Atlanta Georgian., 1913-03-10
WILSON PIE PLAN
OPENS TALK ON
1876 RACE
While Disappointed lob Seek.
erS Rage, Politicians Discuss
Influence on Succession.
BY JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES.

WASHINGTON, March 10.-The
malcontents who are seeking office un-
DER Wilson declare that in his one revo-
Rat1onary act of turning over the offices
- mis- cabinet he has avoided the oppor-'
tunity of rewarding them and shifting
the responsibility of turning them down.
Half of the half million men who are
seeking some sort of recognition under
the Wilson administration. are basng
their hopes upon the real or imaginary
record of personal service done to Pres
1dent Wilson preceding his nomination
and during the campaign.
Pie Hunters Indignant.
Ii Is safe to say that one-half. If not
two-thirds OF this ambitious army are
against a change which practically
sweeps the record of personal service
and personal acquaintance out Of con-
sideration. 1t leaves the hopeful as
pirant to pass his claims under the cold
review of a new cabinet officer. who.
perhaps, he does not know instead Of
being permitted to plead his merits, his
service, his character and his campaign
contribution before the president whom
he had personally known or personally
served
The explanation issued from the
white house does not satisfy the mall
contents They say that II the sitting
process by the cabinet officer eIimi-
mates all but one or two applicants.
that the cabinet officer might as well
appoint at once.
Defense of Wilson's Action.
But there is another side and II is
nothing less than truthful to say that
the majority OF the disnterested citi-
zens with whom | have discussed this
all-absorbing question believe that Mr
Wilson has done a very wise and very
proper thing, which 1t is stonishing no
other president ever thought to do be
fore.
The friends OF the president are par
ticularly enthusiastic in declaring that
he has eliminated the presidency from
the spoils system. and voluntarily and
unselfshly relinquished his personal
claim upon the future support Of the
officeholders of his administration, in
order to ship himself without handicap
for the mighty battle OF economic and
political progress to which he has con-
secrated himself
Forecast of 1916.
There are those who take this order
10 mean that the president is indiffer-
ent to a election, and this is an evil
dence that he has agreed with Bryan's
plea for a single term, and is turning
over the patronage to Bryan in advance
of 1916.
There are those who say that VIII
sons theory of success has always dis
credited the office seeker and he be-
lieves that the best road to a re- cleo
tion in 1916 is to ignore the spolls
brigade and devote himself to making
laws and executing them.
And there is a keen group OF prac-
tlcal politicians-Republica and Dem
ocratic-about the capital who scent
danger TO Wilson in the plan, and fore
east the forming of cliques and com
binations within the cabinet of the !
party for 1915.
Here is some of the easonlng which |
these old sleuths of the political game |
give out: Wilson and Bryan must sure |
" fall out before the administration |
term is half over. Two strong men of |
strong connections and dominant per- |
sonalities, accustomed to dictate, can |
not get along together for four years |
of power. Mr.. Bryan will never relin-
quish his desire TO be president.