The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1910-09-16

"Progressives" and "ReguIars" Will
Have Equal Voice in Federal Ap.
ntments-change of Attitude Due
to Result of Recent Primaries,
Beverly, Mass, Sept. 16.-No differ.
ence between so called "progressives"
and "regulars" will be recognized by
President Taft hereafter, but all party
leaders will be treated alike as Re-
publicans in the matter of federal
support.
The presidents views to this effect
are given in a letter from Secretary
Norton to Republican leader of Iowa,
whose name is not disclosed.
In the letter Secretary Norton stated
that while important Republican legis.
lation pending in congress was op.
posed by certain Republican leaders
the president felt that his duty re.
qulred him to withhold federal patron
age from senators and representatives
who seemed to occupy a position hos
tile to efforts to fulfill the pledges of
the party platform.
That attitude on the part of the
president ended, however, with the
more recent primary elections and
nominating conventions in which the
people have declared themselves and
the president now looks upon "pro.
gressives'' and regulars" alike as Re.
publicans, and as such entitled to his
support and the support of the party,
and the fall elections, Secretary Nor
tons letter says, must settle the Ques-
tion whether the differences of the last
session of congress shall be perpet.
uated or forgotten.
The letter of Secretary Norton, in
full, follows:
Primaries Change Taft's Mind.
"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 to
your friends his deep appreciation of
the work which you have done and
the powerful assistance which you
have extended to the administration
from the beginning-an assistance
that has contributed much to the leg
islative and other success which has
been secured. The president recog-
niZes that your efforts have been
wholly disinterested; that you have
fought sturdily and generouslN for
what you believe to be his interest and
the welfare of the party.
"While Republican legislation pend.
ing in congress was opposed by Ger.
tain Republicans the president felt it
to be his duty to the party and to the
country to withdraw federal patron.
age from certain senators and con-
gressmen, who seemed to be in oppo-
sition to the administrations efforts to
carry out the promises of the party
platform. That attitude, however,
ended with the primary elections and
nominating conventions which have
now been held, and in which the vot-
ers have had opportunity to declare
themselves.
'The people have spoken as the par
ty faces the fall elections; the ques.
tion must be settled by Republicans of
every shade of opinion, whether the
differences of the last session shall be
perpetuated or shall be forgotten.
Factions Should Get Together.
"He recognizes the danger that in
certain cases expressions of feeling
int0nco t0 oil n
in some instances for factions to
come together and work for the par
ty, but, as he stated in his letter to
the Republican congressional commit
tee, he believes it can be done and
should be done. The president is
confident that you will yourselves
meet your local and state situation
in this spirit and that you will write
to your friends and ask, them to do
likewise
"The president feels that the value
OF federal patronage has been greatly
exaggerated and the refusal to grant
it has probably been more useful to
the men affected than the appointment
would have been.
In the preliminary sktrmishes in
certain states, like Wisconsin and
Iowa and elsewhere, he was willing,
in the interest of what the leaders
believed would lead to party success,
to make certain determinations, but
the president has concluded that it is
his duty now to treat all Republican
congressman and senators alike, with
out any distinction. He will now fol-
low the usual rule in Republican con-
gressional districts and states and
follow the recommendations made by
Republican congressman and SEN
ators, of whatever shade of political
opinions, only requiring the men
recommended shall be good men. the
most competent and the best fitted for