Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-04
insurgents to Be Deprived of
All Federal Patronage.
HITCHCOCK'S STATEMENT
Asked Not to Appoint Postmasters
at Their Behest.
CANNON Is GLAD OF I.
Would Rather See Democrats APP
pointed Than Progressives Sup
ported-House May Take It UP.

1t was learned today upon unquestioned
authority that the republican organiza-
ton in the House has directly appealed
to President Taft to withhold patronage
from the insurgent republicans that the
insurgents may be beaten into line and
forced to cooperate with Speaker Can
non and the regular organization. at
least throughout the life Of the present
Congress. The President has taken this
proposal under consideration. Pending a
determination as to the attitude of the
administration, the insurgents have been
informed that their recommendations for
the appointment of postmasters will not
be acted upon
There have been reports here for the
past few weeks that the administra-
ton intended to support the House
orga IMITATION. and that in all matters of
patronage, notably post Office appoint
ments. those republicans who were not
listed as regular" would be ignored
1t did not become known until today
that this information had been directly
conveyed to a number of the insur-
gents by Postmaster General Hitchcock
who was forced to show his hand py
angry insurgents who protested against
the delay in acting upon recommended
tons that they had made and insisted
upon being appraised of the reasons
for such delay.
This is the story. in substance, that
the postmaster general told the insur-
gents who interviewed him on the
subject:
Pressure to Bear.
Mr.. Cannon and his friends have
brought the strongest kind of pressure to
bear to the end that the insurgents shall
be ignored in matters of patronage.
In the meantime" said the Postmas-
ter General to one of the insurgents, II
am sorry to say that no action can be
taken on your recommendations
That the insurgent republicans are in
an ugly frame of mind over this discov-
cry is expressing it mildly.
The matter will be undoubtedly aired
on the floor of the House, and a strong
the President against course that may
lead to an infringement of a right that
members of the House have exercised
from time immemorial, namely, the right
to name postmasters in their districts
Case of Mr.. Miller.
Representative Miller of Duluth is one
of the insurgents who it is reported, was
informed that for the present at least
his recommendations in post Office cases
would not be acted upon
Mr.. Miller called at the Post Office De-
partment yesterday and had a long con-
ference vt, Postmaster General Hitch
cock. n. Miller represents the eighth
Minnesota district. There are a number
of vacancies in misunderstanding there. in
Guiding two or three where changes
should be made owing to irregularities
Of incumbents. Even in such cases. 1t is
said. Representative Miller could not in
duce the Postmaster General to act.
1t is understood that the insurgents are
being made aware of the antagonism Of
the House organization in another and
even more serious way. The claim is
made by several of the leading insurgents
that the congressional campaign commit
tee is working against them and spending
money in their districts in the hope Of
either defeating them for the nomination
next fall and securing the election OF
tracta BILE men to the House or else OF de-
featng them and securing the election OF
their democratic opponents.
Speakers Alleged Statement.
One of the insurgents says that Speaker
Cannon recently made the emphatic state
ment that he hoped the men who had
bolted the organization would be defeated
and democrats returned in their places
y would rather see democrats i'm Con-
gress than men like Norris of Nebrask
and Cooper of Wisconsin, Speaker Can
non is reported to have declared.
Altogether, the situation in the House.
while peaceful enough on the surface, is