The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-01-22
WILSON BELIEVES
IN REAPPO|NTING
EFFICIENT MEN
Puts Himself on Record When
Labor Leaders Ask Place
for Cosgrove
REPUBLICAN NOW
HOLDS THE OFFICE
Governor States Satisfactory
Fulfillment of Duties En-
titles Consideration for
disappointment

PRINCETON. n. J., Jan. 2i.--In
replying to the demands of a labor
organization for recognition in APP
pointment 70 public office today,
President Elect Wilson laid down the
principle that public office is not
worth anything, il an entirely salts
factory fulfibment of the duties of an
office does not entitle a man TO re-
consideration for reappotntment"
The governor was comhatted in his
view. and added epigrammatically
that "gracefulness is easy and justice
is hard When the spokesman for
the delegation urged that they would
have him depart from his beaten
rath" to the extent Of recognizing
their candidate. the governor replied
that the beaten path leads to scoop
ing every Office"
The labor delegation came to ad-
vocate the appointment OF John Il,
Cosgrove as commissioner Of labor.
There were about fifty labor leaders
in the delegation from every part Of
the State. Samuel Botteriil. 4 mem
her of the executive committee of
the State council OF the Brotherhood
of Carpenters and Builders was the
spokesman. Cosgrove is a Demo
GRAFT. Colonel Lewis T bryant, the
present occupant of the office, is a
Republican, appointed by Governor
Wilson's Republican predecessors, and
whose term has oyerIapped that Of
Governor Wilson. His term is about
to expire.
May Reappoint Bryant.
Governor Wilson in his talk made
II plain that he intends to reappotnt
Colonel Bryant, despite the fact that
he la a Republican and for no other
reason than he has given thorough
" satisfactory administration of the
department OF labor. and deserves re-
appointment In addressing the gov
ernor, Mr.. BotteriIl called attention
TO the proposed organization of a ma
tionai department of labor, ard de-
clared that labor man would he APP
pointed 10 head this department. II
the United States government would
grant this much to labor. he thought
the State of New Jersey could we'll
afford To do so. Mr.. Botteriil re-
serred vaguely to two sides TO the
labor question" and tq the hostility
that has been shown to labor" The
governor evidently miSlptarrroted
Shese remarks. for he replied that ne
thought the speaker was going "a lit
tie far
The governors response follows:
Reply of Governor Wilson.
There is another side in the mat
ter which must be taken into consid-
GRAFTON IN Justice ana All EpbStutEG-
ton of public. Public Office is not
worth anything. gentlemen. IL an en-
tirety satisfactory fulfillment of the
duties of an Office does not entitle a
man 10 consideration for re-appoint-
rnent. TX is not worth anything IL
men are to know that a mere change
ct administration is To empty an Of
2sss.~4ass- tte.-4s.1a,- +la44-- A-s
served to he reappointed. there is not
a. IL 1s..Aa.
left. / feel TO the full extent the ar
gument you have made in favor of
Mr.. Coggrove. but / haven't Il clean
slate 10 write on. If we were Great
ing this office. your arguments would
he different / am bound To consider
the claims Of man who has devoted
Il can myself testify as much en-
ergy and ordor Of spirit to this office
as any public officer has shown. While
| shall be happy tn consider the
claims Of Mr.. Cosgrove. / owe il TO
myself TO say this / think you went
q little far | do not need to say To
this company that | entirely sympa-
thize with the aspirations of labor.
and that I entirely recognize the
rights of labor, but as the RESPONSE
biiity appointing officer ! am bound
to consider the name of a man who
has made good as Colonel Bryant
has, sGulanei Bryant lsssts made good.
and ] ara FseuEd ts consider vSais
claims. I would be ashamed of my
self if | did not. | was bound to
tell you that, while not discounting
in the least what you have said in
favor Of Mr.. Cosgrove. l will con-
slider your recommendation"
Mr.. Botteriti said:
Would IL Not be GRACEFUL
Would it not be justice and mercy
TO appoint labor man? Would 1t
not be GRACEFUL
Governor Wilson replied:
az, &c naS nj L.