The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-12
FEDERAL OFFICES
PRESENT PUZZLE
Policy OF Administration in Mat
ters OF Appointment Entirely
in Doubt.
WATSON TALKS OF SITUATION
New Congressman Desires Place
on Post-Officc Committee.
Gossip OF Washington.

Much interesting gossip about affairs
in Washington. which at this juncture
possess more absorbing interest than
anything else. and about which there
is more uncertainty than has ever be-
fore existed. was brought to the city
last night by Congressman Walter a
Watson. of the Fourth Virginia Dis
trict. AS one of the new members of
the House, he had an insight Into the
beginnings OF new Congress. while
attending the inauguration and the
House Democratic caucus last week.
Discussing what Senator 'Tilhnan so
graphically describes as the rush Of
wild asses for green corn, Congressman
Watson-it is difficult not to write OF
him as "Judee"-has the same in
formation that everybody else in Wash
ington has including lawmakers
statesmen. politicians and reporters
and that is absolutely nothing. 1t may
be regarded as physical inlpossibility
Tor the President to make all local APP
pointments without the help of ref
erces. so that the naming of presiden-
tial postlnasters must necessarily come
through the representatives in Con-
gress.
But when it comes to Offices in con
nection with the Federal courts and
the collection of internal revenue. no
DouE knows how nor when nor where
the appointee VIII be selected
VIII Serve Out Tcrms.
III seems certain now that RepubIi-
can postmaSters Will be retained until
the expiration OF :heir four-ycar term
except in case of bad service or charges
OF improper conduct This means that
wholesale changes will not be n,de
but that aspirants must await m. ara
OIL existing terms. There are eighteen
presidential post offices in Judge Wat
sons district. IN four of these Tho
terms OF the Republican incumbents
nave already expired In four cases
the terms have three Ia four vears
to run. The remainder win bc scat
tered over the next two years. Judge
watson is in luck in that there i.
only one serious fight over offices which
must be filled 1T an early day.
re thinks the idea that President
wilson had part in the defeat Of
Senator Martin for re election as ,h,ir.
man OF the Senate Democrats c,ucus
mas been practically abandoned in
washington. Nor is it the impression
mat AIR. Bryan took Il hand
De'eEal'ons from Virginia were in
Washington few days a.o urein"
the appointment OF former Iicutenan.
Governor Joseph Il Willard to n din
tomato post. The name of DR. Thomre
nelson Page has been suggested for
an important mission to "a foreign
country. although il is now evident
that ne VIII not go To the court of
|irEinianS Change pIoc..
changes IN House committee as.i-,
'hchtS OF Nireinians will be necessary
as Il result Of tho rule adopted in
caucus providing that membership on
any one OF twelve stated committees
regarded as the most important. pre
.iu"eS u place on any other commit
zee rms was done TO take care of
me large number OF new members
~ bN the operation of this rule
NJ FLOOD must give up the Commit
tee OH territories. Mr.. Glass. Pubiic
nuiiolngS and Grounds, and Mr. Carlin
'oihaee' weights and Measures. Ac
counts, and Elections No s. These
members are respectively. on Foreign
A1a'rs OF which Mr.. Flood is to he
CHAIRMAN; Banking and Currency. Of
"nich Mr.. Glass is to be chairman
ana Judiciary, which contains Mr.. car
lin. - N''
Judge Watson's name is before Tho
WHY'S and Means Committee for a
pl'ce on me Committee on Post Office
ana fost-Roads. This one of the
'"riNc important ones. and he could
not get another committee assignment
congressman y. j. Montague is being
urte" Tor membership on the Com
fnittce on Interstate and Foreign Com
ncrcc.
If there is a referee for virginia
appointments. nobody seems to know
H. nor does anybody credit n ruuor
~ mat Greet Everybody thinks MIR
wilson Will be his own referee.