The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-14
Wilson's Advisers Find
Solutions of Vexing
Patronage Problems.
PARTY FACTIONS
WILL BE IGNORED
All Good Democrats Fitted for
Office, No Difference What
Their Backing-Scheme De-
vised by Which Loyal
Workers Will Be Given
Chance at Post-OHices.

Washington. March 1s.-President
tions of two of the political problems
confronting the administration. which
promised to be most tirouolesome-what
Kind OF Democrats shall get plums from
the political tree and how thousands
OF Democrats throughout the country
can he given lighting chance at least
to get near the tree.
within the next few days Postmas-
ter-General Burleson is expected to
present for the Presidents consitlera-
tion plan which will omen TO Demo-
Gratis the $4,000 third and fourth class
postmasters Fps transferred to the civil
service recently by Mr.. Taft Nj. Bur
ieson said tonight that he had not
yet decided whether to ask the Presi-
deht Tor revocation of this order or
not If he decides against asking for
revocation. he Will then suggest that
postmasters vino benefited by the Taft
order be required to pass a merit test.
which would be open also TO others
IT The President took the firs; course,
thousands OF misunderstanding would
be available at once, and if lie chose
the other. Democrats who entered the
merit competition would have as good a
chance as Republican incumbents
Ever since Mr. Taft issued his ia
nous order. which with q similar one
~ WI INooSeNcIt, put every third and
iourth class postmaster in the country
IN the classified service it has been
subjected to vigorous criticism by Dem
ocrats, who charged that its purpose
was to keep In office through Mr.. Will
sons term thousands of Republicans
VINO VINO were not In sympathy with the
administration and who were given
such protection merely to keen the
Republican political machine in work
ing order. Mr.. Burleson has given the
order serious consideration, and any
recommendation he makes to the Pres
iuetR Is likely to have much weight
Settle Upon Plan.
Mr.. Burleson and Chairman McCombs.
OF the Democratic National Committee.
nave settled upon a plan for pa tronage
distribution. which also will be sub
mitted to the President shortly. If
IT Is followed. the question of whether
candidate for office is backed by "or-
ganization" men or antiorganization''
men VIII not figure when he is weighed
for place. The President will be
advised to go upon the principle that
any man who subscribes TO the Demo
cratic platform and shows his belief
in Democratic principles rs politically
mt for office. Personal fitness. of
course. will he considered first but the
question of state factions or precon.
vention alliances viii have little
weight. This disposition has been
'h''' ~ tilt bdlCt OI DFeSlucntlAl
appointments Some of the most prom
inent men whom the President has
named thus far opposed his nomination
at Baltimore.
The appointment day of John
Shelton Williams as Assistant Secre-
tary OF the Treasury was viewed by
callers at the White House as an eX-
ample of the selection OF an independ-
cnt Democrat
The selection of Beverly T. Gallo
way to be Assistant Secretary OF Agri-
culture is regarded as an appointment
in which political affiliations we're not
considered. since he has served in that
department through several admins
trations. The nomination of State Sen,
ator Frederick ID. Roosevelt to be
Assistant Secretary of the Navy re-
calls his opposition on many occa sions
to Charles f. Murphy. of New York
Representative Edwin r. Sweet OF
Grand Rapids. Mich. was picked for
the Assistant Secrctaryship of Com
merce, with the Endorsement of Repre-
sentative Beakes. of Michigan, pro-
gressive leader of the Michigan De-
mocracy.
Nominations Sent to Senate.
President Wilson sent these nomina- :
tions TO the Senate to-day:
John SHELTON Williams, a banker, OF
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