The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-16
CAPITAL FoRESAw
CHANGE IN POLICY

terday OF President Tafts changed at
titude toward insurgent Senator's and
Representatives in the matter Of patron
age created profound interest here.
There nave been indications the past
week that such a change Of policy was
/ being evolved. The Senators who have
been deprived OF their patronage as n
matter Of political discipline, or who have
been heard to complain that their recon-
meadations were ignored. are La Toilette.
Of Wisconsin; Bristow. OF Kansas. and
Cummins and Dolliver. OF Iowa.
Senator Beverage had some difficulty
about postmasters and there was quite
furry at one time last spring because
Il was currently reported that President
Taft had asked ex-senator Hemenwav
and eX-Representative Watson TO sub
nit list Of postmasters in Indiana who
should he retained IN Office But this
was finally adjusted IN a way that salts
fed Senator Beverldge A vacancy oc-
cured in the Office OF Deputy Auditor
OF the Post-ofice Department.
Abolished by Treasury.
An Indiana man shocked the country
by resignlng The Office has been held
by Indiana men since President McKin-
ley's first term. Senator Beveridt-e I'm
mediately recommended an Indiana Re
publican Tor the vacancy. After some
hesitation the Treasury Department an
nounced that the Office had been abol-
ished as a matter Of economy. there hav-
ing been two deputy auditors for the
Post-office Department. and IL was an
nounced that one could perform the
work.
Senator Beveridge's friends asserted
that the department abolished the office
rather than appoint the man he had rec
commended and thus give him the oppor-
tunity OF strengthening his candidacy for
reelection.
Senator Bristow's complaint against the
administration was uttered about the time
Congress adjourned. when he was not
permitted 10 name the postmaster for
his home city. Salina. Kans. His recon-
mendation OF a collector OF internal rev.
enue was also disregarded and his col
league. Senator Curtis, was allowed 20
name the man. Senator Bristow voiced
his indignation in an interview.
Senator La Folettes case was probably
the most conspicuous. BY an arrange
ment with his colleague, Senator stephen
son. which was made under the admin
istration OF President Roosevelt. who &C
quiesced in the plan. Mr.. Stephenson was
allowed TO recommend the Federal off,.
GERS in the Western judicial district OF
,efr
to make recommendations for the Eastern
district.
Senator StephensOn's men were nomi-
mated and confirmed and are now in Of
fee. Senator La Toilette made his rec
concentration nearly a year ago. and al
though the terms expired about that time
the men who were then the incumbents
are stu in Office. Furthermore, Senator
Stephenson felt encouraged TO recon-
mend men to MI the offices in the east
err district and within a few months he
has put on file q recommendation for
district attorney in the eastern district
and FOR a collector OF customs in Nil
waukee, in disregard of the arrangement
by which the patronage was % be Ovid
ed Senator Stephenson made his recon-
mendation with the understanding that
Senator La Toilette was to have no voice
in the distribution OF Wisconsin patron
age.
Slap at La Toilette.
The administration went even further
in the case OF la Toilette and turned
down the Senator's recommendation Of a
man for census supervisor in one Of the
Congressional districts Of Wisconsin in
face OF the fact that Mr.. La Toilette was
chairman Of the Census Committee Of
the Senate. and in a position to have
held I'D nominations OF census officers
which were referred TO his committee
for report. after being sent to the SEN
ate and before confirmation
The Senator from Wisconsin, how
ever, made no reprlsal, but reported the
nominations promptly. Immediately after
the Wisconsin primaries which renomi-
mated La Toilette the question OF
whether his recommendations for Fed
eral Offices were TO be respected in the
future, in view OF the apparent indorse-
ment he had received from the Republi-
cans Of his State. was put up to the
The matter was considered in Wash
ington and IN Beverly. and while no pub
lie announcement has yet been made
with respect to La Toilette individually.
his friends here have gained the impress
sion in some way that the President will
act favorably upon the Senator's recon-
in the future. provided the
men he suggests for Office are not per-
sonally Objectionable.
Senator Beverage submitted one or
two minor recommendations to govern |
ment departments few days ago. and