Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-12-06
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
By CLYDE H, TAvENNER,
Washington, D. c.. Dec. 2, 1912.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 2. 1912.
Everybody wants to know about the dis
tribution of patronage under the new ad
ministration. Every member of Congress
of Democratic faith is receiving inquire,
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 genera
way, but have found out nothing valuable
or tangible. There is much guessing and
newspaper talk, but that is all, Allthings
concerning the distribution of patronage
are up in the air, so to speak. President
elect Wilson, who is resting in Bermuda,
has not, so far as is generally known,
given any intimation of his intention on
the subject. Nothing definite will be known
until he speaks.
The only things certain at this writing
are:
1. President Taft has by executive order
placed all the 4th-class postmasters under
civil service. that Is, all postmasters draw
ing less than $1,000 per annum. This
means that the present 4th-class postmas-
tiers will hold for life, or during good be-
havior, unless President Wilson revOkes
President Taft's order. Whether he will
revoke it no body knows.
2. Most of the places worth having. ex
cept those which have to be confirmed by
the Senate, have been for some time I'M
der civil service. This greatly lessons the
number of positions formerly available.
8. For twenty years the custom has been
for federal officials appointed 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 it is impos-
sible to say.
4. President Taft is said to have declared
his intention to fill all vacancies as soon
as they occur. But whether the Senate
will confirm his appontees or hold up their
nominations it is impossible even to guess.
5. The custom has been for the patron
age Of any particular State to be distributed
through the Senators and Representatives
thereof who are of the same political per-
suasion as the administration if any such
there be, and if none such, then through
the national committeeman or some de-
pendabe friend or friends. Under this
arrangement Representatives are depended
upon to recommend postmasters in their
own districts, while Senators are depended
upon to recommend p0stmasters in Con-
gressional districts not represented by Con
gressmen of the same political faith as the
President. Senators are also depened up
on to recommend for marshalships and
| offices Of that kind, including departmental
positions and places in the consular and
diplomatic service, and in fact all offices
| not local. OF course, as rule, the Sena-
| tors consult with Representatives in these
matters, all trying to do the most possible
| for their constituents.
q What aphauna for aalaptind nOatmnS-
tiers, etc, President Wilson and his cabinet
may adopt is wholly conjectural. Some
advocate one plan and some another. Con
sequenty 1t might be best for those in
tending to be applicants to let matters rest
until the situation clears up somewhat, but
where one or more asprants for particu-
lar place start in to secure signers to petit
| tons, recommendations, etc, 1t might be
wise for all aspirants to do so too.
| II 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 4, will find that
he has the power to fill directly l0,S3S
government positions. The appointive
places requiring confirmation are divided
as follows
Departments State, AL ; Treasury, 1876
War Excluding army. g. Justice. 1888
Post0fiice, 1888 Navy Excluding officers
II Interior. 273; Agriculture, 3; Com
merce and Labor Excluding census). %
Civil Service Commission, 4 Government
Printing Office, Interstate Commerce
Commission 7; Library of Congress. I.
The places not requiring confirmation by
the Senate are thus divided
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, "a; Justice 846
Interior, A Commerce, g.; Civil Service
Commission, /.