Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-04-03
TO
Be DECIDED IN
7HIRT DAYS
Wade and Reed in Wash
ington Discussing the Pie
Cutting; Pepper Makes a
Statement Oil Jobs.
[BY E. H. HANsON.l

washington, d. c., April 2-Repre-
sentative Pepper has received 10
many queries from friends and sup
porters in the second district "a ~
why he doesn't make some Immediate
announcement as to his disposition Of
offices that he has felt compelled to
issue "a general statement on condi-
tions.
All of the Offices which are now
open and within his disposal will like
" be disposed of within the next thir-
ty days. Those which are not direct
ly under his supervision but which he
will have something to say about, in
the districts not represented by demo.
cratic congressman and for the state
at large, will also be given out some
time within the thirty days immediate
ly following the convening OF congress
unless present plans miscarry.
Judge M. j. Wade national commit.
teman, and N. F. Reed, state demo
cratic chairman, are in Washington to
go over patronage with Representa-.
tiyes Pepper, Connolly and kirkpatrick
and while they are here the slate for
the six federal Offices, district attor-
neys, marshals, and collectors for the
northern and southern districts, will
likely be agreed upon and presented to
the different departmental heads for
their consideration.
Referring to patronage matters, Mr..
Pepper said:
NATURALLY great deal of my time
is taken up now with matters concern
ing patronage. / do not blame or
criticise anyone for seeking public
Office. 1t is worthy and laudable
ambition and don't know Of any way
for man to secure preferment of this
kind except to ask for 1t. From my
I have concluded that
most things in life worth having are
worth asking for. OF course, there will
be disappointments and criticisms. My
idea is that we should first Of all en-
deavOr to secure good men for these
offices. Qualification for the particu-
lar office Is and must be the first test.
So also should men selected to hold
these appointive offices be those who,
are in entire sympathy with the pres
ent administration and willing to de-
fend and sustain 1t.
These Offices do, not belong to me
nor to anyone else. They belong to
the people and regard whatever
power or influence that may have IN
their distribution as public trust. The
unpleasant part of it all Is that often
times I'll have to choose between
friends. Doubtless I'll make some
mistakes, but through 1t all am go
ing to make careful and painstaking
investigation in each and every case,
and will then do what believe to be
right"
Should Not Delay Too Long.
Mr.. Pepper himself is happy in the
method which the president has pur-
sued in naming new officials. He be-
lieyes that Mr. Wilson would have
made tremendous mistake to turn all
OF thes Office holders out right at the
start Of his administration and fill
their places with democrats. How
ever, he believes he will make a misI
take If he waits too long before putting
efficient democrts into the high places
for he Is facing a severe test and he
needs friends, true friends In every
place of influence, so that there can be
no dissension and undermining In his
own forces. AS fast as he can find
the particular men for the particular
places, he should name them, In Mr..
Peppers opinion.
4 / al a l +. u : ! : 8 H. ! Il