The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1912-11-16
BILL MURRAY
IN OPEN LETTER

Tishomingo, Okla, Nov. 15.-Hon
VIM. H. Murray, ''The Sage of Tish-
omingo," and congressman-elect-at-
large, gave out today the following
letter touching patronage in Oklaho-
ma. Mr. Murray's mail has grown to
such volume that he is unable to an
swer it, hence this letter
TO the Democrats:
Profoundly grateful that l lead the
ticket both in August primary and
also in the general election over all
candidates in the state except Senator
Owen, shall enter congress with a
full sense of my obligations to my
friends a d the people.
1t shall be my purpose to assist
earnestly in carrying out all party
pledges, exercising sound discretion,
having constant regard for the coun-
try's welfare.
Touching the question of patronage
have to say that an official cour-
tesy" has existed for long time which
permits the members of the U. S.
senate to control in the appointment
of federal judges and U. S. attorneys
and marshals and to the foreign serv-
ice, while congressman control in the
appointment of postmasters and the
Indian service. / shall not attempt to
break in upon this arrangement of
"courtesies,' over Senator Gore and
Senator Owen by exercising my influ-
ence with President Wilson, except
shall exercise the right to oppose TO
the last extremity by appointment of
any map Objectionable to me, who ap-
plies for any position
l earnestly request that all applica-
tions for position in the postal or other
service to write me a letter stating
their intention to make application,
but do not send me any letter or petit
tions of endorsements and do not ex-
pect me to answer until March 4, as
my>term does not begin until theE and
| must devote my time to my private
affairs until March 4, when | shall
have secretary to assist me mad
when 1t will be my duty to devote my
entire time to the people of the state.
l wish especially all to understand
{hoA shall 1,o cr,,of nf,,1 fre INV nj or,
and that the only sad duty I shall
have is to decide between friends
where more than one applies for the
same position, but | will endorse no
man unless he be both honest, COM
petent and worthy of the position; l
therefore request all applicants to Sc
cure letters (rather than petitions)
from truthful and responsible persons
within their acquaintance who are
willing to state on their honor that
they personally know the applicant
and know him to possess either one
or all the following traits of character
sobriety, honesty and competency and
whether his family before him were
upright and of good standing. A few
such letters, signed by truthful and
responsible men, are worth more to
me and to the incoming Wilson's adj
ministratio nthan petition merely
recitlng their desire to have the man
appointed, though it might be signed
by an hundred or more Therefore !
request all to get their letters of en-
dorsement ready but to retain them
till March, since in all probability
postmasters for the most part will be
permitted to continue until their time
expires. shall especially request
President Wilson to make q change
in the u. S. attorneys and mashals in
Oklahoma at once in order to stop
federal interference with the states
enforcement of the grandfather
clause OF our election laws
Remember no one senator or con-
gressman will control all the patron
age in Oklahoma, but | will do the
best can for my worthy friends, and
when two or more OF my friends apply
for the same Office if they would get
together, it would make it easier for
me to do something for either of them
my support would not therefore be-
come divided strength.
VIM. II. MURRAY