The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1912-12-04
A Perplexlng Question at
Washington.
Hard to Tell Whether a Ger
tain Civil Service Law
VIII Be Revoked.
TAvENNER SAYS TO GO EASY
(By Clyde H. Tavenner.)

Washington, NOV. 3O.-EVeryoouy
wants to know about the distri-
button of Patronage under the new
administration. Every member OF
Congress of Democratic faith is re-
ceiving inquiries and applications
by the hundred.
came on to Washington at an
earlier date than | intended, to try
to discover the prospects OF what
will be done in a general way, but
have found out nothing valuable or
tangible. There is much guessing
and newspaper talk; but that is all.
All things concerning the distribu-
ton of patronage are up in the air,
so to speak. President-elect Will
son, who Is resting in Bermuda, has
not. so far as is generally known,
given any indication of his inten-
ton on this subject. Nothing def
mite will be known until he speaks.
The only things certain at this
writing are:
1. President Taft has by execu-
tive order placed all the fourth
class postmasters under the Civil
Service; that is, all postmasters
drawing less than $1,000 per an
mum. This means that the present
fourth-class postmasters will hold
for life, or during good behavior,
unless President Wilson revokes
President Taft's order. Whether
he will revoke 1t nobody knows.
2. Most of the places worth hav-
ing except those which have to be
confirmed by the Senate have been
for some time under civil service.
This greatly lessons the number OF
positions formerly available.
8. For twenty years the custom
has been for federal officials APP
pointed for four years, such as
postmasters. U. S. Marshals. etc., to
serve out their terms unless they
took part in politics during their
terms. Whether this custom will
be continued 1t Is impossible to say.
4. President Taft is said to have
declared his intention to FIJI all va
cancies as soon as they occur. But.
whether the Senate will confirm his
appointees, or hold up their nomi-
nations, 1t is impossible to even
guess. ... 49,, i
5. The custom has been for the
patronage of any particular State
to be directed through the Sena-
tors and Representatives thereof
who are of the same political per-
suasion as the administration. IL
any such there be, and If none
such, then through the national
committeeman or some dependable
friend or friends. Under this ar
rangement Representatives are de-
pended upon to recommend post
masters in their own districts while
Senators are depended upon to rec
ommend postmasters In Congress
ional districts not represented by
Congressman of the same political
faith as the PRESIDENT. Senators
are also depended upon to recon-
mend for marshalships and Offices
of that kind, including department
al positions and places in the consul
lar and diplomatic service, and in
fact all Offices not local. OF
course, as rule, the Senators con-
suit with Representatives in these
matters, all trying to do the most !
possible for their constituents.
6. What scheme for selecting
postmasters. ETC., President Wilson
and his Cabinet may adopt is who'll
ly conjectural. Some advocate one
plan and some another. Conse-
aueltly 1t might be best for those
intending to be applicants to let
matters rest until the situation
clears up somewhat.