The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-25
SERVICE FIRST, THEN POLITICS
WILSON OUTLINES HIS PROB
ABLE COURSE IN APPOINT
ING OFFICIALS.
Declines Request of New Jersey Men
That Democrat be Named to Sue
ceed Incumbent, Who is IA Repub-
lican.

Trenton, Jan. 21.-Efficiency in
! public service and the merit system
more than partisan politics will be
the basis upon which President-elect
| Wilson will make appointments to
office, he indicated today.
Gov. Wilson had occasion to declare
himself in this connection when a
delegation Of 80 men representing va
rious labor interests made an earnest
plea for the appointment of a Demo-
crat to fill the State commissionership
of labor now held by a Republican.
John T. Cosgrove, Democrat and
| labor leader, was urged for the posi-
| incumbent, who was appointed by a
Republican governor.
The president-elect told the delega-
| ton he recognized the force of their
argument that labor should be repre-
sented in the government by one who
| knows its interests, but he saw no rea-
son to displace Col. Bryant who had
performed his duties faithfully and
| efficiently.
The governor declared himself in a
speech. He said:
Public office is not worth any
thing if an entirely satisfactory full
fllment Of the duties of the office
does not entitle a man to considera-
ton for reappOintment. If men are
to know that a mere change of ad-
ministration is to empty an office, no
matter how they have deserved to be
reappointed, there is not anything Of
justice or public right left. 1 feel to
the full extent the argument you
have made in favor of Mr.. Cosgrove,
but l have not a clean slate to write
on. If We were creating this office,
your arguments would be different
Il do not need to say to this COM
pany that I entirely sympathize with
| entirely recognize the rights of la
Dor, but Col. Bryant has made good,
and am bound to consider his claims.
l would be ashamed of myself if did
not.
Would it not be justice and mer-
cy to appoint a labor man? Would
it not be graceful?" pleaded Samuel
Botterill, spokesman for the dele
cation.
"Gracefulness is easy and justice
is hard" sighed the governor, and the
discussion was ended.
The colloquy took place in the big
ante-rOOm just outside of the COVER
nor's office. Once Mr.. Botterill re-
| marked that Mr.. CosgrOves appoint
ment might not be exactly accept lble
to the manufacturers and employers
"Oh, class opposition does not af-
feet me one way or another" quickly
interrupted the governor.
Later in the day another delegation
Of labor men appeared in Mr.. Bryants
behalf. Incidentally Gov. Wilson set
forth in the day that he recognized
the right of labor organizations TO be
represented in the government and
indicated that the creation Of
national department of labor might
follow that course.
Among the governors callers today
was Representative l.. w. Beakes
of Michigan. Mir. Beakes outlined con-
ditiOns in Michigan, stating that the
Democratic organization had not ex-
erted itself to its fullest powers TO OBJ
tain the election of a Democratic
United States senator.
National Chairman William. + Nc
Combs will be here Thursday for a
| conference with the governor.
ELECTRIC LIGHT WITHOUT HEAT.