The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-24
is NOT FAR OFF.
Kansas Federal Appointments
Expected This Week.
Question Is Whether Curtis
Will Control All.
METCALF MAY HOLD.
RumOr That Pension Agent May
Be ReappOinted.
No Recommendation Made for
the MarshalShip.

ment of the four big federal jobs for
Kansas are confidently expected to be
settled on and announced by President
Taft some time this week, according
to the statement of Senator Curtis
Although some of these appoint
nlents fell due a month or more ago,
there has been no effort in any quarter
to hasten the selections. At no time
have either of the Kansas senators
indicated their Willingness to agree
with each ether on any one of the
appointments. so it was decided to file
their separate recommendations ac-
cordingly.
During thu latter part of December,
Senator Curtis asked President Taft
TO appoint Harr. J. Bone as United
States district attorney for Kansas, A.
w. Smith # Mcpherson as pension
agent at Topeka, and State Senator
Fremont Leidy of Butler county col
lector of internal revenues.
Senator Bristow has recommended
the appointment of w. L. Higgins of
Emporia for the atrCrneyship and
Judge Burnett of Caldwell for collec-
tor. No recommendation has as yet
been made by MI. Bristow for the
pension agercy position. He is seri-
ously opposed to the naming of A. w.
Smith as agent and rather than pre-
sent candidate will urge, it is under
stood. the reappointment of Colonel
Wilder 5. Metcalf.
Senator Bristow wa; asked by the
State Journal if it was his intention
to recommend new man for the PEN
sion agency. He replied that he didn't
know whether he would or not His
attitude in this appointment is taken
by many to Indicate that he will insist
upon Metcalfs retention. To this pro-
gram Senator Curtis will agree only in
case that President Taft insists upon
keeping the spanish war veteran in the
office for another term. Otherwise,
Curtis expects Smith to be named.
There has been no recommendation
made by either senator for the mar
shalship appointment, which office
will not become vacant until some time
next December. While this appoint
ment will be decided upon soon, that
is, as to which of the senators will
control it, the name of the successful
candidate will not be announced for
several months.
Curtis Wants All.
Senator Curtis is insisting upon the
president recognizing all four of his
candidates on the ground that he, as
well as the men he recommends, rep
resent the regulars in the Republican
party of the state. While President
Taft is doing all he possibly can to
harmonic the insurgent and regular
forces, it is generally admitted taht in
forces it is generally admitted that in
be compelled to recognize the regulars
for the sake of holding the Republican
organization intact; and this he will do
in every instance possible is the dec
laration of his closest friends.
Finding that it is impossible for him
to agree with Senator Bristow on a
division of the big Kansas appoint
ments. Senator Curtis now expects to
control all four of them. On the other
hand, Senator Bristow is equally in
sistent that he should, as a Republican
member of the senate, name two of the
jobs But his selections are far from
being satisfactory to the interests of
Mr.. Curtis, as they represent the I'M
regular or insurgent element of the
party in Kansas.
1t has been put up to the president
that he alone must decide the APP
pointments and be neld responsible.
The senators have tried manv times
to get together and have failed in
expect President Taft to recognize one
faction or the other. and take the re-
sponsibilty in his own hands.
The president is fully aware of the
fact that the appointments he makes
recommended by regulars in the SEN
ate are perfectly safe to pass muster
in committee and executive session. as
the insurgent forces are not strong
enough to defeat combinations. The
fact that Senator Curtis is not only a
regular, but one of the leaders of the
senate organization, makes success alb
solutely certain for all candidates he
recommends.
Would Agree. to SIetcaIf.
In the event that President Taft
would divide equally or in part the
Kansas patronage, it is a question as
to whether Curtis would oppose any
Bristow appointee for confirmation. 1t
is understood, however. that in case
the president should insist upon the
retention of Colonel Metcalf as pen
sion agent Curtis would in all proba-
bility give his assent.
When former Senator Chester l.
Long dropped in at the White House
to call upon President Taft a few days
ago rumor had it that Long was in
teresting himself in the Kansas APP
pointments. To the State Journal cor
respondent Mr.. Long emphatically de-
MED this, stating that he was now out
of politics, and did not even mention
the subject of appointments to the
president. He was there on other
business. he said. The former senator
stopped off in Washington for a day
or two On his way to New York City
on Legal business.
There are members of the Kansas
delegation in the house who express
belief that President Taft will decline
to sit as a judge in determining who
snail control the Kansas patronage.
They think there is strong likelihood
of the president insisting that the
house delegation be called in to settle
the controversy in each of the -four
appointments. a majority vote of the
delegation of both senators and all
representatives to settle each selection
To such a plan the Kansas sena-
tors are strongly opposed. because, as
they say. the appointments are purely
senatorial patronage and their own
affairs While this was President
Roosevelt's custom to settle patronage
disputes in states. it has not as yet
been the plan adopted by President
Taft And it won't be. many think.
Congressman Dan r. Anthony has
introduced a bill in the house provid-
ing that carriers in the rural free de-
livery service shall be paid an allow
ance of 800 for horse maintenance
per annum- in addition to the COM
pensation now provided by law