The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-05-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The appointment Of Col. Sherlock
Swami to be postmaster of Baltimore,
in spitesof the fact that the four members
Of The House of Representatives whose
districts lie wholly or partly in Baltimore
had recommended another candidate,
and in spite OF the fact that Senator
Smith was not even CONSULTED by Presi-
dent Wilson. has created the impression,
apparently that the Maryland delegation
in Congress will not be considered in the
disposition of the patronage, and that
William L. Msrbury will name all the
other federal Offices in Maryland as be
did tne postmastership in Baltimore
1t is evident that Mr.. Marbnry and his
friends have felt so greatly encouraged
ny their success IN the case of Baltimore
that they will now make recomme nda-
tions for all other important postofices in
the state. Only few days ago Repre-
sentative Covington. was amazed to learn
that the postmaster recommended by Mr..
Marbury's friends in Millington, Kent
county. was about to be appointed, and
it was only by a personal appeal to Presi-
dent Wilson that Mr.. Covington was able
to postpone the appointment.
Now Mr.. Mafbury and his friends have
gone even into Representative Lewis dis
trict TO test their strength at the White
House. Mr.. Marbury has interested
himself in H. D. Billmeyer as postmaster
at Cumberland. Mr.. Lewis district was
believed to he immune from Mr.. Marbury
because Mr.. Lewis has not been regarded
IS being In sympathy with Senator
Smith. Mr.. Lewis accordingly. believed
that the Cumberland postmastership was
settled chen he recommended Mr.. Henry
Bell, and Representative Smith Joined in
the recommendation. But il has now
become evident that Mr.. Marburry's1
friends will contest the Office.
~
This administration vigorously repu-
dates the suggestion that the patronage
will be used by President Wilson to pass
the tariff bill in the Senate. 1t is none
the less the fact. however, that there is
no present intention of appointing any
more important postmasters in Maryland
until after the tariff bill has passed the
Senate.
-
Congress is busy with the Tariff. That
is to say, the Democratic Caucus is busy
with it. Day after day for the past weeks
the Caucus has been wrestling with sucl,
problems as free wool and free sugar.
There have been long heated debates be
hind closed doors between the advocates
of free wool and a wool tariff. between
those who want free SD gar and the friends
Of tariff on sugar. and so on down the
line from agate /, zinc.''
~
The developments indicate how wise
Chairman Underwood was when he de-
cided toilet '.thd boys ''blow off steam''
in the caucus and voice all Of their oh
;jections and protests to various items in
the bill before sending it to the House.
Throughout il all Mr.. Under sood held
himself well in hand. suilinely listened
sto'th~ oratory on the floor. and finally.
when the time came. ma shalled his
forces and calmly voted down all objec.
itions. item by item. aud the bill--barrins
perhaps some trivial chsnges--s,ood at
last just as il did when il was presented
to the caucus for its verdict
~
Through all of the tariff talk. the
patronage fights. the reconstruction of
the governmental machinery. due to a
change in party ascendency. there has
been lack Of turmoil excitement and
uncertainty at the White House which
has pleased friends Of President Wilson
aud possibly surprised his opponents. -
for enemies he seems 10 have none.
Whatever democrats may think. the re
publicans appear to agree that the Presi-
dent is conducting himself credi,ably. es-
pee ally with respect TO the choice OF men
for public Office.
~.
Members of Congress are showing
much interest in the progress of the San
1
Diego Exposition In general. Congress
feels that expositions are valuable as
public educators They induce many
people 10 travel who Otherwise would no,
move beyo d their own township They
offer especial Inducements in the way Of
lower fares. ingenious routes of travel
and moderate prices for entertainment