states might be given their
just quota. \ number of senators and
representatives are complaining that
their constituents write them that fa~
voritism is being shown and that ap-
pointments are being made from states
which already have more people in the
consular service than they are entitled
to. The states which have the bulk of
the places are New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Illinois and INdiana. The Dis
trict of Columbia. however, which has
only little more than 100000 popula
ton, has nearly thirty places in this
service and quite number of the very
best paying ones. This District really
has more than all of the New England
states put together
Activity For Ship Subsidy.
The merchant marine league men,
bers are unusually active now They
gave big dinner here the other night,
to which many of the leading public
men were invited. 1t was a sort Of
conference regarding the outlook for
getting ship subsidy bill through
congress. Some of the advocates of
the policy even urge that efforts
should be made TO pass bill in the
extra session, but the indications are
that nothing will be done until next
winter. .r.
Stretch Franking Privilege.
Every now and then congressman
attempts to send something through
the mails under his frank that the law
does not permit to be sent free. al
though numerous articles Gun be ship
pea III this way without expense to
the statesmen. When they violate the
regulations the full postage is assess
ed, and in several instances members
OF the house have been required to
pay from 50 to S15 on typewriters.
The other day Senator TaIfaferro of
rlorlda presented each senator with
couple of pineappes grown in his
state. Senator Smith of South Caro-
ma thought it would be q nice thing
10 send his to Mrs. Smith, who was
at nome. but the postal authorities
discovered the brace of pineapples and
notlhed him that he would have to
1ork over a large number of stamps,
SO he did not send the luscious fruit
to his better half"
Hard on stenosraphers.
one Of the official stenographers Of
tne senate has collapsed and been COM
peled to put substitute in his place
"hlie he takes rest that is absolute
~ necessary. Two others also are-x
badly broken down On all avera4e
the senate steEographers have been
compelled 10 rpD0rt IsJI I0g ,s..,l Il. ,