The Detroit times., 1910-09-15
TAFT AGREES TO RETURN
PATRONAGE TO INSURGENTS


certain cases that expressions OF feel
ing were 80 intense as to make IL diff
fcult in some instances for factions
to come together and work Loyalty for
the party, but as he stated In his let
ter to- the Republican congressional
committee. he believes II can be done
and should be done. The president Is
confident that you yourself will meet
the state and local situation in this
spirit. and that you will write to your
friends and ask them to do so like.
wise.
Will Treat All Alike.
THE president feels that the eff
feet of federal patronage has been
greatly exaggerated. and that the re-
fusal TO grant 1t has probably been
more useful to the men affected than
the appointment would have besv
In the preliminary skirmishes in GER
tain states, like Wisconsin and else
where, he was willing In the interests
of what the leaders believed would
lead to party success to make GER
tain determinations: but the president
has concluded that II Is his duty now
to treat all Republican congressman
and senators alike without any dis
tinction. He will now follow the usual
rule in the Republican congressional
districts and states and follow the
recommendations made by Republican
congressman and senators of whatever
shade of political opinion, only requir-
ing that the men recommended shall
be good men. the most competent and
best fitted for the particular Office.
Sincerely yours,
CHARLES ID. NORTON,
Secretary to the President"
To those who have viewed the grow
ing breach between the two factions
OF the party, President Taft's letter
today is regarded as a bid for leader
ship of the new Progressive Repub-
licanism." 1t Is a plan to re-unite the
party before the November elections,
thct gives promise Of a further revo-
lutionary progress. And to many Oh
servers, II is believed, to sound the
death knell of the istandpat" idea.
insurgents Happy.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 15.-Broad
smiles illumined the faces of the in
surgent element in political circles
here today, when the news was re-
ceived from Beverly that President
Taft has decided to allow insurgent
senators and representatives to have
their share of patronage.
They recalled those ominous days Of
last winter when one OF the worst
threats made by the regulars in their
efforts to get insurgents into line for
administration measures was they
would be deprived of the privilege OF
making appointments unless they
voted for Tho rpgular hills
This failed TO terrify large pro-
portion of the insurgents and the pen
atty was inflicted upon them. Some
senator's - notably LaFollette - were
not permitted TO appoint postmasters
i'm their home towns, one OF the most
ancient customs In political patron
age The insurgents were required 10
tell men who had worked hard for
their election and under the rules OF
politics were entitled TO the reward
that nothing could be done for them.
Among the regulars this was consid-
cred to be a master stroke, and they
felt confident that it would go far to-
ward putting the insurgents ont of
business. n wGs embarrassing In
number OF cases. but the insurgents
declined to permit the boycott to in
fiuence their action In legislation. Re-
cent returns from Wisconsin. Wash
ineton. Kansas. and other states, in
which the tide carried the insurgents
to victory was taken to indicate that
the matter Of patronage did not have
much influence on the people.
II is said that while the insurgents
will be pleased to cccept the oppor-
unity TO take care" Of some OF their
friends. there Is little prospect that
II will chance their attitude toward
questions arising In congress.
A score or more insurgents lost
their share OF federal patronage dur
ing the last session OF congress.
Senators LaFollette, Bristow and
Cummins we're among the most con-
spicuous of these. but there were
dozen or more representatives, who
at various times. fought in vein for
the privilege OF naming constituents
for government Jobs.