The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-01-01
Nv GEORGE CLINTON.


Washington.-Leaders Of all parties
say that never within their memory
have there been so many presiden-
tiai nominations held up in the senate
40 is the case at the present time.
II has happened that a great many
vacancies In the federal service, from
the federal bench down to the small
ess presidential postmastership. have
occurred Within the last few months.
and 1t Is President Taft's duty to Ill
them. Naturally the Democrats, know
Ing that they will 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 a 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 now apparent, however. that
there will be no attempt Of the Demo
Gratis to hold up nominations for
places in Republican strongholds, or
for places which have no present
hold-over incumbents in them. The
party leaders say they do not believe
In Gripping 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 in the
United States senate from the south
Is Democratic, and at a conference OF
the Democratic senators called to con-
slider the patronage question It was
agreed that the outgoing administra-
ton should not be permitted to ill
the offices In the southern states
where the Republicans are In a hope
less minority
How Approval 10 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 ONCE in that state.
There is another condition which
wars against the senate's present ap-
prevail of the presidents nominations.
or at least of a good many of them.
While the Republicans have a major
ity In the senate, there are a good
many essiveRepublicans who
have not acted with their party breth-
rem on any subject Of moment for a
long time. The Progressive-Repub-
licans have said that Mr.. Taft has
given all the offices % the other fac
ton of the party. and that they do
not care to countenance what they
call unfairness by giving approvaNto
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
be forthcoming at once.
When March comes all the ambas-
sailors of the United States to foreign
countries will tender their resigna-
lions in a body. Some of the imnis-
ters will not do so unless their resig-
nations are requested direct 1t IL en-
tirely probable. however. that all the
ministers will be informed that their
designations will he acceptable to the
new administration.
Income Tax Law Soonf
II seems certain from present
indications that an income tax
law, which the Supreme court will
not. because It cannot. declare uncon-
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 will not seek
second term. and so the date of re-
tirement Is here 80 fixed. A man may
his mind In four years. how
sver. and the influence Of today may
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.
Il was this knowledge that led to the
proposal Of simple amendment to
the constitution giving the law-mak-
srs the power which they sought II
10 necessary that thirty-six states give
their sanction to the amendment be-
fore Il can become operative. Al
ready thirty-four states have passed
on the proposition. When
two more of the states fall into line
the national legislators can pass al
most. any kind Of an income tax law
that they choose.
The middle west. Ohio. Indiana. I'LL
nois, Missouri. Iowa. Kansas and the
other states which ordinarily are In
he front rank OF real progressive leg
have sanctioned income tax
egislation by the United States con-
xress. States which have rejected the
amendment are Utah. Rhode Island.
New Hampshire and Connecticut
In ten states no action on the
sssGamsnt yet has been taken. Mas