The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-02
MIR. BRIsToW AND MIR. BONE.

MIR. BRISTOW AND MIR. BONE.
One of the decidedly interesting ques-
tons in the public and political arena
of Kansas just now is as to whether
or not Senator Joseph L. Bristow will
permit his purely personal antagonism
to deny Harry J. Bone a full second
term as United States district attorney
for this jurisdiction. Under the "sena-
torial courtesy precedent that prevails
in the upper branch of congress, a
presidential appointment is seldom con-
firmed if it is Objectionable in any way
to either of the senators from the state
where the appointee halls or where is
located the federal office to which he is
named And because of this rather
ridiculous unwritten rule of the senate,
Mr.. Bristow has been able for the last
year or so to prevent the confirmation
of Mr.. Bones appointment for the sec
ond term that he SO richly deserves.
Mr.. Bone holds the Office now, but
merely by virtue of the fact that no
body else has been named for the place.
and if Mr.. Bristow continues his oppo-
sition to giving Mr.. Bone complete
second term, the 1atter's tenure in the
place will end whenever the next presi-
dent sees fit to name a successor
If Mr.. Bone had proved inefficient in
any way in the discharge of the multi
farious and important duties of the Of
fee he is in, there might be some
reasonable excuse for the opposition to
his reappointment that has been given
by Senator Bristow. Such is not the
case Mr.. Bone was appointed to this
place in the first instance by former
President Roosevelt. He made good
from the start and his record is indeed
an enviable one So worth while has
it been, in fact, that Attorney General
Wickersham has expressed the opinion
that Mr.. Bone is among the most capa-
BILE and successful of the United States
district attorneys throughout the entire
country. And Mr. Wickersham's con-
fidence in the abilities of Mr.. Bone has
been shown time and time again when
he assigned him to take charge of or
assist in the prosecution of important
government suits in localities outside
Kansas Mr. Bones reappointment by
President Taft was a natural conse-
ouence and a reward for faithful
service
There is a we'll founded belief that
Senator Bristow's opposition to Mr..
Bone is due almost solely to personal
luminosity. Certainly it cannot rest on
any deficiencies in Mr.. Bones record in
office. which is as clean and competent
as one we'll could be. And therefore the
attitude of Mr. Bristow is unreasonab bic
and is doing a grave injustice to Mr..
Bone. for the rule is that federal Of
ro 1ad m r
least two full terms provided their
party keeps in power long enough TO
make a reappointment possible.
Incidentally. and from the political
standpoint, if Mr.. Bristow continues his
opposition to the confirmation of Mr..
Bones appointment for second term,
he will be treating the Republicans of
Kansas in a shabby fashion. They
elected him to office. and he is really
under moral obligations to advance
their interests, although he has seen f1t
on occasions to oppose certain Republic
can policies and candidates. With the
advent of the Democrats in power In
federal and also state affairs. there VIII
naturally be big turning-out of Re-
publican office holders. The terms of
most of the federal offices cover prac-
tically the identical period OF a presi
Dental incumbency. So the bulk Of the
Republican federal office holders will be
in order for slaughter as soon as Gov.
Wilson gets around to it after he be-
comes president on March 4. next. Such
doesn't happen to be the case with the
office Mr.. Bone is holding. Its natural
term laps over two years and more
Iof re RTiStOW n,
therefore, save this much important
patronage for the Kansas Republicans
if he accords Mr.. Bone the treatment
that is due him. But the actual in
Justice that will be done to Mr.. Bone
if Mr.. Bristow proves adamant, is the
paramount consideration involved.