The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-12-26
TAEI'S ACCUSERs
UTTER UNTRUTHS
Says He in His Message to-
Congress Relating 10
Use Of Civil Service.

/ + WARRINGTON, d. G., Dec. 20
President Taft late yesterday after
noon gave Congress his opIn.on OF
! tic charge that he had been playing
pol.tlcs in his recent executive order
putting $4,000 fourth class post
masters under the civil service. The
president made the counter charge
that his accusers on the floor OF the
Houee were telling 'uatruths" and
dcclered that be deeply regretted
the failure OF Congress to pass leg
islati'n which practical y would de-
lstroy the spells system.'
Criticism has been made of this
order on the ground that the motive
WAS political" sad the president
Nothing Could be further from the
itrutA. Tho order was made before
the election and in the interest OF
efficient public service. have sew
IcraI times requested Congress TO
give me authority TO put first, sece-
ond and third class postmasters and
all other lacal officers, including IN
ternal revenue officers, customs Off
GERS. United States marshals ana
the local agents OF the other depart.
ments under the classification o:
the civil service law by taking away
the necessity OF confirming such ap-
po.ntments by the Senate. deep
Ily regret the failure OF Congress to
follow this Recommendation. The
change would have taken out OF pol
itics practically every local Office
and would have entirely cured the
evils growing out Of what, under
the present law, must always re-
main a remnant OF the spol!s sys-
tenn"
The presidents advice to Congress
was contained in his third message O..
the year. sent in late yesterday at
temoon. 1t was devoted largely to
a review of the accomplishments of
several government departments
not touched upon in previous mes
isages. and TO recommendations for
Legislation. Tho president advo-
Gated: Legislation which would
permit members of the cabinet to
cit in either house OF Congress, with
the right to enter into debate and
answer questions, but without a
vote.
Tho addition OF the postmaster
generals plan for a reimbursement
iof compensation to railways carry
ing mails especially in view OF the
conditions which will exist under
tho parcels post law.
a revision OF the land laws to Sc
ure conservation and at the same
time assure prompt disposition OF
land that should be turned over to
private ownership.
Legislation affecting Alaska
which would provide for leases of
coal lands and in respect to mining
cIstnls' the disposition or oil, phos-
phatc and potash lands in the Uni
tod States.
An act of Congress which would
legalize a court authorized to review
decisions on the pure food law such
as are now made by the Remsen
board,
In this connection the president
approved the creation Of tho REM
sen board by former President
Roosevelt, hut said the time had
come for Congress to recognize the
necessity for "a tribunal Of appeal"
In pure food cases.
While We are struggling to sup
press an evil of great proportions
like that OF impure food said the
president. I'VE must proyide the
machinery IN. the law itself to pre-
vent its becoming an instrument of
oppression aud We ought 10 enable
these whose business is threatened
with annihilation to have some tri-