The Washington times., 1913-01-29
PATRONAGE AND THE SENATE.

Some 1000 appointments by President Taft, t,
various Federal offices or promotions in the army
and navy, are being held up in the Senate because
the Democratic Senators object to their con6fma.
ton. The Senates rule of unlimited debate makes
the hold-up possible. The Democrats declined to
permit votes to be taken, and now the Republican
caucus has determined to force continuous sessions
in the hope of wearing out tine Democrats and fore
ing them to permit votes.
1t looks like chd's play in one way; like cheap
patronage grabbing in another Yet it is the logical
outcome of the program which the Taft Adminstra-
ton adopted during the Congressional campaign of
1910, when the patronage power was deliberately
devoted to the purpose of destroying the insurgent
Republicans. That was pitiful exhibition of bad
political judgment for the country resented the
terprise and repudiated the Administration in most
emphatic fashion. Every insurgent against whom
the patronage hold-up had been invoked enthus-
iastically reelected.
Since that time the Administration has held back
hundreds of nominations that ought to have been
made, merely for political effect. For year and
more, before the Chicago convention of last June,
the President declined to make nominations in many
cases. 1t was desired, in this way, to keep incum-
bent and aspirant on the anxious seat, and to in
sure the loyalty of both to the President The pro-
ceeding duly fabricated the pregnant hinges of a
good many pairs of knees but its final results were
hardly more satisfying than they had been in the
campaign of 1910.
The conventions being over and the nominations
made it was still necessary, according to the small
bored political policy of the Administration, to
tnue the same proceeding. Vacancies would not
be filled until after election it was understood ;;
the aspirants who remained "loyal' TO Taft who re-
fused to support Roosevelt would be favored Again
the pregnant hinges bent and men who had stuck
,y the Administration through the pre-conventon
campaign in the hope of being paid in appointments,
continued their devotion in the nope that after elec-
ion, at any rate, thrift would reward their fawnng
That explains why great arrears of overdue ap-
continents have accumulated. Mr.. Taft is now try
ng to pay the political debts that we're incurred as
he price of his support in the nomination and also
n the election campaign. Small wonder that Demo-
rats. and Progressives as WE'LL are so disgusted
With this species of office brokerage that they are
prepared to indulge extreme methods to break down
he project.
II is unfortunate that military and naval promo
ions should be entangled in this affair The Senate
ought to single them out for confirmation Nothing
an be gained by holding them up, and it is an in
ustce to both the service and the individuals in
yolved
But there is the best of reason for refusal 10 con-
irm any appointment that represents a delayed re-
ward for political loyalty 1t is notorious that Mr.
aft never would have mad chance to be nominated
wen with the aid of fraud and grand larceny, if the
,atronage had not been used as it was used The
sprants for pap were given to understand that the
rice of their appointments would be their support
# Taft The time has come to pay that price, and
ought not to be permitted. The Democrats and
'rogressves are really making fight for decency
nd for clean politics. This is precisely the time to
erve notice on the present and all future Presidents
hat the Senate will not permit the unblushing pur.
hase of political support by wholesale, with ap-
ointments to Office 1t is ruinous and demoraliz-
ng business. ,z.--, ......,