The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-18
CORD is BROKEN.
President Has Fallen Out With
Insurgents.
Unable to Agree on Distribution
of Patronage.
TROUBLE IN SECOND.
Mitchell Refuses to Let Scott
Nominate POstmasterS.
Statement From Senator Curtis
About Patronage.
TROUBLE IN SECOND

Washington, Jan. 1S.-The diStribu-
ton of federal patronage this winter is
probably one of the most serious prob
lens confronting President Taft since
entering the White House. Last fall
some time before elections he publicly
announced his decision to recognize the
Republican insurgents in all appoint
ment matters on the same basis with
the regulars, giving the former equae
consideration with the latter. This plan
has not met with popular approval
among the regulars, who insist upon pri-
ority obligations due from the White
House. On the other hand, the inSur-
gents early this winter served notice
on the president that his judicial and
other appointments must be made with
their full approval or no aid from their
quarter could be expected by him in
the way of putting through his legisla
tive program this winter or support for
his denomination in 1912.
The president has made all his ju
dicial appointments without regard to
politics, and made them to the general
satisfaction and approval of country,
but not to the satisfaction of the in
surgent wing of the party. The last
straw was broken between the White
House and the insurgents when the
president named Walter l. Smith of
Iowa, one of staunchest regulars in the
Eighth circuit, to succeed Judge Van
Devanter, who was recently promoted
to the bench of United States supreme
court. Judge Madison of Kansas, as
envoy of insurgents of the house and
senate only few days previous re-
minded President Taft of certain prom
ises made regarding the recognition of
insurgents in all important patronage
questions. He told the president that
the insurgents wanted Congressman
ATzr-
gent. appointed to this court vacancy.
But, as it is seen. the president did not
heed the demands of reform wing of
party in this instance, as we'll as in
others. The result is, that the insur-
gents in both house and senate are
more obdurate than ever before. They
have killed more Taft's program of leg
islation for this session. This is so far
true that it need not prove surprising
to anybody if it develops that the ad-
ministration has got the last big legis-
lation it will get .efore the end of Pres
ident Taft's present term.
No Curtis Bristow Truce.
As an example of what the insur-
gents of various states are doing as in
dicated in the one instance of the posi-
ton taken by Senator Bristow of Kan
sas. The warfare between Mr. Bristow
and Senator Curtis over the distribution
of the four big federal appointments,
in the sunf1ower state still remains in
the balance as they did a few weeks
ago. in fact the same as they have
since Bristow's entrance into the SEN
ate. No one can forecast or predict
the outcome. of the trying position on
which the president is placed in this
particular instance. But this is not all.
Recent developments show that Mr..
Bristow proposes to take an active hand
in the naming of Kansas postmasters.
He is insisting that the recommends
tions of insurgent Kansas Republican
congressman shall be recognized from
now on. Not after they are sworn to
office March 4, but at once This effort
WILL undoubtedly tend to further COM
plicate the federal patronage question
in Kansas. The first case to come into
controversy is that of appointing a new
postmaster at Lawrence. The term of
the present incumbent Irving Hill, ex-
pires on February 16. Postmaster He'll
has held Office one term, four years, has
a first-class record, and is endorsed by
both the postoffee department and Con-
gresham Charles F. Scott for reap
pointment. Congressman-elect Mitch
ell, insurgent, who will succeed Mr.
Scott on March 4, has requested Sena-
tor Bristow to hold up all postma ster
nominations for his district until after
he is sworn in, so that he, Mitchell
may dictate the appointments himself
In the case of the Lawrence office, Mr.
Mitchell desires to appoint Charles s.
Finch, editor of the Daily Gazette,
postmaster, In the place of Hill. Ac-
cording to all presidents in the post
office department, the outgoing Repub-
lican congressman has been given the
privilege of recommending postmas ter
appointments up until the last day of
his own term.
There are three other presidential
postoffices in the Second Kansas dis
trict in which the incumbents' terms
will expire before March 4. These are
Thomas L. Hogue, at Olathe; Newman
Warning at Ottawa. and Thomas Dare.
at Gardner. The latter has just been
nominated for reappointment.
What Will Taft Do.
Now the question is, will Congress
man elect Mitchell, backed by the pow
er of Senator Bristo~. name the sue
cessors to these postmasters. or will