Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-10
While Disappointed Job Seek
ers Rage, Politicians Discuss
Influence on Succession.
CABINET NEW FACTOR
IN THE NEXT CAMPAIGN
Friends Defend Action, Others
See Shrewd Move-Bryan
and BurIeSon Loom Up.
By JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES.

WASHINGTON, March 10-The
indictments who are seeking Office I'M
der Wilson declare that in his one revo-
lutionary act of turning over the offices
to his 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 basing
their hopes upon the real or imaginary
record of personal service done to Pres
ident 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 If the sitting
process by the cabinet officer elimi-
mates all but one or two applicants,
that the cabinet officer might as we'll
appoint at once.
Defense of Wilson's Action.
But there is another side and it is
nothing less than truthful to say that
the majority of the disinterested citi-
zens with whom I have discussed this
all-absorbing question believe that Mr..
Wilson has done very wise and very
proper thing, which it is astonishing no
other president ever thought to do be-
fore.
The friends of the president are par
ticular1y enthusiastic in declaring that
he has eliminated the presidency from
the spoils system, and voluntarily and
unseffisllly reinquished his personal
claim upon the future support Of the
officeholders of his administration, In
order to ship himself without handicap
lOI tlie HliSutS Ddtllc VI SGOllOlIlIC anu
political progress to which he has con-
secrated himself
Forecast of 1916.
There are those who take this order
to mean that the president is indiffer-
ent to a reelection, 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 WILL
credited the office seeker, and he be-
ieves that the best road to a re-elec-
ton in 1915 is to ignore the spoils
brigade and devote himself to making
laws and executing them.
And there is a keen group OF prac-
teal politicians-Republica and Dem
ocratic-about the capital who scent
danger to Wilson in the plan, and fore
cast the forming OF cliques and com
binations within the cabinet of the
party for 1916.
Here is some of the reasoning which
these old sleuths of the political game
give out: Wilson and Bryan must sure
Nv 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 VIII never relin-
ouish his desire to be president.