Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-03-20
postmaster General Burleson at
Work on Two Methods to
Benefit Democrats.
TAFT PUT JOBS OUT OF REACH
Plan for Patronage Distribution
Will Also Be Submitted to
the President by Mr.,
McCombs

Washington, March 13.--Postmas-
ter-Gencral Burlcson is expected soon
to present for the Presidents consid-
Grafton plan which will open to
democrats the $1,000 third ami fourth
class postmastcrships converted into
the civil service recently by Mr.. Taft
Mr. Burleson said tonight that he had
not vet decided whether to ask the
President for revocation Of this or
der or not If he decides against ask
ing for revocation he will then sug-
gest that postmasters who benefited
by the Taft order be required to pass
a merit test which would be open also
to others. If the President took the
first course. thousands of postmaster
ships would be available at once and
if he chooses the other democrats who
entered the merit competition would
have as good Il chance as republican
incumhcnts
Mr. Burleson and Chairman McCombs
of the democratic national committee
have settled upon a plan for patron
age distribution which also Will be
submitted to the President shortly.
The President will be advised to go
upon the principle that any man VINO
suhscribcs to the democratic platform
and shows his belief in democratic
principles is politically fit for office
Personal fitness, of course. Will be
considered first but the question Of
state factions or preconvention alli-
ances will have little weight.
The appointment to-day of John Skel-
ton Williams as assistant secretary of the
/ I,. on
( ample of the selection of an independent
| democrat.
The selection of Beverly 7. Galloway to
be assistant secretary of agriculture is
regarded as an appointment in which poll
tical affiliations We're not considered since
! he has served in that department through
several administrations. The nomination
of state Senator Franklin II. Roosevelt
to be assistant secretary Of the navy re-
, calls his opposition on many occasions to
Charles f Murphy of New York Rep
rcscntativc Edwin +. Sweet of Grand
Rapids was picked for tn" assistant sec
| retaryship Of commerce with the endorse
mont Of Representative Beakes of MiChi-
gan progressive leader of the Michigan
democracy.
John skeleton Williams of Virginia. to-
day nominated by President Wilson as
assistant secretary OF the treasury, is cX-
pccted in Washington tomorrow to he
ready to take the oath of office when his
nomination is confirmed. Mr.. Williams
who was president of the Scaboard Ali
Line railway and controlling figure IN
its management for a number of years
IS a successful banker and one of the
| In, h.,
Chairman william f. McCombs of th'
democratic national committee told Presi'
dent Wilson to-day, during a conference,
at the White House, that he preferred
not to accept the post of ambassador t.
France, that he might remain in privat,
life and probably retain the Craftsmanship
of the national committee. President
| Wilson urged Chairman McCombs not tC
definitely decline the offer until he haC
considered it further and Mr.. McComb!
| agreed to do so.
Mr.. McCombs declared the Presiden
had determined to pick out diplomat,
representatives solely on a basis Of abl
ity rather than wealth. It is the Pres.
dents wishes to have the United state
represented abroad by the most capab,
men, even though they may not be abb
to live up To the social presidents of thei
predecessors.
limitations have been received in Wash
ington that Richard Olney might declln
the post of ambassador to Great Britain
} offered to him by President Wilson
Friends with whom Mr.. Olncy has beer
in communication thought to-day that tn
veteran diplomat would not accept tn
post because his law practice had be
come 50 extended that he did not feel
possible TO abandon that work at tn
present time. kilograms have been dis
patched to him by many close friends O
President Wilson urging him to accept