The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-01-22
President-Elect Wilson Dis
cusses the Selection of
Official Positions
PRESENTS VIEWS TO
LABOR DELEGATION
Will Make Appointments With Re-
gard to Efficiency in Public Serv-
ice and Merit-Does Not
Fear Class Opposition

OASIS upon which PreSident-elect Wilson
will make his appointments to Offices.
he indicated today.
Governor Wilson had occasion TO de-
clare himself in this connection when a
delegation of 30 men representing various
labor interests nude an earnest plea FOR
the appointment of a democrat to fill the
state commissionership of labor now held
by republican.
No Reason for Displacement
John T. Cosgrove, a democrat and la
Dor leader. was urged for the position to
succeed Colonel Lewis T. Bryant, incum-
bent. who was appointed by republican
governor
The President-elect told the delegation
he recognized the force of their argu-
ment that labor should be represented
in the government by one who knew its
interests. but he saw no reason to dis
place Colonel Bryant, who had perforni-
ed his duties faithfully and efficiently.
The Presidenr-eect set forth the prin-
ciple that justice and not graceful
ness Recognition of servoces and not
politics. would give him in the distri-
button of public offices.
The argument advanced by the delega-
tion to the governor was that as the ma
tional government was about to create
a department of labor the laboring men
should be recognized by having one of
their own number chosen in both the
federal and state bureaus. The governor
replied:
Public officers are not worth any
thing if they do not perfom their duties
and vouch for reappointment. A mere
change of administration is too empty a
matter to empty the office. no matter
the office and there is nothing of JUS
tice or public right left. ! feel to the
extent the argument. in favor of MIR.
crossrove. but have no clean slate
to write on. II we were creating this
office, your arguments would be diff
ferent. / do not need to say to this
company that l entirely sympathize
with the aspirations of labor, and that
I entirely recognize the rights of Ia
bor but Colonel Bryant has made good
and / am bound to consider his claims.
would be ashamed of myself If 1
did not
Would 1t not be justice and mercy
to appoint labor man? Would 1t not
bt SfdCtlul. utl butitifit, SpOhSS-
man for the delegation, asked.
"Gracefulness is easy and Justice is
hard" sighed the governor, and the dis
cussion ended.
Not Bothered by Class Opposition
The colloquy took place in the big
anti-room just outside of the governors
office. Previous Mr.. Botterill had re-
marked that Mr.. Cosgroves appoint
ment might not be exactly acceptable TO
the manufacturers and employees
"Oh, class opposition does not affect
me one way or another" quickly in
terrupted the governor.
Later in the day another delegation
of labor men appeared in Mr.. Bryant's
behalf. Incidentally Mr.. Wilson set
forth in the day that he Recognized
the right of labor organizations to be
represented in the government and in
dicated that in the creation of a nation
al department of labor he might fol-
low that course.
Among the governors callers today
was Representatives S. W. Beakes
of Michigan Mr.. Beakes outlined con-
ditions in Michigan. stating that the
democratic organization there had not
exerted itself to its fullest powers to
obtain the election of democratic
United States senator. National Chair
man william f. McCombs will be here
Thursday for conference with the
governor.