The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-18

the administration recognize the rec
concentrations of Mr.. Scott, and the
postmaster general. In the cases of
Hogue, Waring and Dare, like that of
Postmaster Hill at Lawrence, the de-
partment has recommended their re-
tentiofT in office for the good of the
| service, based upon their excellent
records.
The question to be settled by Presi-
dent Taft and his postmaster general
is "WiIl the postoffice be conducted IN
| the future as a business institution or
be made the dumping grounds for poll
ticians? ?"
Both the Roosevelt and Taft admin
istrations. have laid a great deal of
stress on the fact that the postoffice
had been taken out of politics. 1t now
remains to be seen what will occur IN
the four Kansas cases.
Upon the recommendation of Con-
gresham Anthony Leavenworth is 20
have a new postmaster. The president
has nominated w. I. BiddIe to succeed
lard, whose term expires February 20.
Mr.. BiddIe was Mr.. Anthony's cam
paign manager.
A Statement From Curtis.
Senator Curtis has authorized the
following statement:
A year ago last December President
Taft requested Senators Curtis and
purpose of presenting names of the
persons they desired to be appointed
to the various Offices in Kansas that
were then about to be filled on account
of the expiration of the terms for
which the present incumbentS were
serving. These places were: United
States district attorney, held by H. j.
Bone; United States pension agent,
held by Wilder S. Metcalf; collector of
internal revenue, held by J. M. Simp-
f11of fil71o
were unable to agree who should be
appointed, and each was requested to
name the men they desired to be Sc
lected by the president. Senator Cur
ment had been requested by the at
torney general, for district attorney;
A. w. Smith for pension agent, and
Senator Fremont Leidy for collector of
internal revenue. Mr.. Bristow named
Judge Burnett for collector of inter
nal revenue; w. H. Higgins of Em-
poria for district attorney, and indi-
Gated that the appointment of either
one of two or three men would be sat
isfactory for the position of pension
agent, but gave no particular name
to the president at the time. A few
weeks later the president sent in the
name of Mr.. Bone for district attorney
to the senate. Mr.. BristoW at once
objected to confirmation on the
grounds that his appointment would
be personally offensive to him, there
being an old rule of the senate that if
a senator files such objection the COM
mittee will not give favorable consid-
Grafton to the appointment.
BY reason of this objection Mr..
Bone was not confirmed at the last
session of congress. but, being in Of
flee, of course he holds until his sue
cessor is appointed and qualified The
question as to whether or not his name
can be resent to the senate has not
been fully determined. but members
of the senate committee hold that it
must be as all nominations ended
with the session. Soon after congress
adjourned the president sent in the
name of A. w. Smith for, pension
agent, and Fremont Leidy for collec-
tor of internal revenue. These were
the names that had been suggested by
Senator Curtis, and the appointments
were made in vacation and these men
have taken possession of their offices.
Some days ago it was understood that
Senator BriStow presented to the pres
ident the name of Mr.. Harrison for
the position of United States marshal,
Mr.. Mackey's term having expired
early in January. The president noti-
fed Senators Curtis and Bristow to
call at his office in order to talk over
the patronage question. At this meet
ing the senators were unable to agree
as Mr.. Bristow insisted upon the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Harrison, and also
asked for one of the other three ap-
pointments. Mr.. Curtis insisted that
as the three appointments had already
been made and the men were in pos
session of the offices-having been
named by Mr.. Taft, that it would be
unfair to him and to them, as well, to
make any changes, and that the three
men named. Bone, Smith and Leidy
should be continued in office, and that
Senator Bristow should not be given
81 fr,%v ont &c
suggested that Mr. Mackey had made
an excellent officer, having a good rec
ord in the department of justice, and
in view of that fact there was no good
reason for his removal. The senators
having been unable to agree the presi-
dent notified each that he would give
the matter further consideration and
settle it later.
The above is full and complete
/ statement of the Kansas patronage