The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1910-09-16
PATRONAGE FOR
The INSURGENTS
President to Treat Republic
an Factions Alike.
NORTON GIVES OUT NEWS

Have Equal Voice in Federal Ap-
ointments-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 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-
quired 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
| toms 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
islatiye and other success which has
been secured. The president recog
nizes that your efforts have been
wholly disinterested; that you have
fought sturdily and generously 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 il
to be his duty to the party and to the
country to withdraw federal patron
gressmen, who seemed to be in oppo
sition to the administration efforts tx
carry out the promises of the party
platform. That attitude, however
ended with the primary elections anf
nominating conventions which have
now been held, and in which the vot
ers have had opportunity to declar'
themselves.
THE people have spoken as the par
ty faces the fall elections; the ques
tion must be settled by Republicans o
every shade of opinion, whether tn
differences of the last session shall b.
perpetuated or shall be forgotten.
Factions Should Get Together.
"He recognizes the danger that il
certain cases expressions of feeling
were so intense as to make it Difficult
in some instances for factions t.
! come together and work for the PAL
ty, but, as he stated in his letter t
the Republican congressional commit
: tee, he believes it can be done an
I should be done. The president /
confident that you will yourselve
: meet your local and state situation
in this spirit and that you will writ
to your friends and ask them to d
: likewise
"The president feels that the valu
l of federal patronage has been great
exaggerated and the refusal to gran
it has probably been more useful
r the men affected than the appointmer
would have been.
"In the preliminary skirmishes /
certain states, like Wisconsin an
Iowa and elsewhere, he was willing
/ in the interest of what the leader
i believed would lead to party success
J. to make certain determinations, bl
u the president has concluded that it
e his duty now to treat all Republica
D. congressmen and senators alike, wit
J. out any distinction. He will now fc
% low the usual rule In Republican co
II gressional districts and states ar
Is follow the recommendations made
e Republican congressman and Sc
le ators, of whatever shade of polite
. opinions, only requiring the me
le recommended shall be good men, Il
20 most competent and the best fitted Il
Z. the particular office"