The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-09-23
new PRESIDENTIAL
POLICY
PATRONAGE WITHHELD FROM IN.
suRGENTs WILL BE
RESTORED.
Secretary Norton Issues Letter Indicat-
ing Change Interpretation OF
the DocumentForthcoming from ON.
cial Sources Objection to Term "ln.
sureent"-President Always "Pro.
gressive."

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Always "Pro-
gressive."
Beverly, Mass, Sept. 17.-Beverly
was not little puzzled as to the exact
of the letter made public here
in which Secretary Charles d. Norton,
rejecting the views of President Taft,
that the policy of withhold
ing patronage from progressive" SEN
ators and representatives had been
abandoned and that it was the pur-
pose of the administration to treat all
Republicans alike. The letter was writ
ten to an unnamed political leader in
Iowa, an insurgent stamping ground.
No Interpretation of the document
could be obtained from official sources.
Tt was admitted that a variety of in
terpretations might be placed upon it
from the viewpoint of different politi-
cal observers, but it was insisted that
the letter was simply formal docu-
ment of policy that soon would have
been discovered in various appoint
ments of postmasters that are about
to be made in some of the progress
sive" states.
Taft Progressive.
The suggestion that the latter SEEM
ed to indicate turn toward the pro
sressives" on the part of President
Taft was met by a statement that
President Taft always has been "pro-
gressive" himself, and that his record
for progressive legislation during his
first year in Office has never been
equaled by any other Republican adj
ministratiOn.
1t was not admitted at the executive
Offices that recent progressive" sue
cess in states like Iowa. Kansas, Cali
fornia and Wisconsin had Influenced
the president. Neither was it admit
ted that results in these states were
at all displeasing to him.
Presidents Test.
Mr.. Taft declared last winter that
his test of real republicanism was sup
port of the party's national platform.
All the progressive states have an
nounced fealty to this platform and the
president is said to be more than will
ing to take the progressive leaders at
their word, and he assuredly will give
them an opportunity this winter to
carry some more of the platform
pledges into effect.
he oh, Mvs
Norton that the value of federal pa
tronage has been greatly overestimat-
ed, but taken for what it may be worth
he does not propose to let it stand any
longer as hindrance to party har-
lnOny.
Objects to insurgency.
Distinct objection lie raised at Bever-
ly these days to the terms "insurgent."
On the other hand there is DISPOSE
ton to point out many of Mr.. Taft's
utterances and acts of the past as evil
dence OF a real progressiveness on his
part.
1t is also pointed out the president
has had to work with the machinery
his party gave him. It is intimated
that in the speech he is to deliver be-
fore the national league of Republican
clubs in New York, in October, the
president may have something to say
of his own progressiveness. This does
not mean radicalism or rampant insur-
gency, it is pointed out, but recog-
milton OF the real progressive move
ment. Secretary Norton's letter fol-
lows:
Beverly, Mass, Sept. Is, 1910.
"Your letters of the 9Th are at hand
and have delayed replying until after
the primary elections. The president
directs me to express to you and your
friend his deep appreciation Of the
work which you have done and the
powerful assistance which you have ex-
tended to the administration from the
beginning an assistance that has con-
tributed much to the legislative and
other successes which have been Sc
cured.
''The president recognizes that your
efforts have been wholly disinterested;
that you have fought sturdily and gen.
erously for what you believed to be
his interest and the welfare and sue
cess Of the party.
Patronage Held Up.
While Republican legislation pend
ing in congress was opposed by Ger
tain Republicans, the president felt It
his duty to the party and to the coun-
try to withhold federal patronage from
certain senators and congressman
who seemed to be in opposition to the
administration efforts to carry out
the promises Of the party platform.
That attitude, however, ended with the
primary elections and nominating con-
MENTIONS which have now been held
and IN which the voters have had An
to declare themselves.
Peopie's Voice Heard.
"The people have spoken as the
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