The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1913-01-06
JOBS OF TAFT MEN
MAY END ON JULY |
Democrats Have a Plan to
Place Their Men in Fed
eral Offices.
WORKING ON NEW LAW
Republicans Frightened A
Number of Officials
Would Be Affected.
WORKING ON NEW LAW
tNational News Association

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-The Dem
ocratic caucus Of the Senate probably
on next Thursday will consider a
somewhat startling patronage scheme
from its patronage committee. This
committee was appointed to devise
plan Of action toward the nominations,
which President Taft has sent to the
Senate since his defeat and which the
Democrats thus far have held up. It's
program, if adopted will result in va
eating thousands Of Federal jobs with
in few months after the inauguration
of President Wilson and the substitu-
tion of host of Democratic for Re-
publican office holders.
The scheme originated, it is under
stood, with Senator Clark of Arkan-
Of most of the other members of the
patronage committee. They are all
Southerners, more or less hungry for
rich pickings under the Democratic
inistration-Senator Martin of
Virginia, the nominal Democratic lead
er of the Senate; Stone of Missouri,
Owen Of Oklahoma and Hoke Smith of
Georgia.
Those Affected.
The plan contemplates the enact
ment by Congress of a law that will
terminate next July the terms of of
fee of all Presidential postmasters
district attorneys, marshals, revenue
collectors and other officeholders
whose terms originally were contem
poraneous with that Of the President
and members Of his Cabinet The plan
Is to propose the passage of such a
law at this session Of Congress with
the understanding that in the event OF
Republicans supporting it, all Of the
1900 Taft nominations now being held
up shall be confirmed Immediately and
that all further nominations made by
Mr.. Taft up to March 4 shall receive
favorable consideration at the hands
of Democrats.
OF course the enactment of such a
law would throw open to the Demo
Gratis in a block on July 1 next all the
vast field of Federal patronage. Under
present conditions many Of the Repub
icans who have been appointed to of
fee by President Taft within the las
year will hold over through most O.
the Wilson Administration unless Mr.
Wilson resorts to the removal of Re
publican appointees before their term!
expire. The latter course woult
amount to a return to the most fla
grant practices of the spoils system
and undoubtedly would not be consid
cred by Mr.. Wilson. The proposition
TO hn
effect therefore an offer to trade
lease on official life for unconf1rme;
Taft appointees until July 1 in ex
change for the retirement of all Re
publicans on that date
How Regarded.
Republicans who learned today O
this proposition Immediately announc
ed that it would not be considered 70
a minute. In fact, the Democratic
plan is regarded by Republicans mere
f1y as an attempt to afford a pretex
for continued opposition to the Taf
nominations from now until March 4
They say the Democrats intend to OF
fer an impossible proposition and thel
raise the cry before the country tha
they are justified in opposing the Taf
nominations on the ground that tn.
Republicans have declined to accep
IA fair proposal.
Some of the Democratic advocate
OF the plan, however. contend that If
is not accepted by Republican Sen
ate at this session an effort will b.
made to have a law passed immediate
ly following the Induction Of the nev
Congress. when both branches will b.
controlled by the Democrats, fxin,
July 1 as the date for the expira tiol
of Federal Offices of this character.
The feeling over the patronage ques
ton is beginning to assume seriou
proportions and It is likely to caus
President Wilson more trouble thai
any other. The Republicans now hav
a majority OF eight in the Senate. bu
hey have been unable to accomplis
lnything in the way of confirmation
Iince the reassembling Of Congress.