Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-11
Presidents Reelection Cam
paigns Held Illuminating.
WORKS SCORES PATRONAGE
Both "Pernicious and Obnoxious"
California Senator Says.
WOULD ALTER CONSTITUTION
Taft Praised for Advocating Civil
Service for All Governmental
Positions.

Senator Works of California pronounced
"humiliatihg and pitiful'' the spectacle of
President of the United States going on
the stump for his own reelection and
pronounced "a vicious political system
the "pernicious and obnoxious custom of
having the President use his appointive
power to build up political machine for
his own denomination and reelection in
speech in the Senate today urging the
adoption OF an amendment to the Consti-
tuition fixing a siX-year term for the chief
executive and prohibiting a reelection.
If this change were made he said
the American people would be spared the
huniliating spectacle of President of
the United States travelling up and down
the country. guarded by an army officer
and private detectives, making political
speeches and urging his own reelection.
The White House would not be turned
into political press gallery managed by
the secretary to the President. The Off
cial head of this great nation would be
free from the overpowering temptation to
use his office and his power, as such. to
secure second term. Time was when
President of the United States was looked
upon a disgrace to the nation and un-
worthy of candidate therefor
Not for Any Candidate.
Senator Works made 1t clear that his
speech was not in the interest of any
one candidate for President against an
other, but he desired the constitutional
change Ito prevent the Presidents hold
ing a second term. with all the evils re-
sulting from the use of patronage to Sc
cure denomination and a reelection.
Senator Works said he has had hope
that there would once be a chief execu-
tive with moral courage and determine
obnoxious custom Of going around the
country making speeches in his own be-
half and building up a political machine
under his feet
Il have been disappointed" he con-
tinued. Il realize that the temptation to
follow the custom and thus secure a re-
election Is a tremendous temptation. So
far it has been an overpowering one
Consequences of System.
Continuing he said:
Let us look for a moment at the conse-
quences. or some of them, that flow from
his condition of things. The President
has the power to appoint thousands of
public officers. They are found in every
city. town and village in the country.
Every one of these appointees, from q
cabinet officer down, with very rare ex-
ceptions, considers himself as owing po-
litical allegiance to the President person.
ally. In fact, with most of them, this
personal political allegiance is looked upon
| as far more binding than their official OBJ
legation to the public.
when the presidential term of Office is
about to expire you will find them ALL
from the highest to the lowest, lined up
for him and supporting him for second
term. II they are capable Of 1t they take
the stump in his behalf. If not stump
orators they belong to the gum-shoe bril-
gade that works SO effectually with the
individual voter. The question of his fit
on fundamental governmental questions
has no weight with them. He is their
political chief, as they understand, and
their support is his absolute right"
But there is another consideration of
no little weight with the Presidents ap-
pointees. If he is not reelected they
will lose their jobs, and thereby the
country be deprived of their most val
the people of this country are satisfied
with this condition? Certainly they arc
not. They do not believe in 1t. 1t is
custom that has been under public CEN
sure and condemnation from the time
it was inaugurated.
Desires Merit System.
1T is not alone that such a system
| enables the President to build up a great
political machine, with representatives i'll
every county OF every state in the Union,
through which he may force his re-
nomination, that it meets with public
Condemnation, but because it imposes "a
burden upon the presidential office that it
ShO,1d Whv ShOnll the PFpSi-
dent be burdened with the appointment
of the thousands of federal officials now
subject to his choice? Why should sena-
tors and representatives in Congress be
burdened with the power of recommend
ing applicants for appointment or given
that right? Why should not these ap-
pointments be placed under the classified
civil service rules and made to stand
upon merit and not on political or per-
sonal favor of senators or any one else.
Senator Works then found opportunity
for a word of praise for President Taft:
Il am glad to know that the present in
cumbent of the office of President has
recommended that this be done. 1t does
him credit. 1t is evidence Of the fact that
he recognizes the evil Of the present sys-
TEN and is willing to see 1t destroyed. l
hope his recommendation in this respect
may be needed and acted upon favorably
by Congress.
Senator Works proceeded to show the
immense power of the federal office hold
ers in the south in bringing about the
denomination of President. Southern
states that are, with one exception. uni
formiy democratic, he showed have 3G6
delegates to the republican national con-
yention, enough generally to control the
result.
The 41,OD republicans in Georgia. he
said, send 3 delegates to the republican
convention while the 214,OGO republicans
IN California have only =; delegates.
Georgia never contributes republican cleo
tors. he complained. while California
prac ically always does.
1.-The basis of the apportionment IS the
fault of the republican party" he con-
tinued, "and has no excuse. The fact that
a candidate for President because he is
at the time the incumbent of the Office
can use this condition to insure his own
success. Is the fault OF vicious system
which has grown up under that provision
OF the Constitution that am seeking to
have changed"
TO DISCUSS SOCIAL PROBLEMS.