The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-09-20
SENATORS AND
THOSE FLORIDA
APPOINTMENTS
DID THE CABINET HEADS AT
WASHINGTON DOUBLE CROSS
BRYAN AND FLETCHER-THR
IMPORTANT OFFICES AND THE
MEN WHO GOT THEM.

The Jacksonville Metropolis says;
In the appointment of Judge j. F. C.
Griggs, of Apalachicola, as collector Of
customs for the district of Florida, and
J. B. Perkins of Pensacola, as United
States marshal for the northern dis
trtct of Florida, Secretary of the Treas
ury McAdoo and Attorney General Nc
Reynolds are believed by many to have
put one over on Senators Fletcher
and Bryan. It would doubtless be
more appropriate to say put two
over"
Here are reasons for the thoughts
that are arising from the minds Of the
political busyboys:
Judge Griggs was not a candidate
for the collectorship, but wished to be
marshal of the northern district, and
his appointment to that position was
regarded as certain. He had the friend
ship of both senators in this fight, i
is understood and had not given one
second of thought to the collectorshin
for which place he had endorsed John
T. G. Crawford After John Martin
had been disposed of. Senator Fletcher
was declared to be in favor of former
Mayor W. H. Frecl1er, of Tampa, who
was championed by the senator's
cousin, Sam Fletcher. A. J. Angle, also
of Tampa, claimed that Senator Bryan
favored him
McAdco Liked Grisgs.
Griggs happened to have met Sec
rotary McAdoo on one occasion, and
made an excellent impression upon the
expatriated Georgian. While in Wash
ington Griggs called on Secretary Nc
Adoo in company with Congressman
Emmett Wilson. When the two Flor
idians entered the secretary's office
McAdoo is said to have addressed
Griggs in his bluff wayne doo IS
reputed to be "sone cusser''-aad ex-
pressed the hope that Griggs was an
applicant for some position in his de-
partment mo, I am not" Griggs Is
said to have replied, "but 1 have en-
dorsed my friend. John Crawford, for
that place and sincerely hops you can
appoint him"
--------~4S parkman on Job.
congressman esTy1srI-s4sss=a Is -yaid to
have put cog into Frecker-s aspira-
tons by giving grounds Of opposition
to Secretary McAdoo. Then Col. Spark
man suggested to a Washington cor
pers that there was a possibility Of
Griggs getting the Florida collector
ship, and not the narshaIs job. The
first Griggs heard of the possibility of
his appointment as collector was from
this correspondent, and no one wa
more surprised than the Apala chicola
man at the announcement. The SEN
ators naturally offered no opposition
because of the popularity and ability
Of Griggs, but this question arises:
Didn't Secretary McAdoo, possibly
influenced by Congressman Sparkmal,
decide to appoint Griggs, regardless Of
the attitude of the two senator's, who
were regarded as champions Of can
didates from Tampa"
AS Col. Sparkman would never con-
sent to F'recker being named, prefer
ring even a man from another city, it
looks as if he and the secretary, or
the secretary alone, named James Fen
imore Cooper, Etc, Griggs over the
heads Of the two senators. Griggs was
appointed and confirmed in the short
est time ever recorded in a similar
case, it is said, and Secretary McAdoo
was behind every movement in his be-