Montpelier examiner., 1913-01-10
HELD UP IN SENATE
GREAT NUMBER OF PREslDEN.
TIAL NOMINATIONS ARE
uNcoNFIRMED.
DEMOCRATS ARE MODERATE
Probably VIII Approve Taft's selee'
tions for Offices In Republican
stronshoIds - Wilson Doubtless
viii Name New Ambassadors and
Ministers.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

Washington. OF all parties
say that never within their memory
have there been SO many presiden-
tial nominations held up in the senate
as is the case at the present time.
II has happened that great many
vacancies In the federal service, from
the federal bench down to the small
est presidential postmastership. nave
occurred Within tle last few months.
and 1T is President Taft's duty to NIL
them Naturally the Democrats, know
Ing that they win come into power In
all branches OF the government IN
March, desire some of these places for
their party members, and as a result
1t Is likely that good many OF the
nominations will fail of confirmation.
and an opportunity will be given to
the Democratic president to name
men of his own liking for the places
1t is nov apparent, however. that
there will be no attempt OF the Demo
Gratis to hold up nominations ior
places in Republican strongholds, or
ior places which have no present
hold-over incumbents In them The
party leaders say they do not believe
in crippling the service in any way.
and they admit the presidential
right" to name men for places where
the Republicans have been and still
are in control
The entire representation N the
United States senate from the south
is Democratic, and at conference Of
he Democratic senators called to con-
slider the patronage question Z was
agreed that the outgoing administra-
tion should not be permitted to I'LL
the Offices in the southern states
where the Republicans are in a hope
lees minority
How Approval Is Withheld.
Now 1t would seem that, the Repub-
licans still being in a majority In the
senate, the presidents present ap-
pointments might be confirmed, no
matter what action the Democrats
might choose to take. but methods are
peculiar in the United States senate.
Senatorial courtesy" so called. takes
cognizance of the objection Of the two
senators from any one state to the
confirmation of any man appointed to
federal office in that state
There is another condition which
wars against the senate's present ap-
proval of the presidents nominations,
or at least Of good many of them.
While the Republicans have a major
ity in the senate, there are good
many Progressive-Republicans who
have not acted with their party Dreth-
rem on any subject of moment for
long time The Progressive-Repub.
licans have said that Mr.. Taft has
given all the offices o the other fac.
tion of the party. and that they 60
not care to countenance what they
call unfairness by giving approval to
prizes given where they should not be
given.
Diplomatic nominations probably
will be confirmed at this session, for
the reason that all such nominations
can be revoked at the will of the
president at any time. This means
that President-elect Wilson. as soon
as he comes into office can request
the resignation of all the higher diplo-
matte officers. The designations will
he forthcoming at once.
When March comes all the ambas,
sadors of the United States to foreign
countries will tender their resigna.
tions in a body, Some of the imnis.
ters will not do SO unless their resig.
nations are requested direct 1t is en-.
tirely probable, however. that all the
ministers will be informed that laeir
designations will he acceptable 20 the
new administration.
Income Tax Law Soon7
| II seems certain from present
indications that an income tax
law. which the. Supreme court will
not. because 1t cannot. declare uncon.
stitutional, will be passed by congress
and signed by Woodrow Wilson be-
fore he leaves the White House in
1917. II seems to be taken for grant,
ed that Mr. Wilson win not seek a
second term. and SO the date of re,
| tirement is here so fixed A man NAV
| change his mind in four years. how.
| ever. and the influence of today NAV
not be the influence of tomorrow.
| Congress learned from the Supreme
court that It did not have the author
ity to enact federal income tax law
1t was this knowledge that led to the
| proposal of simple amendment tc
the constitution giving the law-mak
ers the power which they sought II
is necessary that thirty-six states give
their sanction to the amendment be
fore 1t can become operative AL
ready thirty-four states have passed
affirmatively on the proposition. When