The Washington herald., 1913-03-10
OFFICEHOLDERS
TO retain JOBS
President Will Keep Men in
Places Until Expiration
of Their Terms.
DEMOCRATS ARE JARRED
Hungry Ones Are Chagrined and Fear
Results of Election
in 1914.

Democratic office-seekers were again
Jared yesterday when they learned that
President Wilson has no intention of re-
moving Republicans before the expiration
OF the terms for which they were ap-
pointed. This rule will apply to all ad-
mtnistrative positions where the incum-
bents have nothing to do with the shap-
ing of policy. 1t affects postmasters.
collectorships. bank examiners. and prac-
tically all of the government service out
side of Washington. When this news
became generally known last night
among oftice-seekers and Democratic
members of Congress, walls of rage went
up that rent the air. Coming on the
heels of the announcement that Presi-
dent Wilson would not receive an Office
Seeker at the White House unless he
invited an interview, and that the
spokesman of office-seekers must do bus-
ness with the heads of the various de-
partments. it was brought home to the
faithful that the pickings under the new
dispensation are to be mighty lean. Ac-
cordingly, the Democrats in Washington
are a gloomy lot. and it is the general
expectation that hundreds who came here
happy with hope will soon return home
Howing vengeance on the Wilson admin
istration.
Fourteen hundred Republican NOM
inees, named for appointment by Presi-
ueHt 1aIl lle ClOSlnB OdyS OI his du-
ministration. will not derive any benefit.
of course, from the rule. In practically
all of these cases, embracing appoint
ments in every branch of the public
service, Democrats will be nominated
by the President. But in this batch there
is not nearly enough to go around. Ad-
ministration leaders insist that II would
be impossible to fill the demands of all
who have applied, even If President Will
nrtth hnrfz yrh sol SrnI n
Republican officials.
1t was learned yesterday that the
President will turn a deaf ear to any
one who may be bold enough TO suggest
that the Republicans, fattened by long
years of service, should he turned out
in the cold for the benefit of those af-
filiated with the now-dominant party.
Democrats are Saddened over the pres
ent state of affairs. and fear that unless
there is a change of policy that they will
be up against it in the Congressional
elections of 1914
Democrats Chagrined.
While Democratic leaders are not talk
ing out loud. they make no concealment
of their chagrin over the present drift of
things. They were inclined to be critical
when the President nominated E. L.
Clark, of Iowa, a Republican, for reap
pointment to the Interstate Commerce
Commission. and declared that while John
NJ. Marble, of California, who was ap
pointed to the commission. might be
Democrat. they expressed doubt that he
had worked at it Very vigorously in recent
years. Another cause for dissatisfaction
was the reappointment Of Charles p. Neill
as Commissioner of Labor The Demo-
Gratis admitted that Mr. Neill had admin
istered his Office efficiently, and that he
was popular with labor. but they insisted
that a man equally as fit undoubtedly
could have been found among the Demo-
Gratis who were willing to serve in this
particular office. The appointments men,
toned, and the dissemination of the Presi-
dent to cOuntenance a cleanup of Re-
publican officeholders, indicates to the
leaders that they are to have hard
time of il under the new administration.
Some months ago President Taft issued
orders covering into the classified serv-
ice some $500 postmasters. Democrats
complained bitterly at the time. and pre-
diCtcd that one of the first acts of the
new President would be to vacate the
Taft orders. Present indications are that
Mr.. Wilson will do nothing of the kind.
Iii fact. the impression is quite general
that President Wilson is thoroughly in
sympathy with the merit principle as
applied 10 appointments and promotions in
the public service. Democratic Represen-
tatives apparently are convinced that the
Taft orders classifying fourth-clasS
postnastcrs will stand. If SO. just SO
nany jobs are foreclosed against Demo-
Gratis who counted on landing them.