The coast beacon., 1912-12-28
HELD UP IN SENATE
GREAT NUMBER OF PREsIDEN-
TiAL NOMINATIONS ARE
UNcoNFlRMED.
DEMOCRATS ARE MODERATE
Probably VIII Approve Taft's seIee-
tions for otfices In Republican
strongholds - Wilson Doubtless
VIII Name New Ambassadors and
Ministers.
ey GEORGE CLINTON.


Ministers.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.
Washington. Leaders of all parties
say that never within their memory
have there been so many presiden-
tial nominations held up In the senate
as Is the case at the present time.
It has happened that great many
vacancies in the federal service. from
the federal bench down to the small
est presidential postmastership. have
occurred Within the last few months,
and 1t is President Taft's duty to NIL
them. Naturally the Democrats, know
ing that they win come into power In
all branches of the government IN
March, desire some of these places for
their party members. and as a result
1t is likely that good many OF the
nominations win fail of confirmation.
and an opportunity will be given to
the Democratic president to name
men Of his own liking for the places
1t is now apparent, however. that
there viii be no attempt OF the Demo
Gratis to hold up nominations lot
places in Republican stfongholds, or
for places which have no present
hold-over incumbents In them. Ine
party leaders say they do not believe
in crippling the service in any way,
and they admit ''the presidential
right to name men for places where
the Republicans have been and stiii
are in control
The entire representation IN the
United States senate from the south
is Democratic, and at conference OF
the Democratic senators called to con-
slider the patronage question It was
agreed that the outgoing administra-
ton should not be permitted to hll
the Offices In the southern states
where the Republicans are in hope
less minority
How Approval Is Withheld.
Now it would seem that, the Repub-
licans still being in majority In the
senate, the presidents present ap-
pointments might be confirmed, no
matter what action the Democrats
might choose to take but methods are
peculiar in the United States senate.
Senatorial courtesy" SO called, takes
cognizance OF the objection of the two
senators from any one state to the
confirmation Of any man appointed to
federal office In that state.
There is another condition which
wars against the senate's present APP
proval OF the presidents nominations,
or at least of good many Of them.
While the Republicans have major
ity in the senate, there are a good
many Progressive-Re Republicans who
have not acted with their party breth-
rem on any subject Of moment for a
long time The Progressive-R Repub
licans have said that Mr. Taft has
given all the Offices 0 the other fac.
ton Of the party, and that they do
not care to countenance what they
call unfairness by giving approval to
prizes given where they should not be
given.
Diplomatic nominations probably
Will be confirmed at this session. for
the reason that all such nominations
can be revoked at the will Of the
president at any time. This means
that President-elect Wilson. as soon
as he comes into office can request
the resignation OF all the higher diplo-
matte officers The designations will
be forthcoming at once
When March comes all the ambas-
sadors OF the United States to foreign
countries will tender their resigna-
tions In body Some of the imnis-
ters will not do so unless their resig-
nations are requested direct It is en-
tirely probable however, that all the
ministers will be informed that Lleir
designations will he acceptable 20 the
new administration
Income Tax Law Soon?
1t seems certain from present
indications that an income tax
law, which the Supreme court will
not. because 1t cannot declare uncon-
stitutional, will be passed by congress
and signed by woodrow Wilson be-
fore he leaves the White House In
1917 1t seems to be taken for grant
ed that Mr. Wilson will not seek a
second term. and so the date OF re-
tirement is here so fixed A man may
change his mind in four years. how
ever, and the influence of today may
not be the influence of tomorrow
Congress learned from the Supreme
court that 1t did not have the author
ity to enact federal income tax law
1t was this knowledge that led to the
proposal OF simple amendment to
the constitution giving the law-mak
ers the power which they sought It
is necessary that thirty-six states give
their sanction to the amendment be-
fore it can become operative AL
ready thirty-four states have passed
affirmatively on the proposition. When
~~~>~~.~-~~~~-~~~~~
Be q Helper.
When your neighbor treats you cool
Iy, smile upon him happily: and II he
a. not fool. he ought to laugh an