Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-19
HOW WILSON WILL DEAL WITH
FEDERAL PATRONAGE IN GEORGIA
IN THE EVENT OF HIS ELECTION
Rxl RALPH SMITH.

WASHINGTON, d. c., July 17.-For
the first time in 20 years Democrats of
congress are beginning to feel the re-
sponsibility and embarrassment attend
ant upon the disposal of federal patron
age. This is especially true of south
ern members and applies to the Georgia
statesmen. The people of the south evil
IDENTIFY believe that Woodrow Wilson
will be elected and would-be postmas-
tiers have sprung up by the score in
every city and hamlet in the south.
Democrats have been deluged with APP
plications and they are IN qUandary.
All Of them must be renominated and
reelected and they fear to anger any
of their constituents. Yet, under the
law, none of them can promise any Of
fee to any person.
Not since Cleveland's last election
have the Democrats had a chance to
get any federal patronage. Old-timers
in Washington recall the invasion Of
the city by officeseekers at that time.
Wilson's election will mean repetition
of this.
IN GEORGIA.
1t may be reliably stated that in the
event of Wilson's election the Georgia
senators and congressman will follow
the long established custom in the dis
posal of the patronage. President VIII
son will, of course, look to the Georgia
members for advice in filing the federal
offices of state. The senators will de-
fer to the congressman in the matter
of all postoffice appointments except
those in their immediate homes. The
senators win also claim as their own
the offices OF revenue collector, United
States marshal and the postmasters of
their home cities, thus Senator Bacon
will control the postoffice at Macon, the
collector of the port at Savannah and
the United States marshal for the
southern districts. Senator Smith will
control the Atlanta postoffice. which is
the highest salaried and most desirable
appointment in the state, the internal
revenue collector for Georgia and the
United States marshal for the northern
district of the state.
The senators are content that the
congressmen shall nominate the post
masters in their districts and it may be
stated that they will accept and have
confirmed all such nominees, provided,
of course, the man is not personally
Objectionable to either or the senator's.
The congressman may be relied upon to
nominate men who have done nothing
to make themselves Objectionable to the
senators.
PRESENT SYSTEM.
The election of a Democratic pres1-
dent will witness the passing of the
scandalous referee system" which has
so long been in vogue in the south. The
system has been the result Of condt-
lions. In Georgia, for instance, there
has been no Republican IN either branch
of congress and the president has al
ways relied upon his referee" to make
satisfactory recommendations for office
holders Col Walter Johnson, United
States marshal at Atlanta, and Capt.
Henry Blum, Jr, postmaster at Savan-
nah. were the Georgia referees for many
years. but just now Henry jackson, OF
Atlanta, holds the whip hand and would
be referee in the event of Tafts re-
election.
johnson and Blur parcelled out the
postoffices as they saw fit and their
recommendations usually were followed
by the president. In only few. IN
stances were their selections objection
able to the people and in such cases
the Georgia senators defeated the con-
frmation of the Objectionable person.
1t may be said to the credit of both
Colonel Johnson and Captain Blum that
as a rule they sought to please and
did please the people.