The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-05
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
(By Clyde II. Tavenner, special
Washington Correspondent Of The

Washington Correspondent Of The
Reporter.)
Washington, Nov. 30.--Everybody
wants to know about the distribu-
ton of patronage under the new adj
ministration. Every member of con-
gress of democratic faith is receiv-
ing inquiries and applications by the
hundred
l came on to Washington at an
earlier date than l inteded to try
to discover the prospects of what
will be done in a general way, but
tangible. There is much guessing
and newspaper talk; but that is all.
All things concerning the dstribu-
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 intention
on this subject. Nothing definite
will be known until he speaks.
The only things certain at this
writing are:
l. President Taft has by execu-
tive order placed all the 4th class
DOstmasters under the civil service,
that is all postmasters drawing less
than 1000 per annum. This means
that the present fourth class post
masters will hold office for life, or
during good behavior, unless Presi-
dent Wilson revokes President Taft's
order. Whether he will revoke it
nobody knows.
,. Most Of the places worth ha"-
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 ayalla bic.
3. For twenty years the custom
has been for federal officials appoint
ed for four years, such as postmast-
ers. Z. S. marshals, etc, to serve out
their term unless they took part in
politics during their term. Whether
this custom will be continued it is
impossible to say.
4. President TAFT is said to have
declared his intention to fill all va
cancies as soon as they occur. But
whether the senate will continue to
confirm his appointees, or hold up
their nominations, it is impossible to
even guess.
5. The custom has been for the
patronage OF any particular state TO
be distributed though the senators
and representatives thereof who are
OF the same political persuasion as
the administration, if any such there
be, an1 if none such. then through:
the national committeeman or some
friend or friends. I'm
der this arrangement representa-
tives are depended upon to recon-
mend pOstmasterS in congressional
districts not represented by con-
gressmen of the same political faith
as the president. Senators are also
depended upon to recommend for
marshalship and offices of that Kind,
including departmental positions
and places in the consular and diplo-
matte service, and in fact all offices
not local. Of course, as a rule, the
senators consult with representa-
tives in these matters, all trying to
do the most possible for their con-
stituents. i
6. What scheme for selecting
postmasters. etc, President Wilson
and his cabinet may adopt is wholly
conjectural Some advocate one
plan and some another Conse-
NCClllIt II lllISuI NC DSot ICi liiooC
to be applicants to let
rest until the situation
clears up somewhat; but where one
or more aspirants for a particular
place start in to secure sgners to
petitions, accommodations, etc, it !
might be wise for all aspirants to |
do so too.
1t has been figured out by some of
the newspaper correspondents in the
national capital that Mr.. Wilson,
when he enters the white house on
March 4th, will find that he has the
power to fill directly 1O,S39 gov
eminent positions. They declare
the appointive places requiring con-
firmation are divided as follows:
Departments AL; treas
ury, 1856; war Excluding army 6;
justice, 1888; postofflce, 1858; navy
{ Excluding officers) II; interior.
272; agricultural, 3; commerce and
labor Excluding census) %; civil
service commission, 4; government
printing office, l.; interstate COM
merce commission, I; and library Of
congress. /.
The places not requiring confirma
ton by the senate are thus divided:
rtments-State, "a; Justice,
SAG; interior, A; commerce, s; civil
service commission, I.