New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-16
from The Tribune Bureau. J

washington. SUriI Id
DEMOCRATIC -FOUR rLUSHiNG' ~
Having heralded 10 the country their de-
termination TO save thousands OF dollars By
curtallment Of the patronage Of the
House and having failed thus far 70 make
good their promise. tho Democrats In the
House to-day decided on a wholesale in
vestigation cf the federal departments,
which they are convinced arc totbeds OF
extravaganza. IL not of graft Spare none
but Democrats" will be the motto Of TIC
House leaders in the proposed invostiga
tiCn. but they will doubtless he surprised
a: the number OF Democrats in good stand
Ing whom they will ind IN the departments
Under the Civil Service regulations no lues-
,icus are asked concerning the political
AFT. Citations OF an applicant for offfce and
there are bureaus Of the government where
a majority OF the clerks are OF the minor
itv party. There are still OF course. good
many offices which are not in che CLASSIFIED
service ard these ara customari'y died
with members ~ the psrty IN power. but
even here a surprising number Of Demo-
Gratis Will be found. for II was the custom
OF President Roosevelt 70 appoint Demo
Gratis when he found them peculiarly wen
qualified for the Office to be filed. ana
/ 10 named many members of that party
recommended b. Democratic members OF
I Congress who aided the reforms the
President had in view. Nor has n been
the custom, Of President Taft 40 displace
men because - their political affiliations
90 that practically all the Democrats VINO
Rave been appointed in the last ten years
are still in office With regard 70 simplin-
cation Of the work Of the government there
is doubtless room for improvement Many
employees ara not performing their Gun snare
Of work. chiefly because they have grown
old in the service and their chiefs nave
not had the heart 70 dismiss for mat rsa-
son. But even among these MANY Demo
Gratis are 10 be found. and any general rule
which would rid the federal service ~ sn-
porannuated employees would nil so mary
Democrats that IL is not probable that me
leaders OF that party would recommend
one unless. Of course they were sure "
would not be adopted.
THE PATRONAGE FIASCo The Demo
cratic leaders announced with grea'
/ flourish Of tr,Impets that tkev would cu'
/ OF salaries OF House employees 10 the ex-
tent OF $4,000. would forbid psyn.nt 70
! trsr1 Of thirteen months instead OF twelve
months salary as has Been the custom
which would saw. 80 90 rnor. and WOULD
forbid the employment OF various persons
in the rscessss Of Congress, whereby FUR
Their saving Of s25.0e) would be Effected
/ Il was intended that this should be done al
the caucus held last week, but so much
| imposition developed that the caucus con-
tantad itself merely With passing reso-
! luton instructnx the Cor-rnittse on Ac-
counts 70 arrange some such programme
/ OF course. II II still possible that con-
siderable saving may be effected but the
opposition is very strong. Members we're
Informed that they would each enjoy about
! s27c0 a year Of patronage before, but this
programrne would allow them nor 70 exceed
5000 a wear each with which 20 reward
J faithful constituents and henchnen. The
Senator'S constituents are crowding The
/ corridors If the Capitol. demanding some
/ thing worth while. and the members are
/ desperate AZ the prospect Of being unaeIA
! 70 reward them. The Committee on Acs
! counts has not vet acted, and meanwhile
the Republican employees are holding the
/ Offices and drawing the ray. What the
/ outcome will he is not known, but II is
| doubtful II the Democrats will have the
/ courage TO deprive themselves OF 80 large
| a measure of patronage as advertised.