The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-01-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Tue postmasters Will not De confirmed.
That is just exactly the way il looks now
There are nearly Thousand of the nom
nations now piled up in the Senate, re-
presenting patronage value ~ quite
81, SOC. 900 Think of the huge prize. IL
the Democratic Senators can only hold
it for themselves! And they can lust
little talking and manuvering, and the
trick can be turned.
All doings in the sSenaiesof recent days
indicate that is just what Senate Demo-
Gratis are up to. 1t has required day to
confirm one army officer in promotion,
and il is only little more than four
weeks TO the fourth Of March. when this
Congress expires. and is succeeded ia.
both branches by Democratic majority.
Aud it is dawning upon every body in
the Senate and at the Capitol generally
thai there are mighty poor prospects OF q
single additional postmaster being con-
6rmed. The law permits iucumbeuts
whose four terms have now expired 10
hold over till successors qualify. and there
is no limit on the hold-over period. By
the end Of February there will be 1900
Republican postmasters whose terms
have expired. What rich list Of pat.
ronage that will be for The Democrats. if
they can only hold it, and they nndoubt-
eddy can.
~
Republican Senators are making big
-bluster over the situation, but at heart
they recognize fully the status. They
know what they would do to the Demo-
Gratis if the situation were reversed, and
the Democrats know what the Republic
cans would do TO them. Politicians Of
whatever party understand one another
pretty we'll. The Republicans do not
care so very much about the Republican
Postmasters who are seeking 10 get
another term. They know that most Of
these Postmasters, once confirmed, would
become quite indifferent to party interests
and give attention to their duties. For if
Republican Postmasters were particular.
ly active politically in their communities
the Democrats would speedily be prefer.
ring charges at Washington and using
these charges TO oust them iron, office.
The people. patrons OF these offices,
are largely interested in the matter of
efficiency. and on the whole, outside OF
a few partisaus. probably care mighty
little whether their Postmaster is Demo
crat or Republican. But If in these
!. 200 communities in every State of the
Union the Postmastership is settled upon
q Democrat the agitation in those COM
muniiies for The Office ceases, and that is
matter of moment to the Democratic
Senators and Representatives who are to
control postal patronage for the next
four years,
Anyhow. The Republican incumbents
whose terms have expired. whether they
live in Maine or California or Texas or
Illinois wherever they are-might about
as we'll yield hope. They may just as
well xpect to step down and out about
March 80. after the Democrats have had
time 10 ill their places
~
Western folks are 'out after" their
eieral Judges. In no section Of the
county, probably. are Federal Judges
more unpopular than in sections up and
down the Mississippi Valley and beyond
Perhaps there are cases where the un
popularity is not merited hut things
have come 10 pass where the Western
ci,iz ms are not at all back ward in report.
ing to Washington and to the Democratic
Houseof Representatives when they think
their Judges have gone wrong.
The agitation Of recent years and the
specisl agitation Of the last II months
have encouraged such proceeding. Peo-
pie seem to have learned during very re-
cent times that they cau make II hot for
Federal Judge if they 60 about i. the
Irigh, war.
II used to- be well nigh impossible 10
impeaeh Judge of the United States
Courts There was mol much sentiment
out thru the country in favor Of impeach-
sment and as has often been observed.
sentiment out in the country is great
'soverpinR force upon varionsly consti-
'tuted hodies at Washington.
Bot the agitation out thru the country
has quickened sentiment for holding
Federal Judges strictly 10 the proper per-
''formance Of their duties.
! The rres MT House has already i'm
peaci'rd one Judge and brought him to
trial before the Senate--Robert w.
Arcbhald-and what would have hap
pcned toa Federal Judge in the State of
Washington II he had no. resigned
while house investigators were upon his
frnfl nuossfI - r,n1x. s.aafta~ II