The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-01-10
GREAT NUMBER OF PREslDEN.
TlAL NOMINATIONS ARE
UNcoNFlRMED.
DEMOCRATS ARE MODERATE
Probably Will Approve Taft's selee.
tions for Offices In Republican
strongholds ~ Wilson Doubtless
viii Name New Ambassadors and
Ministers.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

tial nominations held up in the senate
as is the case at the present time.
1t has happened that great many
vacancies in the federal service. from
the federal bench down to the small
est presidential postmastership, have
occurred Within the last few months.
and it is President Taft's duty TO NIL
them. Naturally the Democrats, know
ing that they will come into power In
all branches of the government In
March, desire some Of these places for
their party members, and as result
1t is likely that good many OF the
nominations will fail OF confirmation,
and an opportunity will be given TO
the Democratic president to name
men of his own liking for the places.
It is now apparent, however. that
there will be no attempt OF the Demo-
Gratis to hold up nominations for
places in Republican strongholds, or
for places which have no present
hold-over incumbents In them. The
party leaders say they do not believe
in Gripping the service In any way,
and they admit the presidential
right" to name men for places where
the Republicans have been and still
are in control.
The entire representation in the
United States senate from the south
| is Democratic, ant at conference OF
| the Democratic senators called to con-
slider the patronage question it was
| adY mil nj
ton should not be permitted to NIL
the offices in the southern states
where the Republicans are in hope
less minority
How Approval Is Withheld.
Now 1t would seem that, the Repub-
licans still being in a majority in the
senate, the presidents present ap-
| pointments might be confirmed, no
matter what action the Democrats
might choose to take, but methods are
peculiar in the United States senate.
Senatorial courtesy" SO called, takes
cognizance Of the objection of the two
senators from any one state to the
confirmation of any man appointed TO
federal office in that state.
There is another condition which
wars against the senate's present APP
prevail of the presidents nominations,
or at least of good many of them.
While the Republicans have major.
ity in the senate, there are good
many Observation-Disclosures who
have not acted with their party breth-
rem on any subject of moment for a
long time The Progressive-Repub.
leans have said that Mr.. Taft has
given all the Offices to the other fac
ton of the party, and that they dc
not care to countenance what they
call unfairness by giving approval to
prizes given where they should not be
given.
Diplomatic nominations probably
will be confirmed at this session, for
the reason that ali such nominations
can be revoked at the will of the
president at any time. This meanE
that President-elect Wilson. as soor
as he comes into office can request
the resignation of all the higher diplo
matte officers. The designations vii
be forthcoming at once.
When March comes all the ambas
sailors Of the United States to foreign
countries will tender their resigna
lions in a body. Some of the imnis
tiers will not do SO unless their resig
nations are requested direct 1t is en-
tirely probable, however. that all thu
ministers will be informed that tnei
designations will be acceptable to thu
new administration.
Income Tax Law Soon7
Il seems certain from presen
indications that an income Ia,
law, which the Supreme court wi
not, because 1t cannot. declare uncor
stitutional. will be passed by congress
and signed by Woodrow Wilson be
fore he leaves the White House Il
1917. 1t seems to be taken for grant
ed that Mr. Wilson will not seek
second term, and so the date Of re
tirement is here so fixed. A man ma
change his mind in four years. how
ever. and the influence OF today ma
not be the influence Of tomorrow.
Congress learned from the Suprem
court that it did not have the author
ity to enact federal income tax Law
It was this knowledge that led to tn
proposal OF simple amendment I
the constitution giving the law-mal
ers the power which they sought.
is necessary that thirty-six states Civ
their sanction TO the amendment bt
fore 1t can become operative. A
ready thirty-four states have passe
affirmativefy on the proposition. Whe
two, more of the states fall into lin
the national legislators can pass a
most any kind of an income tax la'
that they choose.
The middle west. Ohio. Indiana, III
nois, Missouri, Iowa. Kansas and til
other states which ordinarily are i
the front rank OF real progressive les
islation, have sanctioned income ia
legislation by the United States cor
gress. States which have rejected tn
amendment are Utah. Rhode Island
New Hampshire and Connecticut.
In ten states no action on tn
amendment yet has been taken. Mass