The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1913-02-01


cuIar Letter to Democratic Place
Hunters-civiI Service and Prece.
dent Protect Most of the Present
incumbents.
Although the leaders of the Demo
cratic party naturally are elated over
the result of the last presidential
election, says the New Orleans
Times-Democrat, there is a certain
feeling of uneasiness among the So
called rank and file" over the dis
position of many lucrative govern
ment positions. President Taft's ac-
tion in placing all fourth-elass post
masters under the civil service regu-
lations has had the effect of curtail-
ing many offices which formerly were
given out on the recommendation of
congressman. The presidents step
toward strengthening the civil SER
vice is said to be only in line with
what his predecessors, Roosevelt and
Mckinley, did. Despite the civil SER
vice, however, there are many accep-
table jobs open for those who possess
the requisite fitness and influence. A
question that is harrassing the ma
tlonal committeeman and senators
and representatives in congress is
the manner in which the places are
to be apportioned.
Champ Clark is believed by many
to occupy: a pre-eminent position in
everything appertaining to patronage,
whether it concerns his own state Or
not. AS is that of many other Dem
ocratic lawmakers, his mail is laden
with appeals from those who want
Jobs in the various branches Of the
federal government.
The Democratic speaker of the
house of representatives is busi1y en-
gagged in sending replies to his many
correspondents, and much of the mat
ter contained in his circular letter is
of great import at the present mo-
ment. He touches upon the possiDi1i-
ty of allowing the Republican office
holders, such as postmasters, mar
sha1s and others Of that ealiber, to
serve out their terms less easted.
speeIfIe pur poses cen
ealsI6 S
alone during he past tg el1tty years
until their terms have. ex pired but
whether or not this will be adhered
to remains to be seen.
Nj. Clark's circular letter reads as
follows:
All things concerning the distribu
tion of patronage are up in the air,
SO to speak. Presidents Wilson
has not, SO far as is generally known,
given any Indication of his intention
on the subject. Nothing definite will
be known until he speaks.
Being desirous of aiding as many
Of my Democratic friends as possible
to secure places, I came on to Wash
Ington at an earlier date than I in
tended, to try to discover the pros.
poets as to what will be done in a
general way, but have found out
nothing valuable or tangible. There
is much guessing and newspaper talk.
but that is all.
The only things certain are:
/. President Taft has by executive
order placed all the fourth-elass
postmasters Under the civil service,
that is, all postmasters drawing less
than $1,000 per annum This means
that the present fourth-class post.
masters will hold for life or during
good behavior, unless President Viii
son revokes President Taft's order
Whether he will revoke it nobody
knows.
2. Most of the places worth hay-
ing, except those which have to be
confirmed by the senate, have been
for some time under the civil SER
vice. This renders the number Of
available positions very small indeed.
3. The custom has been for twenty
years to my knowledge, perhaps. long
er, for federal officials appointed for
four years, such as postmasters,
United States marshals, etc, to serve
out their terms, unless removed on
charges. Whether this custom will
be continued it is impossible at this
writing to say.
Il President Taft is represented
by the papers as having declared his
intention of filling all vacancies as
soon as they occur. Whether the
senate will confirm his appointees
Or hold up their nominations it is
impossible to even guess. # his
appointments are not held up we will
see many Republicans holding on
during the full presiden
tial term beginning March f.
5. The custom has been for the
patronage Of any particular state to
be distributed through the senator's
and representatives thereof who are
OF the same political persuasion as
the administration. if any such there
be, and if none such, then through
the national committeeman or some
friend or friends. Under
that arrangement representatives
are depended upon to recommend
postmasters in their own districts,
while senators are depended upon
to recommend for mars shalships and
offices Of that sort, including de-
partmental positions and places in
the consular Snd diplomatic service,
and, in fact, all places not local. OF
course, as r, the senators con-
suit with REPRESENTATIVES in these
matters, all trying to do the most